Hannah Forbes
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If you’re running laundry operations in a care home, hospital, university or housing association, your washing machines need to be robust, hygienic, and energy efficient. Forbes Professional supplies some of the best commercial washing machines in the UK, from trusted brands like Miele, Primus and IPSO. Our systems are designed to meet the everyday demands of high-volume laundry, while also supporting infection control, user ease and sustainability goals.
Why choose commercial over domestic washing machines?
Many care homes and housing providers still rely on domestic washers, which often can’t keep up with demand. They aren’t designed for high-frequency use, may not meet hygiene regulations, and are likely to break down more often.
A commercial machine is purpose-built for longevity, efficiency, and compliance. It’s a more resilient and cost-effective solution for organisations that need to process laundry every day.
Using the right commercial laundry equipment ensures long-term reliability, safety, and compliance. We always recommend seeking advice from a trusted commercial laundry specialist to ensure your solution is fit for purpose.
Key Considerations When Choosing Commercial Washing Machines
At Forbes, we guide clients through a full suitability process to ensure the equipment we provide meets all of their site-specific needs. Key factors we assess include:
- Capacity requirements for volume and frequency of washes
- Cycle speed and turnaround time
- Validated thermal disinfection options for hygiene compliance
- Energy and water efficiency to support sustainability
- Machine durability and expected lifecycle
- Ease of use and programmable controls for different users
- Payment system compatibility, including contactless and app-based options
- Available space and access at the installation site
- Existing service infrastructure and integration needs
We’ll help you make the right decisions based on your setting - whether you run a care facility, a boutique hotel, a veterinary clinic, university halls, or a housing portfolio.
Which Are the Best Commercial Washing Machines?
Forbes supplies, installs, and services a carefully selected range of professional commercial washing machines to suit a wide variety of environments. The best commercial washing machines will always depend on your site's specific needs- whether that’s hygiene, capacity, energy efficiency, or ease of use.
We are proud to deliver high-performance commercial laundry equipment from some of the industry's most trusted manufacturers:
Miele
- Sets the industry standard as the premium brand in commercial laundry
- Exquisite German engineering, long machine life, and exceptional reliability across demanding environments
- Known for exceptional hygiene standards and wash performance
- Offers validated thermal disinfection cycles
- Fully WRAS Category 5 compliant, meeting healthcare regulations
- Heat pump dryers cut energy use by up to 65%
- Ideal for care homes, hospitals, PBSAs and high-demand 7 day/ week commercial laundry sites
- Integrated seamlessly with our contactless and app-based pament solutions
Primus
- Engineered for durability and straightforward operation
- Popular with sheltered accommodation providers and HMOs
- Great value, offering high-capacity washers and dryers at competitive pricing
IPSO
- Robust design for heavy daily usage
- Particularly popular in caravan and holiday parks
- Intuitive controls, built-in diagnostics, and optional payment integrations
- Supports auto-dosing systems for detergent efficiency
Huebsch
- Trusted for reliability and long machine life
- Especially renowned for their large commercial washers and dryers
- Offers efficient wash performance and advanced moisture sensing on dryers
- Easily integrates with coin, token, or contactless payment options
Does Forbes help meet hygiene standards?
Yes. In healthcare environments, hygiene is paramount. Our Miele machines are designed with infection control in mind, offering validated thermal disinfection cycles and compliance with WRAS Category 5 standards.
Forbes also supplies auto-dosing systems and compatible detergents to support low-temperature wash efficiency without compromising hygiene.
Does Forbes support sustainability targets?
Absolutely. Sustainability is a key part of our service offering. Our Miele heat pump dryers cut energy usage by up to 65%, helping our clients reduce both emissions and costs. We also:
- Offer full carbon footprint data
- Encourage heat pump technology adoption
- Use hybrid delivery vehicles
- Run operations using 100% renewable electricity
- Promote equipment rental to extend product lifespan and reduce waste
Our circular economy approach ensures that returned or end-of-life machines are refurbished, reused, or responsibly recycled.
What kind of after-sales support does Forbes provide?
We offer nationwide coverage with our in-house team of trained engineers, and every client receives:
- Same- or next-day breakdown response
- Preventative maintenance visits
- Full support with parts, repairs and servicing
- Ongoing account management
- Optional rental or purchase models, with maintenance included
Is commercial laundry machine installation included?
Yes. Our two-person teams deliver, install and commission the machines at a time that suits your site. We conduct pre-installation site surveys, prepare access plans, and ensure full regulatory compliance from the outset.
Can Forbes handle multiple sites?
Yes. We’re experienced in managing laundry solutions across multi-site contracts, from housing associations and care groups to hotel groups, university networks and PBSA providers. Our centralised service responses streamline operations for clients across the country, enabling a localised response on a national scale. We provide:
- Coordinated rollouts
- Central account management
- Installation planning per site
- Scalable service and support
Does Forbes supply refurbished machines?
We do. As part of our sustainability focus, we offer fully refurbished, pre-loved models at a lower monthly cost. These go through full commissioning and quality checks by our in-house engineers before being delivered to your site.
Does Forbes offer rental plans?
Yes. We offer purchase with maintenance, maintenance contracts for in-situ laundry machines and commercial laundry rental. Our rental plans include everything- delivery, installation, servicing and support- with no large upfront costs. This allows organisations to manage budgets more easily, while keeping laundry equipment fully operational and compliant.
Why choose Forbes?
- Established since 1926
- Trusted partner to public and private sector clients
- In-house engineers- no subcontractors
- WRAS, SafeContractor, and BHTA accredited
- Award-winning customer service
- Committed to sustainability and energy efficiency
Speak to us about commercial laundry solutions
Whether you're upgrading a care home's laundry, setting up student accommodation, or OPL or rolling out a solution across a housing portfolio, Forbes is here to help.
Call our team on 0345 070 2335
