Launderettes remain a firm fixture of Irish high streets. Individuals from all walks of life continue to rely on pay-as-you-go laundry rooms, so setting up and managing a commercial laundry business presents a powerful business proposition with huge market potential.
Of course, as commercial laundry equipment has evolved, so too have the expectations of regular launderette users. That’s why it’s important to consider the type of equipment to deploy in your commercial laundry, so you can deliver for the unique needs and requirements of your prospective customers.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the equipment and features that have come to define a modern launderette, along with key considerations to ensure you get things right from the get-go.
Key considerations before investing in commercial laundry equipment
If you’ve recently acquired a space that you’re hoping to transform into a thriving commercial laundry, there are a few key details to bear in mind before you head out and invest in washers, dryers, and similar laundry hardware.
Available space: How big is your laundry space? And how might size impact usability? Remember, stacked commercial laundry appliances are the perfect solution if floor space isn’t your laundry’s strong suit.
Location: How might the location of your new laundry affect customer acquisition and retention? And are there any potential barriers to trade that might need rectifying as a priority?
The layout of the shop: Is your launderette easy to access? And is it laid out in such a way as to maximise usability and offer a full suite of complementary services?
Demand and customer footfall: What level of customer demand can you expect? And are there any ways to improve footfall by advertising your new facility within the local community?
Available capital: How much cash do you have to invest in your launderette? Are there any untapped finance solutions and revenue streams you could explore to boost cash flow?
Commercial launderette equipment: Which solutions should you consider?
Commercial launderettes must strike the balance between performance, efficiency and affordability while offering peak service levels and maximum functionality to regular users. So, with that in mind, what type of commercial laundry equipment should you consider?
Coin-operated equipment
Coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers remain the most popular solution for launderettes and commercial laundry rooms. Designed to help you maximise revenue, these powerful commercial washers offer the perfect mix of durability, performance and efficiency.
Of course, investing in one coin-op washer and one dryer doesn’t a launderette make. Typically, average-sized commercial laundry rooms feature six to eight appliances, with different capacities available so that customers can process the widest range of items possible (from underwear to blankets and duvets).
Stacked coin-operated machines
As touched on earlier, stacked commercial laundry equipment is the perfect solution if your launderette is tight on space. Also known as ‘tower combinations’, these space-saving appliances can be safely stacked to maximise the usability of your laundry suite, all while offering the simple coin-operated functionality that your customers expect.
Contactless equipments
Cashless commercial launderettes have seen a huge upswing in popularity in recent times, as laundry managers recognise the near-universal switch to contactless payment systems. Coin-op-only machines now present a significant barrier to growth, so investing in appliances with contactless functionality is essential to the long-term success of your commercial launderette.
Depending on the type of launderette, there are a couple of different options for providing contactless payments.
For instance, in private accommodation or university halls of residence, a prepaid laundry card can prove an effective solution – with users able to top up a card before making pay-as-you-go payments. Elsewhere, in a standard high street launderette environment, standard contactless payments with the tap of a card or smartphone could be the way to go.