Signs Your Laundromat Needs a Retool: How to Modernize for Improved Profitability

The laundry industry has changed, and customers want more than just machines that work. They want quick, easy, and modern services that make their experience better. 

If your laundromat is struggling to meet these expectations, a laundromat retool might be needed. Better machines, updated payment systems, and improved workflows can help your business grow. 

This guide will help you understand the signs that your laundromat may need updates, offer tips for improvement, and show how Cents can help. 

1. Outdated Equipment

Old machines can cause a lot of trouble. They break down frequently, use more energy, and leave customers unhappy. 

What Happens with Old Equipment  

• Higher Costs: Outdated machines waste energy and water, leading to bigger operating expenses. 

• Frequent Repairs: Older machines break down more, creating costly repairs and making it harder to keep customers happy. 

• Customer Frustration: Customers want reliable machines. If they can’t count on yours to work, they may go somewhere else. 

How to Fix It  

1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Machines: These machines save water and energy, cutting costs and helping the environment.  

2. Look for Smart Features: New machines can track cycles and even let customers check availability online.  

3. Choose Durable Equipment: Go for commercial machines that are built to last and need less upkeep. 

New equipment can help you cut costs and prove to customers that you care about quality. 

2. Inefficient Payment Systems

Coin-operated machines were fine in the past, but today, most customers expect cashless payment options.

Why Cashless Systems Matter 

• Convenience: Customers like being able to use cards, mobile wallets, or apps instead of carrying coins.  

• Less Hassle for You: No more collecting and counting coins, and you reduce the risk of theft.  

• Better Tracking: Digital systems let you track revenue and see which machines are used the most.

How to Upgrade  

1. Use Digital Systems: A payment app lets customers add funds and pay from their phones, making it easier for them to start machines.

2. Simplify Your Operations: Modern payment systems make it easier to track your income and identify trends in your business.

3. ​​Gather Customer Insights: Many digital payment systems, like Cents POS, provide detailed usage reports. This information helps you figure out your busiest times and what customers prefer so you can adjust pricing and deals. 

Cashless payment systems are now a key part of running a competitive laundromat. 

3. Unhappy Customers 

When fewer customers visit or complaints start coming in, it’s a sign to check why people might be unhappy. 

Common Complaints  

• Machines break down too often or take too long.  

• The space feels outdated or uncomfortable.  

• There’s no loyalty program or reason to come back.

What You Can Do  

1. Make Your Space Comfortable: Add things like clean restrooms, cozy seating, and free Wi-Fi to make customers feel welcome. 

2. Offer Rewards: Start a loyalty program with discounts or free washes to thank regular customers. 

3. Get Customer Input: Ask for feedback through surveys or comment cards to see what they enjoy and what can improve. 

Making customers feel important encourages them to stay loyal and recommend your laundromat to friends. 

4. Operational Inefficiencies

A laundromat needs more than good machines. Poor organization can lead to lost profits. 

Problems with Inefficiency  

• Workers spend extra time on tasks that could be handled by technology. 

• Supplies like detergent and parts run out because inventory isn’t organized. 

• Decisions are made without using helpful data, which can hurt business growth.

How to Improve  

1. Use Technology: Tools like Cents Business Manager can handle scheduling, inventory, and customer data for you.  

2. Automate Tasks: Set up reminders for maintenance or use systems that track machine performance automatically.  

3. Monitor Your Business: Look at reports to see what’s working and where you can improve.

4. Employee Scheduling: Automate schedules to match demand. For example, increase staffing during peak hours and reduce hours during slow times.

5. Maintenance Alerts: Smart machines with IoT can let you know when they need repairs, helping you avoid big problems. 

Running your laundromat efficiently helps you save money and time, and customers will see the improvement. 

5. Increased Competition

Other laundromats and even home laundry services are raising the bar for customer expectations. If you’re not keeping up, you might lose business.

How to Stay Ahead  

1. Add Services: Try offering wash and fold, delivery, or eco friendly cleaning to bring in more customers. 

2. Get Expert Help: Work with distributors to find the best equipment and stay up to date on industry trends. 

3. Use Modern Tools: Cents provides systems to improve payments, customer service, and daily operations. 

To stay competitive, focus on providing more than just clean clothes—create a great experience for your customers. 

