How to open a laundry business: 4 tips for running a highly profitable laundry shop

According to surveys by industrial laundry equipment units, the demand for laundry services in crowded residential areas and rental accommodations increases by an average of 15–20% annually, especially in major cities. This is why opening a laundromat is becoming a business choice with low capital, stable operations, and low risk for new entrepreneurs.

However, opening a laundromat is difficult, but operating it efficiently is even harder. You not only need to know how to clean the store, maintain washers and dryers, and collect money from coin-operated or smart card machines, but also manage ledgers, cash flow, and promote the store to ensure a steady stream of customers every day. This article will help you understand how to open a laundromat and how to operate it in practice, focusing on the daily tasks required for smooth and sustainably profitable operations.

Tip 1: How to clean a laundromat according to standards, easy to apply

1. Clean washers and dryers

• Remove lint from the dryer's lint filter after each day to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of machine damage.

• Wipe dry the washing machine door area, rubber gasket, and control panel to prevent musty odors and bacteria.

• Quickly check inside the drum for forgotten items or foreign objects.

2. Clean common areas for customers

• Empty trash cans around the store at least once a day.

• Wipe down folding tables, seats, and other surfaces customers frequently touch.

• Sweep and mop floors to prevent standing water and spilled soap from causing slips.

3. Keep the restroom area clean (if applicable)

• Clean sinks, toilets, and floors daily.

• Restock toilet paper, hand soap, and check the water system.

• Ensure no unpleasant odors, as this greatly affects customer experience.

4. Establish a regular cleaning routine

• Create a cleaning checklist for the laundromat daily, weekly, and monthly.

• Note completed tasks to avoid missing anything.

• If hiring staff, clearly instruct them on cleaning standards from the outset.

Tip 2: Regular maintenance of washers and dryers in a laundromat

1. Maintain industrial washer-extractors

• Check the machine door lock daily to ensure it closes tightly and operates safely.

• Observe water supply hoses, water valves, and connectors daily, detecting leaks early.

• At the end of each day, open the washing machine door to allow moisture to escape, reducing odors and mold.

2. Maintain top-load and front-load washing machines

• After each wash, leave the lid or door open to prevent unpleasant odors inside the drum.

• Check all water hoses monthly:

  • Replace immediately if cracked, bulging, or deteriorated.

• Check the water supply hose filter annually:

  • Clean sediment or replace if damaged.

3. Maintain industrial tumble dryers

• Clean the lint compartment daily to prevent air blockage and reduce fire risk.

• Check the drying drum daily, removing foreign objects like coins or metal clips.

• Check the exhaust duct monthly to remove accumulated lint and dust.

• Annual comprehensive dryer cleaning by an authorized technical service provider is recommended.

4. Maintain regular dryers

• Clean the lint filter before each load.

• At least once a year, remove the filter and vacuum the ducting underneath.

• Periodically check the exhaust hose every 1-2 years, depending on usage frequency.

• Regularly observe the outdoor vent cover to ensure the damper opens and closes smoothly.

• In-depth maintenance by a professional technician is recommended annually.

Tip 3: Efficiently manage automatic laundromat revenue collection

1. Collect money from coin-operated washing machines

• Open and collect money from each washer and dryer on a fixed schedule (daily or every few days).

• Count and record the money from each machine to reconcile revenue.

• Quickly check the coin box:

  • Detect jammed coins, foreign objects, or signs of unauthorized tampering.

• Clean the coin slot after collection to ensure stable machine operation.

2. Collect money from smart card washing machine systems

• Only need to collect money at the central card processing machine, no need to open each washing machine.

• Check transaction data on the system to compare with actual revenue.

• Ensure the card reader operates stably, avoiding billing errors that cause customer inconvenience.

3. Establish a clear revenue control process

• Collect money at a fixed time to establish a management routine.

• Record in a ledger or enter into laundry shop revenue management software.

• If there are employees, assign permissions and conduct regular cross-checks.

Tip 4: Record and deposit daily revenue

1. Summarize daily revenue

• Total all money collected from coin-operated or smart card machines.

• Separate revenue sources if applicable:

  • Washers, dryers

  • Sale of detergent, fabric softener

• Quickly compare with the number of machine cycles operated during the day.

2. Clearly record revenue

• Record in a ledger or laundromat revenue tracking file.

• Clearly state the date, amount collected, and notes if there are discrepancies.

• Maintain the habit of recording on the same day to avoid confusion.

3. Deposit money into a bank account

• Deposit cash into a personal or business account.

• Limit keeping large amounts of cash at the store to reduce the risk of loss.

• Retain deposit receipts for reconciliation when needed.

4. Periodically review to assess effectiveness

• Compare revenue by day, week, and month to identify trends.

• Early detection of unusual revenue days allows for timely adjustments.

• Provides a basis for calculating costs and profits when expanding the laundromat.

How to effectively increase laundromat profits

1. Re-evaluate laundromat location

• Prioritize areas with many renters, students, or migrant workers.

• Areas near universities, colleges, industrial zones, and mini-apartments often have high demand for laundry services.

• This customer group often doesn't own washing machines, using laundry services frequently and consistently.

2. Enhance customer experience to attract patrons

• Install snack or drink vending machines for customers to use while waiting for their laundry.

• Arrange a comfortable waiting area with Wi-Fi or simple entertainment screens.

• If space allows, create a small play area for children to keep customers longer.

• These amenities help the laundromat stand out from typical self-service establishments.

3. Expand full-service laundry and drying services

• In addition to the self-service model, offer wash, dry, and fold services.

• Suitable for busy professionals, young families, or seniors.

• Easily increases the value of each order without needing to invest in too many additional machines.

• Helps the laundromat reach a wider customer base, not just limited to self-service users.

4. Reposition the laundromat business model

• Compete not just on low prices, but on convenience and service.

• Combine self-service and full-service options to optimize machine capacity.

• Monitor customer feedback to adjust services to suit the local area.

References

1. Chris Willatt. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview

Translator: Sidney Bailey Hoang.