Should You Repair or Replace Your Laundry or Drycleaning Equipment?

By Barry Victor, owner and president of PROS Parts 

Deciding whether to repair or replace your drycleaning or commercial laundry equipment isn’t always straightforward. It really comes down to a few key factors—cost, how old your machines are, how essential they are to your operations, and what your long-term business goals look like. 

Let’s talk about repairing first. One of the biggest advantages of repairing equipment is the lower upfront cost. If your machine needs a minor fix, it can often be handled quickly, which means you’re back up and running in no time. Plus, your team already knows how to use the current equipment, so there’s no need for additional training or downtime to learn something new. Keeping your current machines going also means you can preserve your capital for other important things—maybe marketing, staffing, or even expanding your services. And from an environmental standpoint, extending the life of your equipment is a smart move, since it reduces waste and helps conserve resources. 

Of course, repairs aren’t always the perfect solution. If your equipment is constantly breaking down, those repair costs can add up quickly—and in some cases, might end up costing more than buying new. There’s also the risk of unexpected downtime, which can really disrupt your operations. Another issue is that finding parts for older machines isn’t always easy or cheap, though here at PROS, we do our best to help you track down exactly what you need at a fair price. And let’s not forget, older equipment might not be as energy-efficient, which could drive up your utility and chemical costs. Plus, you may be missing out on modern features like automation or remote monitoring that can really streamline your workflow. 

Now, what about buying new equipment? One of the biggest benefits here is improved efficiency. New machines tend to be faster, quieter, and more efficient with water, electricity, and chemicals. They’re also more reliable, especially in the first few years, which means less downtime and fewer service calls. Most new equipment comes with a warranty and sometimes even service agreements, so your maintenance costs could go down. And with features like digital controls, data tracking, remote diagnostics, and energy-saving modes, you’ll be getting top-of-the-line tech that can seriously boost your operations. In some cases, you might also qualify for energy rebates, tax incentives, or special financing deals. 

That said, buying new isn’t always easy on the budget. The upfront cost can be a significant investment, especially if you’re replacing more than one unit. You might also need time for installation and staff training, which could cause some initial delays. Keep in mind, too, that new equipment starts depreciating the moment it’s installed, and resale values aren’t always great. And if you’re financing the purchase, interest and other fees can add a lot to the overall cost. 

At the end of the day, the right choice really depends on your unique situation. But if you decide that repairing your existing equipment is the best move, PROS is here to help. We’ll work with you to find the right parts quickly and affordably, so you can get back to business with as little downtime as possible. 

 Contact us or visit our website.  

About Barry Victor
Barry founded PROS Parts in the spring of 1988. Before starting PROS, Barry worked in the sales and engineering departments of Vic Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning equipment in the U.S. At Vic, Barry launched a parts sales division that supported dry cleaning equipment imported from Italy and Germany. In its early years, PROS manufactured dry cleaning machinery and then evolved into an industrial and commercial laundry equipment and drycleaning operations parts supplier. Barry lives in Plymouth, MN with his wife. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter and his dog, Sora. 

Barry can be reached at 763-231-7379 or barryv@prosparts.com.