The Positive Side of a Laundromat Retool

Fixing outdated equipment is just the beginning—retooling helps you create a laundromat that stands out from the rest. 

Why Retooling is Worth It  

Attract More Customers

New equipment, simple payment systems, and a tidy, inviting space tell customers you care. Options like app-based reservations and green cleaning appeal to customers who value convenience and sustainability. 

Keep Them Coming Back 

Customers return when they trust that your machines are reliable and the experience is smooth. Retooling lets you add loyalty programs and services like wash and fold or pickup and delivery. These added features build strong connections with customers and encourage them to return. 

Save Time and Money

Energy efficient dryers and washers could cut your utility bills by about 30%. Adding smart tools to track usage can help you spot busy times, plan better, and reduce waste. 

Boost Profitability

Running your laundromat more efficiently helps you save money and serve more people. For example, faster machines and dependable equipment mean less downtime and more loads completed during busy times. 

Outshine Your Competitors

The laundry industry is evolving quickly, with more modernized laundromats entering the market. Offering new options, like green cleaning or smart technology, can help your laundromat become a favorite in the community.

Plan for the Future

Careful planning when upgrading helps your laundromat meet customer needs and keep up with new trends. Cloud based systems, for example, make it simple to expand and manage more locations. 

Finding the Right Laundry Equipment Distributors

Choosing the right equipment begins with picking trusted brands. Read more about the top distributors in our blog about the retooling process.

Ask distributors about equipment warranties, maintenance programs, and financing plans. They can assist with picking and setting up machines while offering long-term support. For the best results, work with a local distributor. Having expert support ensures your investment pays off in the long run.  

Common Challenges When Retooling

Laundromat retooling has many benefits, but planning ahead for challenges can help things go smoothly. 

1. Managing Costs

The cost of upgrading can seem high, but financing spreads payments out over time. Energy saving equipment may also include rebates to cut costs.

2. Choosing Your Equipment 

Choosing the right machines is easier when you focus on your needs. Look at things like load sizes and energy efficiency, and ask a distributor for guidance. 

3. Minimizing Disruption

Retooling often requires downtime, but careful planning can reduce its impact. Schedule laundromat upgrades during slow periods, and communicate changes with customers through signage or email updates to maintain trust.

4. Training Staff

Introducing new equipment or systems means your team will need time to learn. Provide clear training sessions and use user friendly tools, like Cents, to simplify the learning curve.

How Cents Can Help

Upgrading your laundromat is easier with Cents, a platform designed specifically for laundromat owners to simplify operations and improve customer satisfaction. 

With Cents POS, you can offer cashless payments, loyalty programs, and streamlined customer data tracking. At Star Laundromats in Brooklyn, owner Jason Worme replaced his outdated coin-operated system with Cents POS, saving time and reducing errors. The cashless options were not only more convenient for customers but also made operations smoother, freeing Jason to focus on growing his business instead of counting coins.

For laundromats managing multiple locations or high volumes, Cents Business Manager is the solution. Ariana Roviello, owner of Laundré in San Francisco, used it to automate scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting. This efficiency allowed her to expand her services to include pickup and delivery without the need to manage her own fleet. By integrating gig economy drivers through Cents Dispatch, Ariana significantly increased her service area and tripled her wash and fold revenue in just two years.

Finally, Cents Assist brings AI-powered customer service tools to enhance your operations. At TLC Wash House in New Jersey, owner Tracy Cornette found that switching to Cents streamlined her wash and fold service, which was previously managed on paper. With automation and an accurate customer database, her team doubled their service volume while delivering a more professional customer experience. 

Conclusion

Retooling your laundromat is a smart investment that can transform your business into a more efficient, customer friendly, and profitable operation.

Cents can help you through the whole process. Whether you need tools to simplify operations or connections to local distributors for equipment upgrades, we’ve got you covered. When you work with us, you can trust the laundromat retooling process and concentrate on making your customers’ experience the best. 

Let us help you make your laundromat the number one choice—contact us today.