Laundromat Cleanliness 101 for Laundry Business Owners

Customers and business owners alike will never enjoy a dirty laundromat. A good, clean laundromat can help your customers return and be loyal to your business. 

With more than 100 years in serving laundry businesses in the Midwest, we’ve seen the gamut when it comes to laundromat cleanliness. Let’s discuss some of the most common laundromat cleanliness challenges our customers struggle with, determine how to prevent them, and change the narrative that laundromats are dirty.

Current Cleanliness Challenges for Laundromat Owners

Keeping your laundromat facility clean can be a challenge. Below are the common cleanliness challenges laundromats face in the major cities and towns in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

Contamination Risks

Contamination risks pose a big challenge in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards within laundromats. These communal spaces, where multiple customers and employees handle laundry equipment and surfaces, are susceptible to cross-contamination. 

Customers may unknowingly transfer germs to surfaces, such as washing machines, dryers, and tables, potentially spreading illnesses. Clothing, linens, towels, and more can harbor various contaminants, including dirt, stains, and potentially harmful substances such as vomit or blood. 

Proper handling and disposal of these contaminants are essential to prevent cross-contamination and ensure a hygienic environment for all patrons. 

Cleaning Frequency

Regular cleaning and disinfection are extremely important as multiple customers use equipment and surfaces throughout the day. 

High-touch areas such as washer extractors, dryers, folding tables, and door handles should be cleaned and sanitized frequently, ideally after each use or at regular intervals throughout the day. Additionally, floors should be swept and mopped regularly to remove dirt, debris, and spills. 

Also, keep in mind the changes in Wisconsin weather. Communities lay salt down to prevent ice in the winter, and dirt is carried in as people enter your laundromat in the spring. Your floors will become dirty with these changes, so continue to clean your floors throughout the year to prevent buildup. 

Investing in efficient cleaning protocols or providing staff members with adequate training and resources is crucial to ensuring that cleaning tasks are performed consistently and effectively. 

Sustainability Concerns

Traditional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to human health and the environment. Many laundromat owners are exploring eco-friendly alternatives, such as biodegradable detergents and green cleaning solutions, to address this. 

Investing in energy-efficient laundry equipment and water-saving technologies can significantly reduce your laundromat's environmental footprint. However, maintaining sustainability while ensuring effective cleanliness requires a careful balance. 

It's important for you to educate both staff and customers about the importance of sustainable practices and provide resources for making environmentally conscious choices, such as offering refill stations for eco-friendly detergents or promoting reusable laundry bags. 

Customer Compliance

Educating customers about the importance of following cleanliness guidelines and fostering a culture of responsibility can help ensure everyone's well-being. 

Clear signage and verbal reminders can prompt customers to adhere to handwashing protocols, properly dispose of waste, and avoid behaviors that could contribute to contamination, such as eating or drinking near laundry equipment. 

Providing convenient access to hand sanitizer stations and disposable gloves can encourage customers to take proactive measures to minimize the spread of germs. 

New Trends in Cleanliness and Hygiene

Keep your laundromat clean with high-tech commercial laundry equipment and technology solutions. 

Advanced Sanitation Measures

New technologies such as UV-C light sterilization, ozone disinfection, and antimicrobial coatings are increasingly being integrated into laundromat businesses to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces. 

UV-C light sterilization systems effectively kill bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens by disrupting their DNA, providing additional protection against germs. 

Ozone disinfection systems harness the power of ozone gas to penetrate fabrics and eliminate stubborn odors, stains, and microorganisms, leaving laundry fresh and sanitized. 

Antimicrobial coatings applied to surfaces create a protective barrier that prevents the growth of bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of contamination between customers. 

Contactless Technology

With the rise of contactless payment systems, customers can now seamlessly pay for their laundry using their smartphones, credit or debit cards, or smart cards. This reduces the need for physical cash transactions and minimizes germ transmission. 

Automated door entry systems equipped with sensors or keyless entry options further eliminate the need for physical contact with handles or buttons, promoting a touch-free experience for patrons entering and exiting the facility. 

Many Maytag machines have connected smartphone apps and online platforms that allow customers to remotely book machines, monitor laundry status, and receive notifications when their laundry is ready. This streamlines the laundry process and reduces time spent in the laundromat. 

Eco-Friendly Equipment

High-efficiency washing machines and dryers are at the forefront of eco-friendly equipment designed to minimize water and energy consumption without compromising performance. 

These machines utilize advanced technologies, such as water-recycling systems, low-water wash cycles, and energy-efficient motors, to significantly reduce resource usage compared to traditional models. Although these machines use less water and have minimal energy consumption, they are still powerful enough to remove tough stains. 

Laundromats are embracing eco-friendly laundry detergents and cleaning products made from biodegradable and environmentally sustainable ingredients. These products offer effective cleaning power without harming the environment. 

Enhanced Customer Communication

Laundromats are leveraging digital platforms, mobile apps, and social media channels to communicate with customers in real-time and provide updates on cleanliness protocols, safety measures, and operational changes. 

Keep your customers informed about important updates, promotions, and special offers through email newsletters, text message alerts, and push notifications. Updates will help them stay connected and engaged with the laundromat between visits. 

Interactive digital signage and in-app messaging also allow laundromats to deliver targeted messages and reminders to customers while they're onsite, enhancing the overall customer experience. 

Choose Coin-O-Matic as Your Laundromat Cleanliness and Equipment Expert

Coin-O-Matic is committed to helping Midwest laundry business owners choose the best high-quality equipment for their laundry room while providing comprehensive support in setting up their business with top-of-the-line commercial laundry equipment. We will help you choose equipment and provide the proper steps to keep your laundromat clean. 

If you need assistance selecting the best commercial laundry equipment for your Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, or Wisconsin laundry business or are looking for a trusted laundry partner, don't hesitate to call us at 1-798-540-2047 today.