High-capacity washing machines

Why adding a large washer to your mix pays off

An 18 or 27 kg washer changes the customer profile: you capture families with duvets, sofa covers, sleeping bags, work uniforms or any bulky item that will not fit in a household machine.

The average ticket for these cycles is far higher (£6–12 per cycle) than a standard wash. It also drives loyalty: customers return every season to maintain bulky textiles.

Capacities and typical uses

Installation considerations

• Requires a reinforced base, as specified by the machine manufacturer
• Three-phase electrical connection
• Minimum water pressure as specified by the machine manufacturer
• Ø50 mm drain
• Floor space ≥ 1.2 × 1.4 m per unit

Recommended products for high capacity

Large loads require proportional dose adjustments. Our Technical Service calibrates the pumps according to each machine's capacity.

How to dose in a large-capacity washer

The dose is calculated per kg of dry laundry, but a duvet fills the whole drum while weighing far less than the rated capacity. If the pump is always set for a full drum, these loads get more product than they need.

Too much detergent in thick fillings creates foam and leaves residue that the rinse cannot remove. The practical answer is to give the duvet and blanket programme its own dose, separate from the everyday laundry programme.

With detergents such as Power Gold, the data sheet gives 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry depending on soiling, at about 40 ºC. The softener Power Soft + is applied in the final rinse at 5 to 10 g per kg of dry laundry.

Frequent mistakes with duvets and blankets

• Overloading the drum: if the item has no room to move, the centre is not properly wetted or rinsed.
• Using a small machine: a duvet in a drum that is too small comes out poorly washed and strains the equipment.
• Ignoring the care label: down and synthetic fillings have their own instructions from the textile maker; remind customers on your signage.
• Incomplete drying: a filling that stays damp inside ends up smelling. Ask customers to check the inside before taking it home.

How to get the most from your large machine

Put a clear sign next to each machine showing what fits in it, based on the capacity table on this page. Many customers do not know which machine to choose and leave if they are unsure.

Demand for duvets and blankets peaks when the seasons change: that is the time to promote it in your shop window and on your Google listing. Also make sure you have a dryer large enough to take the load, because customers want to leave with the item dry.

Does it need a different product?

Not necessarily. You can use the same detergent and softener as in the other machines; what changes is the calibration of its pump, which must match the capacity and programmes of that washer.