Vacation Rental Laundry Services: Your Quick-Launch Checklist

Vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are more popular than ever. By 2026, short-term rentals are expected to be worth about $8.9 billion, and the market is growing fast—nearly 19% every year from 2022 to 2032.

With this growth in rentals comes an endless stream of laundry waiting to be tackled. For laundromat owners this is a big opportunity to increase revenue by helping vacation rental hosts, boutique hotels, and other property managers with their laundry needs.

By offering services tailored to this market, you can attract steady commercial clients. This blog will guide you through a simple checklist to help you make your laundromat the top choice for vacation rental laundry service needs in your area.

What Vacation Rental Hosts Need

Before stepping into the vacation rental market it’s important to learn about the specific needs of vacation rental hosts.

Hosts operate in a fast paced way and will do whatever it takes to get a 5-star review. They need a laundry partner who understands the urgency and importance of their work. Your ability to meet their specific needs can set you apart from competitors and establish you as a vital part of their business. 

Typical Laundry Orders  

Vacation rental laundry often includes high volume items such as:  

• Bed linens  

• Towels (bath, hand, wash cloth, and pool)  

• Kitchen linens  

• Bathroom rugs and mats  

Types of Laundry Services 

Vacation rental hosts and boutique hotels need services like:  

• Regular Wash and Fold Services: Ideal for handling large volumes of linens.

• Express Services: Quick turnaround options for high turnover properties.  

• Specialized Cleaning: For delicate items like duvet covers or decorative pillows.  

• Pickup and Delivery: A must have service for busy hosts and property managers.  

• Premium Options: Some higher end clients will prefer premium detergents or fabric care (e.g., eco-friendly or bleach options). Be sure to discuss expectations with these clients to customize their laundry service.

Tips For Working with Property Managers

Here are the most important things to do when working with vacation rental owners or property managers:

• Stay Flexible: Be ready to handle last-minute changes or requests.

• Provide Consistency: Deliver reliable service that fits smoothly into their schedule.

• Ensure Cleanliness: Offer spotless and fresh-smelling linens and towels every time.

• Offer Transparent Pricing: Use clear and simple pricing packages.

By meeting these needs off the bat, you make your laundromat an attractive service provider.

Revenue Potential Within the Vacation Rental Market

Scaling commercial customers like vacation rental hosts can significantly boost your laundromat’s revenue…  

For example, a vacation rental property with three units may require laundry services for an average of 30 pounds of linens per turnover. If turnovers occur twice weekly, that’s 60 pounds per week. At $1.50 per pound, this equates to $90 weekly—or $4,680 annually for just one client. Multiply this by 10 clients, and you’re looking at an additional $46,800 in yearly revenue. 

Create Branding Hosts Will See & Love

To stand out in the vacation rental market, your laundromat must present itself as a premium, reliable service provider to this market specifically. Your brand is the face of your business. Develop a brand voice and messaging strategy that speaks directly to the pain points of vacation rental hosts, emphasizing your understanding of their challenges and your ability to solve them.

Key Messages to Convey

Here are the key messages to position yourself as the go-to solution for vacation rental laundry:

1. Professionalism: Emphasize quality, reliability, and attention to detail in all customer interactions.  

2. Hospitality Focus: Position your business as an extension of the vacation rental experience by highlighting your understanding of the hospitality industry.  

3. Flexibility: Showcase your ability to accommodate last minute requests or special needs.  

Tips for Bountiful Branding

Here are tips for creating branded materials specifically for the vacation rental arm of your laundry business:

• Create a Service Name: Brand your vacation rental laundry services under a specific name (e.g., “Vacation Fresh Laundry Solutions”) to make them distinct and memorable.  

• Design Marketing Collateral: Develop professional brochures, business cards, and a dedicated section on your website to promote your vacation rental laundry services.  

• Highlight Success Stories: Share testimonials or case studies from happy vacation rental clients to build trust with prospective customers.  

VIP Touches to Attract Premier Hosts

In the vacation rental market, quality matters as much as speed. Hosts want linens and towels that not only look clean but feel fresh and luxurious for their guests. By investing in high-quality detergents, offering specialized cleaning for delicate items, and maintaining strict quality control processes, you can attract a more premium clientele. 

Tips for Offering Premium Services  

Here are ways to make every client feel like a VIP:

• Use High-Quality Detergents: Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic options are particularly appealing to hospitality clients.  

• Guarantee Quick Turnaround Times: Commit to delivering clean, folded laundry within 24-48 hours to meet tight schedules.  

• Ensure Attention to Detail: Inspect every item for stains or damage and rewash if necessary to maintain high standards.  

Logistics of Having Commercial Rental Clients

Managing vacation rental clients goes beyond just washing and folding laundry—it involves creating a smart and scalable pricing strategy, organizing efficient workflows, and ensuring reliable delivery schedules.

