What’s to know about choosing equipment? Some washers, some driers, and a change machine, right? Well, it’s not that simple anymore. You’ll need to take a good hard look at the space you have available, the type of equipment that different dealers can supply, and even what your competition is offering.

Within the Laundromat industry, a long-running debate continues over whether front-loaders perform better than top-loading washing machines. Many customers prefer a top-loading machine, if for no other reason that they are more familiar. Using a top-loader is also a benefit for many customers, because they can easily raise the lid to add the one stray sock they found at the bottom of their basket after the machine has started. With a front-loader, once the machine has started and begun filling with water, there is no way to add additional laundry.

Still, front-loading coin-op washing machines have some very distinct advantages to both customer and Laundromat owner. Modern front-loaders come in a variety of capacities, so that customers can wash the equivalent of 2, 3, or more equivalent loads at once. They also have the capacity for large items like blankets and bed comforters…in fact, even if you decide on top load washers, you will want to have at least a couple of large-capacity front-loading washers to accommodate these big laundry items.

The best news about front-loading washing machines in your Laundromat are the savings in energy and water. Front-loaders use 40 to 75 percent less water, and anywhere from 30 to 85% less electrical energy. The savings to your Laundromat operating budget are drastically increased when considering the money you save by NOT heating all that water that top-loaders typically use.

Your Laundromat equipment distributor can help you choose the right mix of washers for your new Laundromat, but customer education on your part can help reduce your dependence on water- and energy-gulping top loaders. Especially today when “Green” and “Energy Savings” are at the top of everybody’s list, convincing your customers of the benefits to the planet of using front-loading machines is easier. Include in your customer education the fact that front-loading washers are typically much gentler on clothes while cleaning better and with less soap, and your customers will be asking for fewer top-loading machines and more front-loaders, saving you money with every utility bill you pay.

Driers don’t present as many options…they’re all front loading, and besides the fact that you will by all means want gas driers if at all possible due to their economic efficiency, your choices will mainly revolve around size. Again, bigger is usually better, but you’ll want to have some smaller “single-load” driers for Laundromat customers who occasionally just wash one load, or for those who may use a large drier for most of their multiple wash-loads, but want to dry a portion of their clothes on a delicate, low-heat, or “permanent press” cycle. If you’re opening up a smaller Laundromat, you might best utilize your space by offering a couple of “double stack” drier units, where two driers can fit in the space normally used by one. But because these double units usually offer the inconvenience of the bottom unit being a little too low and the upper being a little too high for comfortable loading and unloading, stick to single units at a comfortable height if space allows.

When comparing different equipment manufacturers, do not make the mistake of comparing by purchase price or lease payments alone…do some homework! A less expensive washer or drier may cost you considerably more in the long run with higher utility costs. Factor equipment costs AND utility costs over at least 3 (and preferably 5) years to determine the most efficient use of energy and your budget.

A customer’s trip to the Laundromat no longer means first digging through jars looking for quarters or hoping the Laundromat’s change machine is working. The modern Laundromat uses pre-paid cards, just like a debit card you get from your bank. Customers purchase whatever dollar amount of laundry they desire, and the machines automatically deduct the correct amount for each load washed or dried. The advantages of this system range far beyond eliminating the owner’s need for counting endless stacks of quarters. A quality card program will come with software that lets the Laundromat owner easily manage and account for cash without worrying about employee theft. You will also be able to simply keep track of how much business you do by the month, week, day, or even hour…allowing you to offer special discounts during slow times to attract more business, “frequent users” rewards, or even a random “free load” that will really build loyalty with your customers. Some systems even allow you to set different prices for hot- or cold-water washing, encouraging energy savings.

Speaking of energy savings, “going green” can be a tremendous marketing advantage that encourages customers to bring their laundry to your store instead of the competition. While solar electricity panels are currently still expensive and difficult to justify economically, Solar Hot Water systems are relatively inexpensive and offer a fairly rapid rate of return, especially for high-volume hot-water-using facilities like a Laundromat.. Many states and communities offer substantial tax credits for solar installations that make the up-front expense easily recoupable in only a few years, and “green-minded” customers will flock to your store over competitors’ stores, even if you are less convenient for them.

Don’t hesitate to investigate used Laundromat equipment, especially if your initial budget is tight. Beware though that unless you are a competent laundry machine repair person, the savings over new equipment are more than surpassed by repair bills and lack of customer goodwill due to machines constantly needing repair. Ask your potential machine distributors if they have any reconditioned equipment…perhaps washers and driers they repossessed, or machines they took on “trade” from another laundry that upgraded their equipment, and reconditioned. You may find a good deal and the dealer may offer a generous warranty if they are confident in their reconditioning work. Again, do your homework!

And speaking of service, consider the value of service provided by the company that sells you your equipment. When you’ve got a broken machine, how fast will they respond? Is service included during the warranty or the entire lease term? If not, do they offer a flat-rate service contract? These are factors to consider in your budget.

One of the best investigative tools you can use to determine which brand of machine to use in your new Laundromat is to ask OTHER Laundromat owners. While the “competition” near your proposed location not likely to want to help you out, Laundromat owners in non-competing areas will. If you’re in a big city, drive to the complete opposite side of town and visit Laundromats…tell them you’re thinking of opening a Laundromat on the opposite side of town, and ask: Would they recommend their equipment vendor? Their service company? What problems have they had?

If you’re in a smaller town, you might need to drive a couple hours to a larger town or city for this research, but it will be well worth your time in the long run.