In a busy area, laundromat location is often the first thing customers consider. Even when there are a few stores nearby, many people start with whatever feels closest to home, work or the errands they’re already running. From there, the decision usually comes down to the details—what they can see from the street, how smoothly the visit goes and whether the experience feels consistent week to week.
Competition stays real, too. IBISWorld reports there were 18,711 laundromat businesses operating in the United States in 2025. That’s why your laundromat location and your in-store experience should work together, not separately.
The good news: A few small tweaks can help your store feel easy and familiar, potentially turning a first-time visitor into a regular.
Six Laundromat Tips to Help Attract Customers
These six laundromat tips focus on the small moments customers notice, from laundromat location to the experience inside your store.
1. Consider Proximity and Laundromat Location
Laundry is one of those errands people try to tuck into the rest of their day. A store near home, work, school drop-off or a grocery run can win on convenience alone.
That’s why laundromat marketing often starts close to the store. Put your first dollars and outreach into the neighborhoods most likely to become regulars, then expand outward once repeat traffic feels steady.
2. Boost Visibility and Curb Appeal
If your location looks rundown and neglected to those passing by, customers may choose another store. A well-lit, clean parking lot, bright shop lighting, indoor and outdoor cleanliness and clear signage all help make your location warm and inviting.
Small upgrades that may support a strong first impression:
- Bright exterior lighting and clean windows
- Clear signage that’s readable at driving speed
- Parking that feels simple, not stressful
- A storefront that looks cared for at night, not just in daylight
3. Invest in High-quality Equipment and Laundromat Technology
Never lose sight of the fact that people are coming to your laundromat for one main reason: To use your laundry equipment.
That’s why Speed Queen® equipment, paired with modern laundromat technology, can shape how the store feels and how smoothly visits go.
Bring laundromat technology into the experience with:
- Speed Queen Insights for management, reporting and remote access
- Quantum Touch Controls to support a modern, user-friendly interface
- Scan-Pay-Wash, which offers digital payment options without costly add-on equipment
- ProCapture™ by Speed Queen to capture up to 98% of dryer-generated lint* and help cut down on lint cleanup that can lead to maintenance and downtime
4. Consider Extra Amenities
Washers and dryers are only the beginning. Additional services—like wash-dry-fold services, dry cleaning or even seemingly small amenities like Wi-Fi—may be part of why someone chooses your laundromat over a competing business.
Amenities that can influence repeat visits include:
- Wash-dry-fold service, especially in busy family neighborhoods
- Wi-Fi and charging for people who work while they wait
- Comfortable seating and a layout that keeps traffic flowing
- Vending that matches what customers need for a longer stay
This is also where laundromat marketing can help. For example, promoting convenience over generic service messages may be a good way to start.
5. Use Online Marketing to Build Brand Awareness
Someone moves, a washer breaks or a busy week piles up. They pull out their phone and search for a laundromat nearby. In that moment, the easiest store to find may get the first visit. Marketing, particularly online marketing, can be a crucial part of that decision-making process.
Think about your laundromat marketing foundation and what customers see first. Try building:
- A Google Business Profile with accurate hours, services and fresh photos
- A mobile-friendly website that answers basic questions fast
- Location-specific pages that reinforce your laundromat location
- Simple social posts that show the store is active, clean and maintained
6. Collect Recommendations and Reviews
Customers often look for signals that a store will feel clean and safe and keep machines running as expected. Reviews can provide that context before someone visits, which makes them a useful part of your laundromat marketing plan.
Build a steady review routine with a few consistent habits:
- Ask right after a smooth visit or a service recovery
- Respond with specifics customers mention, not generic thank yous
- Use repeat feedback as a checklist
Recommendations still influence where people try a new business. Online reviews can play a similar role. In fact, 91% of 18- to 34-year-olds trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
If you want to encourage more word of mouth, consider a simple referral offer and occasional in-store reminders. Keep the focus on the details customers tend to call out in reviews—equipment reliability, a cared-for space and helpful service.
What's Next?
If you're starting a store or planning upgrades, keep the plan simple: pair a smart laundromat location with an experience that customers can predict every time they walk in.
*Results derived from internal lab testing environment produced up to 98% lint capture efficiency with bath towel loads dried at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. No independent lab testing was conducted. These results represent findings from controlled laboratory conditions and may not accurately simulate real-world usage of the product as effectiveness can vary widely depending on factors such as method of use, load type, environment, individual user characteristics, and other circumstances.
