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When it comes to running a laundry business, you might not think that there’s a lot of room for creativity. It’s simply a place for people to come, wash and dry their clothes, and leave. Perhaps they’ll flick through a magazine or get some shopping done nearby while they wait. As the owner, your job is simply to keep the machines running and collect the coins at the end – but it shouldn’t stop there.

With a bit of creative thought, an enterprising mind, and a willingness to put a bit of hard work in, your laundromat could become the next top spot. Here’s how:

Interiors

For some people, laundromats are immediately classed as vintage. Un-beautiful laundromats have given the whole business a bad rap. Whether it’s stained tiles, drab wallpaper, or lights that are too harsh, they’re sometimes considered not somewhere that people want to spend a lot of time.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case. If laundromats are seen as vintage – embrace it. Spruce the place up with retro colours, vintage posters, and knick-knacks from days gone by. Just simple additions could give your laundry the personality it needs to stand out.

Here are just a few examples of laundromats that have broken the norm:

Whether it’s the windows, the walls, or the washing machines themselves that you decide to focus on, small changes can make a huge difference to the atmosphere you laundromat provides. A few plants here and a pop of colour there can be the difference between the dreary laundromat on the corner and a welcoming place to relax.

Top-Quality Machines

Of course, you could have the best looking laundromat in all of Australia, but if you washing machines and dryers aren’t up to scratch, nobody is going to want to use your services.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t afford the newest upgrade – just simple things like ensuring all of your machines are in full working order, are clean, and aren’t damaging your customer’s loads can be enough to show that you care about the service you are providing.

If you can afford to splash out on new machines, do your research. Look for machines that have an environmental benefit and the newest technology – such as the introduction of credit cards in laundromats so your customers don’t have to carry around coins and struggle to find the right change.

New Additions

If you’re up-to-date on the news in the laundry industry, it’s likely that you’ve heard of Wasbar. Based in Ghent, this Belgian laundromat is much more than just a place to wash your clothes – it’s also a coffee shop, hairdressers, and a place to grab brunch. The stylish interior and range of services available have made it one of the top places for students and families to spend time with their friends – all while waiting for their cycle to finish.

It’s effortlessly haphazard, incredibly cool, and it’s put laundry back on the map for Belgium.

A café/hairdressers/bar/laundromat might be a bit of a stretch when it comes to introducing a new element to your business, but it’s clear that the founders of Wasbar have the right idea. Whether you choose to provide a high-quality coffee machine and some comfortable seating or set up a community bookshelf, where locals can donate or pick up books when they visit, small, simple additions to your business could make a significant difference.

Support Local

The customers of your laundromat might not have an awful lot of things in common, but one thing you can almost be sure of is that they live locally. With that in mind, you might consider bringing some aspects of your community into your business. On a smaller scale, you could provide offers for local customers as a way to earn their loyalty. On a larger scale, you could run events or fundraisers for local charities, or come together with other local businesses to promote each other.

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