How to Choose the Best Laundromat for Your Needs

Let’s face it. Not all laundromats get equal care. In fact, some are pretty filthy. So finding a clean laundromat should be a priority. The best laundromat owners are those who not only keep things spotless but also are attentive, ensuring that a malfunctioning washer or dryer does not hold up each load of laundry.

You might need to use an all-night laundromat if you have a day job or other daytime responsibilities. But be safe. Try to find a place that stays busy after dark, and check the parking lot for ample spaces and room for someone to put a large load of laundry into their car.

Laundromat Appliances, Furnishings, and Other Amenities

Before you commit to a specific laundromat, go inside to check the condition of the laundry appliances.

• Do they have up-to-date, well-cared-for HE washing machines and dryers?
• Do they have top-loaders for those who prefer them? What is the furniture’s condition?
• Are there enough chairs, folding tables, and laundry carts?

Also, check that the washrooms are well-maintained.

Can you stay busy while doing a load of laundry?

Think of all the amenities you see in laundromats, many of them meant to keep customers entertained. But the long wait for the wash and dry cycles to end can get tedious. So you might ask yourself, “Why not buy a candy bar, play a video game, or visit the adjoining spa (if there is one)?”

Many of the best laundromat owners have laundering supplies available for resale – sometimes from a vending machine. You should expect them to have a plentiful paper towel supply in case of a detergent or softener spill.

The freebies that make customers want to return include:

• Large flat-screen TVs.
• WiFi.
• Books and magazines.
• And sometimes children’s play areas.

 

So, in one way or another, these all augment the owner’s revenues, help keep their laundry business running smoothly, and earn a solid profit.

Does the laundromat charge reasonably?

Most laundromats charge similar amounts; however, you should check the cost of basic services in other laundry businesses. For instance:

• How much does washing and drying a laundry load cost?
• How much is charged for wash-and-fold service?
• What are their payment options (cash, credit, check, etc.)?

Price comparisons like these can help you decide if the laundromat you’re considering offers the best services and amenities for the money.

Is the laundromat well-staffed?

Even the best laundromat owners can’t spend all 24 hours of the day, weekdays or weekends, in their laundromat. Perhaps they have other ventures to run or need the rest to keep up their energy.

So, if they have an all-night laundromat, these owners should know enough to hire additional staff for late-night and early-morning hours. And if the laundromat is busy, more daytime staffing is probably also in order.

Are extra laundry services available?

Do you know you can hire a laundry expert to fold, pick up, and deliver your clothes after washing? They might even dry-clean non-washable garments, such as delicate ones, or those likely to shrink. In fact, depending on which of the many laundry services you select, you might not even need to leave your home.

One-upping Area Competitors

How many laundromats does an area within a two-mile radius need? One? Maybe two? It all depends on the customers you want to target and their lifestyles.

• Is there enough room for customers to park comfortably?
• Is the surrounding area clean and well-lit?
• Are there enough HE washing machines and other high-tech equipment?
• Is there sufficient seating and laundry-folding furniture?
• Is the laundromat bright and appealing inside?
• How well do they market their facilities and services?

Overall, is it a clean laundromat inside and out, and are the washers and dryers in good working order, not on their last legs? If so, you can feel comfortable knowing you picked one of the best laundromats around.

The Best Laundromats in Ohio and Beyond

Laundry One is headquartered in Canal Winchester, Ohio, where we sell wholesale laundry equipment to sell to laundromats, apartment buildings, and other institutions. We also have retail laundromats from West Virginia to Indiana, which continue to grow.

Some of our outlets offer essential laundry services, while others have unique amenities, like the adjoining tanning salons in four of our Columbus locations. Whatever you’re looking for in a laundromat or the latest laundering technology, we can help!