The Lifecycle of a Laundry Machine: When to Repair, Replace, or Upgrade

Laundry machines don’t last forever, and deciding whether to fix or replace them can be tricky. For laundromat owners, property managers, or on-premise operators in hotels and hospitals, even a single machine out of service cuts into revenue and frustrates the people who depend on it.

We’ve been helping laundry operators keep their machines running since 1921, so we’ve seen just about everything. In this blog, we’ll cover how to tell when a repair will do the job and when it makes more sense to replace or upgrade your equipment.

Signs It’s Best to Repair Your Laundry Equipment

Not every machine glitch means it’s time to throw in the towel and buy new. In many cases, a simple repair is the most practical and cost-effective solution for a commercial washer or dryer. Here are a few signs that opting for a repair makes sense:

• Minor Malfunctions: If the issue is relatively small, for example, a washer that isn’t spinning correctly or a dryer that takes a bit longer to dry than usual, it may stem from a worn belt, clogged filter, or faulty sensor. A trusted maintenance specialist can often solve these issues, and a one-time fix can have your machine humming again without a major investment.
  
  

• Inconsistent or Occasional Issues: If your machine usually runs fine and this is the first time it’s acting up, repair is usually the smarter choice. A targeted fix can add years of life to otherwise reliable equipment. It’s the same idea as doing routine maintenance on a car, small fixes keep it running strong.
  
  

• Low Repair Cost Relative to Value: Consider the 50% rule many appliance pros use: if a repair costs less than about 50% of the price of a new machine, it’s usually worth doing. For example, spending a few hundred dollars to replace a simple part is wise if your commercial machine is otherwise in good shape.
  
  

• Warranty Coverage: If your equipment is newer or still under a manufacturer’s warranty, repairs are often the first avenue to pursue. Warranty coverage can substantially reduce or eliminate the cost of fixing the problem. Even outside of warranty, a machine only a few years old is typically worth repairing because it hasn’t reached the end of its expected lifespan yet.

Signs It’s Time to Replace or Upgrade Your Equipment

While repairs are great for many situations, there comes a point when continuing to fix an old machine is a waste of good money. How do you know when that time has come? Below are common signs that it’s financially smarter to replace or upgrade your commercial laundry equipment instead of repairing it yet again.

1. Frequent Breakdowns and Downtime

If you’re calling for service on the same machine every month, it’s probably nearing the end of its life. Frequent breakdowns drain your budget and frustrate anyone who depends on those machines. In a laundromat, too many “Out of Order” signs drive customers elsewhere. In multi-housing or hospitality, downtime means unhappy residents and guests. When repairs become routine, replacement is usually the smarter call.

It’s also worth adding up what you’ve spent on service. If repairs over the last year or two add up to a big chunk of the price of a new machine, you’re better off buying new. A good rule of thumb: when repairs start to cost half of what a new unit would, it’s time to replace.

2. Advanced Age (10+ Years Old)

Commercial laundry machines are designed for years of heavy use, but they won’t last forever. In our experience, most washers and dryers last about 10 to 15 years. Top-load washers are usually closer to 5–8 years, while heavy-duty front-load models can run a decade or longer. Once a machine hits the 10-year mark, even if it still works, it’s smart to start planning for replacement. At that age, efficiency drops and the risk of major failures climbs.

In fact, upgrading before a complete breakdown can save you a lot of stress. As we often tell our customers, if your machines are 10+ years old, quit wasting time on quick fixes and upgrade your old machines. By being proactive, you can avoid the emergency of a dead machine and replace equipment on your own timeline (perhaps taking advantage of sales or financing deals). 

3. Rising Utility Bills and Inefficiency

Rising utility bills are often a sign that your laundry machines are working harder than they should. Older washers and dryers use far more water and electricity than newer, energy-efficient models. A worn-out motor or an aging dryer with poor airflow can double your costs just to get the same load done.

4. Lacking Modern Features that Users Expect

Technology in the laundry industry has come a long way in the last decade. If your equipment lacks the modern features and conveniences that today’s users expect, you could be falling behind. For instance, many consumers now prefer digital payment options or smartphone app integrations over feeding coins into a slot. If you’re still running purely coin-operated machines, you might be missing out on attracting younger, tech-savvy customers. 

5. Business Growth or Changing Capacity Needs

Sometimes the reason to replace or add equipment isn’t that the old machine broke,  it’s that your business has grown (a good problem to have!). If you find that demand is outpacing what your current laundry setup can handle, it’s a clear sign to upgrade. For example, a multi-housing property that has doubled in residents will likely need more machines or larger-capacity units to prevent long wait times. A laundromat seeing increased foot traffic might need to add an extra bank of dryers or swap in some high-capacity washers to serve everyone. As your operation expands, older machines might also struggle to keep up with higher throughput and longer hours of operation, leading to more wear and tear.

A key question to ask is: Does my current equipment’s capacity meet my peak demand? If not, you’re probably overdue to invest in additional or newer machinery.. Falling behind on capacity not only frustrates customers (nobody likes waiting or seeing “in use” on all machines), but it also means you’re potentially missing out on revenue by not serving everyone promptly. New machines can future-proof your operation for years of growth to come.

The Coin-O-Matic Advantage: Support at Every Stage

Making the repair-or-replace decision is a lot easier when you have a knowledgeable partner to guide you. This is where Coin-O-Matic comes in as more than just an equipment vendor; we strive to be a complete laundry solutions provider for our customers. Here are a few advantages of working with Coin-O-Matic when your machines are near the end of their lifecycle:

• Expert Service Team: Our service technicians are factory-trained, highly experienced, and dedicated to keeping your laundry operation running. We’ve seen it all when it comes to laundry machine issues. When you schedule a service call, our team can quickly diagnose whether a problem can be fixed economically or if it signals a deeper issue. We’ll give you an honest assessment and help you weigh repair vs. replacement objectively.
  
  

• Massive Parts Inventory for Quick Repairs: One thing that sets Coin-O-Matic apart is our enormous inventory of replacement parts for commercial washers and dryers. We stock everything from belts and pumps to motors and control boards. In fact, our service trucks arrive like rolling warehouses, stocked with the top-moving parts needed to fix common issues on the first visit.
  
  

• Guidance for Upgrades and New Equipment: When it's time to replace or upgrade, Coin-O-Matic makes the process as smooth as possible. We carry leading brands and the newest models and can recommend the equipment package that fits your specific needs and budget. Are you looking for energy efficiency upgrades? Larger capacity machines? Coin-to-card system conversions? We’ve got you covered.
  
  

• Turnkey Installation & Support: Replacing machines involves more than choosing a model. We handle removal, installation, calibration, and training so your new equipment works right from day one. After install, our support team is always available if you need help.
  
  

• Financing & Flexible Solutions: We understand that budget constraints can delay necessary upgrades. Our goal is to find a solution where upgrading actually pays for itself,  often through utility savings or increased usage, so that you’re not left in a financial pinch. We can run ROI calculations with you to show how a new machine’s efficiency or capacity can improve your bottom line. In many cases, clients are pleasantly surprised to find that a new machine will ultimately generate a profit, rather than clinging to an outdated energy hog.
  
  

Choosing between another repair and a replacement can feel overwhelming. By watching for the warning signs we outlined above, and by working with a partner like Coin-O-Matic, you’ll have the guidance you need to make the best call for your business. Whether that means a quick fix or a full upgrade, our priority is helping you run a profitable, reliable laundry operation.

Give us a call today. We’ll work with you keep your equipment, and your business, running strong.

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