Keys to Pricing Structure  

Transparent pricing is essential to attract and retain vacation rental clients. Clearly communicating your pricing helps build trust and ensures clients understand the value of your services. 

Here are some options for structuring your packages:

• Per-Pound Pricing: Charge by the pound for standard wash and fold services. Make sure to inform clients about minimum weight charges—orders below the minimum weight will still be billed at the set minimum. This is a common practice, and commercial clients often understand that they’re paying for premium service and quick turnaround.

• Subscription Plans: Offer discounted rates for recurring weekly or bi-weekly services to encourage long-term commitments.

• Add-On Fees: Clearly outline additional charges for services like express turnarounds, specialized cleaning, or oversized items.

• Wet Item Charges: Be upfront about higher charges for wet items, like damp towels, since their increased weight affects the cost.

By addressing these details in your pricing structure, you set clear expectations and reinforce the value of your services to your clients.

Tips for Effectively Managing Clients

These workflows will set your business apart from competitors and ensure a smooth experience for your commercial clients:

• Use Route Optimization Software: Minimize travel time and fuel costs by planning the most efficient delivery routes.

• Dedicate Staff to Specific Accounts: Assign specific employees to handle commercial accounts, ensuring consistency and accountability for your vacation rental clients.

• Schedule Staffing for Airbnb/VRBO Needs: Dedicate certain staffing hours specifically for vacation rental clients, especially on high-turnover days like Sundays. Plan for seasonality by increasing staff during busy times.

• Plan for Quick Turnarounds: Commercial clients often require fast service. Add extra staffing hours on your busiest days to meet these demands while maintaining a smooth experience for self-serve customers. This ensures machines remain available for walk-in users and avoids disruptions.

• Use Customer Management Tools: Keep clients updated on their order status and delivery times in real-time with the help of customer management systems.

By tailoring your workflows and staffing to meet the specific needs of vacation rental clients, you can handle high demand effectively while delivering top notch service.

Important Note: Embrace Technology

Modern technology is a crucial tool for success in this market. Leverage tools like Cents' Business Manager and POS systems to streamline operations, manage client accounts, and ensure smooth scheduling and delivery processes. For example, route optimization technology can minimize delivery times and costs, while automated notifications can keep clients informed about order status.

Market Your Services

Once your business plan for services, branding, and technology is in place, marketing is the answer to securing vacation rental clients. By targeting the right audience and showcasing your expertise, you can establish a steady stream of commercial customers.  

Tips for Effective Marketing 

Here are ways to get your business in front of the right audience:

• Partner with Property Managers: Build relationships with local property management companies to gain referrals.  

• Attend Networking Events: Participate in events for Airbnb hosts, vacation rental associations, or boutique hotel owners.  

• Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn to advertise your services and share client success stories.  

Key Promotions to Start

Give these marketing tactics a try:

• Introductory Discounts: Offer first-time clients a discount to encourage them to try your services.  

• Loyalty Programs: Reward long-term clients with perks like free delivery or discounts on larger orders.  

• Seasonal Campaigns: Run promotions during peak travel seasons to attract new business.  

Position Yourself for a Successful Partnership

Expanding your laundromat business into the vacation rental market can be transformative, opening new revenue streams while enhancing your reputation as a reliable and professional service provider. This market isn’t just about higher volumes of laundry—it’s about becoming a trusted partner for Airbnb hosts, VRBO owners, and boutique hotels who rely on exceptional laundry services to maintain their reputation.

To truly succeed, position your laundromat not just as a service provider, but as a strategic partner. 

Key Benefits for Hosts

Repeat these benefits throughout your messaging:

• Reduce stress by managing laundry logistics efficiently.

• Improve guest satisfaction by providing pristine linens and towels.

• Save time, enabling focus on other aspects of business.

By consistently demonstrating your value, you’ll build trust and loyalty, encouraging clients to rely on your services for the long term.

Scale All The Way Up

One of the greatest advantages of entering the vacation rental market is the potential for scalability. As your reputation grows, word of mouth referrals and repeat business can lead to a steady influx of new clients. This steady growth not only increases revenue but also positions your laundromat as a leader in the commercial laundry space.

With the right combination of strategy, branding, and technology, your laundromat can become an essential partner in the hospitality industry. By positioning yourself for success, you’ll be well equipped to capture the full potential of this lucrative market while strengthening your business for long term profitability and growth.

Quick-Launch Checklist*

Here is a quick recap of all tips shared in this blog post:

* Download the image above to use as checklist as you prepare

Conclusion

The vacation rental market is growing rapidly, and with it comes a rising demand for reliable, high-quality laundry services. By following this checklist, your laundromat can tap into this lucrative market, build strong relationships with commercial clients, and secure a steady stream of additional revenue.  

Ready to get started? Contact Cents today to learn how our integrated tools and technology can help you streamline operations, attract commercial clients, and grow your business in the vacation rental market.