Competitive Laundromat Pricing Tips for 2025

Running a laundromat means balancing fair prices for customers while making enough to cover costs. Laundromat owners must keep up with rising costs and more competition in 2025. So, setting the right prices is key. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss how to manage expenses, check local pricing, and create a solid pricing plan. We’ll also share tips on making more money with extra services and loyalty programs. This plan will help you stay ahead while keeping customers happy.

Know Your Numbers  

Before raising or lowering prices, figure out your costs. You’ll need to charge enough to cover your bills and still make money (of course).

Calculate your operational costs  

Every laundromat owner should track their total operational costs, including:  

• Utilities: Water, electricity, and gas rates fluctuate, so monitoring your monthly bills helps you adjust prices accordingly.  

• Rent & lease fees: If you lease your space factor in annual rent increases when planning future pricing.  

• Machine maintenance: Taking care of your machines costs money, but regular maintenance helps keep washers and dryers working well.

• Labor costs: If you hire staff or provide wash-and-fold services, labor costs can add up fast. Be sure your pricing covers these expenses.  

• Taxes: When setting your laundromat’s prices, don’t forget to account for taxes on services and revenue, as these can impact your overall laundromat profit margins and pricing strategy.

Track peak vs. off-peak usage  

Your laundromat likely sees peak hours during evenings and weekends, while weekday afternoons may be slower. Tracking when customers use your machines the most can help you optimize pricing. Some owners use time of day pricing to encourage off-peak usage, which we’ll discuss later.  

Monitor cost per load across machine types  

A large capacity washer costs more to operate than a small machine. Your pricing should reflect these differences to ensure profitability. Compare your machine costs with the revenue they generate to find the ideal balance.  

Check your competition  

Finding the right price means making a profit without driving customers away. To get it right, check the prices at other laundromats near you.

Survey local laundromats  

Visit laundromats within a 3-mile radius and take note of their pricing. Pay attention to:  

• Self-service laundry pricing by machine size  

• Dryer rates and cycle lengths  

• Wash-and-fold rates pricing structures 

• Any additional fees (detergent, card payments, etc.)  

Note competitor amenities and special services  

Some laundromats raise prices by offering things like free Wi-Fi and rewards programs. If others do this and you don’t, look for different ways to bring in customers.  

Identify market gaps  

Is there a service missing in your area? Maybe no one offers pickup and delivery, or self-service laundry pricing is too high. Finding market gaps gives you an opportunity to differentiate your laundromat.  

Smart Pricing Tactics  

After reviewing your costs and checking what other laundromats charge, you can decide on the best pricing strategy.  

Base rates on machine size and cycle type 

Larger machines should cost more per load since they use more water, electricity, and detergent. Similarly, premium cycles (hot water, extra rinse, or heavy-duty wash) should be priced higher than standard cycles.  

Consider time of day pricing  

Offering discounts during slower hours encourages customers to spread out their visits, reducing machine downtime. For example, charging 10% less for weekday afternoon washes can help increase traffic during off-peak times.  

Bundle services for higher value  

Offering bundled pricing on wash-and-fold rates or self-service laundry pricing can increase revenue. 

For example:  

• Family bundle: Discounted rate for washing multiple loads at once.  

• Monthly pass: Customers pay a flat rate for a certain number of washes per month.  

• Wash & dry combo: Slight discount for customers using both services together.  

Profit-Boosting Add-ons  

Pricing isn’t just about the cost per load. Additional services can drive more revenue while providing convenience for customers.  

Premium wash options  

Offering high-quality detergents and fresh smelling boosters can bring in extra money. Many people are willing to pay more for top products.

Fold service pricing  

Wash-and-fold rates can help your laundromat earn more money. Make sure you charge enough to cover labor costs while keeping prices reasonable.  

Delivery service rates  

Pickup and delivery services make laundry even more convenient. Charging by weight or per bag pricing ensures that your rates reflect time and fuel costs.  

Wash-and-fold membership plans  

Loyalty memberships keep customers returning. A subscription-based service, where customers pay a flat fee for weekly laundry pickup, can provide steady revenue.  

Customer Retention Pricing  

New customers help your business grow, but loyal ones keep it strong. Smart pricing strategies can encourage repeat visits.

First-time customer discounts  

It’s great when someone tries your laundromat, but keeping them as a regular customer is even more important. If your laundromat uses Laundroworks hardware, you can easily track and apply these discounts through digital payment systems.  

With Laundroworks' value add kiosks and loyalty card system, laundromat owners can provide seamless first-time customer discounts without manual work. Customers can load value onto a card or mobile app at the kiosk using credit, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EBT, or cash. The system also encourages customer registration, collecting names, emails, and phone numbers, which allows laundromats to offer personalized promotions and track usage patterns.  

A major benefit of this system is automated customer retention strategies. For example, laundromat owners can set up first-time user bonuses, like “Load $10, get an extra $2”, directly through the kiosk. Since customers rarely spend the exact amount loaded, this system helps increase repeat visits—once money is on the card, customers are more likely to return to use the remaining balance.  

Loyalty program structure  

A rewards system that gives free washes or discounts after a set number of visits keeps customers coming back. Digital loyalty programs make tracking points easy.  

Volume-based incentives   

Encourage large families or commercial clients to use your laundromat by offering discounts on high-volume loads. For example, "Save 10% when washing 50+ pounds per month."   

Digital payment rewards   

Customers who use contactless payments or reloadable laundry cards can receive bonus credits or small discounts, encouraging repeat business.  

Laundroworks also allows owners to adjust commercial laundry pricing dynamically based on customer trends. With features like time-of-day discounts or happy hour pricing, owners can incentivize slower times by offering lower rates. This not only fills machines during off-peak hours but also helps first-time users experience the laundromat at a discounted rate, encouraging future visits.

By using Laundroworks' advanced payment and customer tracking tools, laundromat owners can simplify promotions, reduce operational workload, and build long-term customer loyalty—all while increasing revenue.  

Quick Tips for Pricing Success   

To wrap things up, here are some final tips to ensure your commercial laundry pricing remains competitive and profitable in 2025:  

• Raise prices gradually: Instead of large increases, adjust rates in 5-10% increments to avoid shocking customers.  

• Test premium services in small batches: See what customers are willing to pay before fully committing to a new service.  

• Use digital payments to track usage trends: Data helps you make informed pricing decisions.  

• Review pricing quarterly: Keep an eye on costs and competitors to stay competitive.  

• Adjust pricing seasonally: Higher demand in winter may allow for price increases, while summer specials can boost slow periods.  

• Regularly check utility costs: If energy rates go up, consider small price adjustments to cover expenses.  

Why reporting & reviewing data matters   

Great laundromat owners don’t just set prices and leave them. Watching sales, customer habits, and costs helps keep the business making money. With Cents' business management system, you can track data and make better commercial laundry pricing choices.

Final Thoughts   

To succeed in 2025, laundromat pricing needs to be fair and smart. You have to cover costs, stay competitive, and make sure customers get good value. Watching expenses and adjusting prices can help boost profits. 

These strategies work whether you're pricing self-service machines, wash-and-fold rates, or extra services. If you're looking for a way to manage costs and increase profits, Cents' platform can make it easier. Get started today and take Cents for a spin!