Repair or Replace? Managing Your Commercial Laundry Equipment’s Lifespan

by Lauren Schultz September 29, 2025 0 Comments

When It Breaks, You Have Two Choices

Every building owner, property manager, or business with on-site laundry has faced the same decision. The washer stops mid-cycle or the dryer will not start, and you're staring at a repair quote wondering if you’re buying yourself time or wasting money.

Do you fix it? Or is it finally time to replace?

At Midwest Laundries, we repair, rebuild, lease, and replace commercial laundry equipment every day. We have seen machines run strong for over a decade with minimal service. We have also seen older units rack up repair bills that make no financial sense. The key is knowing when it's worth fixing and when it's smarter to move on.

This guide breaks down how we help our clients make the right call, based on facts, not guesswork.

What’s the Average Lifespan?

Commercial laundry equipment is built for heavy use, but even the toughest machines wear down.

• Top-load washers: 10 to 12 years
• Front-load washers: 12 to 15 years
• Dryers: 15 years or more
• Stack units: around 10 to 12 years

How long your machine actually lasts depends on usage, maintenance, and environment. A washer in a 60-unit apartment building doing eight loads a day will age faster than one used once a day in a four-flat. If the machine is over 10 years old and needs a major repair, it may be time to consider replacement.

How to Decide: Repair or Replace?

1. Age of the Equipment

Once a machine reaches the back half of its expected lifespan, repairs become less efficient. Older machines may still work, but at a cost. They use more energy, break down more often, and take longer to service.

2. Frequency of Service Calls

If you’re calling for service every few months, something is off. Commercial machines are built to run reliably. When they stop doing that, it affects everything—your costs, your time, and your residents' satisfaction.

Ask yourself:

• Are we fixing the same issues repeatedly?
• Are small problems leading to more downtime?
• Is this machine creating more noise than results?

If yes, it is time to step back and look at the bigger picture.

3. Cost of the Repair vs. Cost of Replacement

Here is a rule we stand by. If the repair will cost more than half the price of a new machine, consider replacing it. Even a few smaller repairs over time can quietly outpace what a new unit would cost you upfront or on a lease.

4. Parts Availability

For older or discontinued models, parts can be hard to find or expensive to ship. Some clients wait weeks for a fix that costs more than it should. If your service provider says sourcing parts is becoming a problem, it might not be worth the wait.

When It Makes Sense to Repair

There are times when repairing is clearly the smart call:

• The machine is less than five years old
• It’s the first or second repair
• The issue is minor wear and tear to parts like belts, pumps, water valve, coin drop, etc.
• You’ve had few or no problems in the past
• Your building does not rely on high volume

We do not sell machines just to sell them. If a fix will keep the machine running well, we will say so. And we will do the repair ourselves.

When It’s Time to Replace

At a certain point, repairs stop being temporary solutions and start becoming wasted money. That is when it is time to plan for replacement.

Consider replacing when:

• The machine is past 10 years and having recurring issues
• The repair costs are adding up or stacking quickly
• The model is no longer supported or parts are unavailable
• You’re getting complaints from residents about performance
• You want to upgrade to modern features like mobile payment or energy-efficient cycles

Replacing does not always mean buying brand new. With leasing and rebuilt options available, there are ways to keep costs down while still upgrading performance.

Why Leasing May Be the Smarter Move

Leasing has become one of the most popular options among our clients for a reason. It turns equipment into a predictable monthly cost and eliminates repair bills.

What you get with a Midwest Laundries lease:

• Commercial-grade equipment
• Professional installation and setup
• Mobile payment system support if needed
• All service and repairs included
• No revenue sharing
• No surprises

Leasing helps you avoid the stress of deciding whether to fix something again. If it breaks, we fix it. If it needs replacing, we handle it. You keep your laundry room running and your residents happy.

Our Process: What Happens When You Call Midwest Laundries

Here is how we approach every repair or replace decision:

1. Inspect the equipment
2. Explain the issue clearly
3. Provide an repair quote
4. Compare that cost to your long-term options
5. Walk your site (if needed) and build a plan that works

Sometimes the answer is a quick fix. Sometimes it is a full upgrade. Either way, we will show you what makes sense and we will stand behind the work.

Time to Make the Call?

Whether your machine is acting up again or you are tired of repair bills stacking up, we will help you figure out the right move. We have seen it all and we will not waste your time.

Contact Midwest Laundries for an honest answer about whether to repair or replace. We will keep it simple, break down your options, and help you keep your laundry room running without unnecessary cost or stress.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if a repair is worth it?
If the machine is under 7 years old, has been reliable, and the repair is less than 40 to 50 percent of a new unit, it is usually worth doing. We can help confirm that with a quick quote.

Q: How fast can you replace a machine if I go that route?
In-stock equipment can often be delivered and installed within 2 business days, especially in the Chicagoland area. We carry a wide range of rebuilt and new units, so you are not stuck waiting.

Q: Can I upgrade my payment system at the same time as replacing a machine?
Yes. Many clients take the opportunity to modernize their laundry room when they replace older machines. We install mobile systems like PayRange or Laundroworks alongside equipment upgrades all the time.

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