If you're planning a new laundromat, one of the biggest questions you'll need to answer is: How many commercial washers and dryers do I need? The answer isn't simply a matter of filling the available space with as many machines as possible. Choosing the right commercial washers and dryers requires looking at your location, anticipated customer demand, available floor space, machine capacities, utilities, and overall business plan.
A laundromat with too few machines may leave customers waiting for an available washer. A store with too many machines may have equipment sitting unused while you've invested money in capacity you don't need.
The goal is to create an equipment mix that makes sense for your customers and your business.
How Many Washers Does a Laundromat Need?
There isn't a magic number of washers that works for every laundromat.
T&L Equipment explains that the amount of equipment needed depends on factors including the available floor space and the types of machines selected. The goal is to have enough capacity to serve the potential customers in the area without investing in more equipment than the location can support.
Before deciding on a number, consider:
- The Size Of Your Store
- The Population In The Trade Area
- The Number Of Renters Nearby
- The Number Of Competing Laundromats
- Expected Customer Volume
- The Size Of The Machines
- Your Budget
- Your Available Utilities
This is one reason equipment planning should happen alongside location planning rather than after you've already signed a lease.
What Commercial Washer Sizes Should a Laundromat Have?
One of the biggest mistakes a new owner can make is assuming every customer needs the same size washer.
They don't.
Some customers may have a small weekly load that fits comfortably in a standard-capacity machine. Others may be bringing several weeks' worth of laundry, comforters, sleeping bags, rugs, or other bulky items.
T&L's current equipment lineup includes commercial washers in a broad range of capacities. Continental Girbau, for example, offers models ranging from approximately 20 pounds all the way up to 255 pounds, while Speed Queen offers hard-mount and soft-mount washer extractors in multiple capacities.
That range gives laundromat owners an opportunity to create an equipment mix rather than relying on one machine size.
“Do laundromats need large-capacity washers?”
For many stores, having at least some larger machines can be valuable.
High-capacity washers give customers an option for items that may not fit into a residential washing machine. They can also allow customers to wash larger quantities of laundry at once.
That can be particularly useful for customers washing:
- Comforters
- Sleeping Bags
- Dog Beds
- Large Blankets
- Towels
- Large Family Loads
T&L specifically recommends high-capacity equipment because customers appreciate having options for larger loads.
How Many Dryers Does a Laundromat Need?
Your dryer mix is just as important as your washer mix.
A customer who finishes washing a load doesn't want to wait 20 minutes for a dryer to become available. If your store has plenty of washers but not enough drying capacity, you can create a bottleneck that affects the entire customer experience.
Commercial dryers also come in multiple capacities. T&L's current equipment lineup includes dryers ranging from approximately 30 pounds to more than 200 pounds, depending on the model.
The right combination will depend on the washers you've selected and the type of customers you're trying to serve.
Should You Have the Same Number of Washers and Dryers?
Not necessarily.
The ideal ratio depends on your equipment mix, store layout, cycle times, and customer behavior.
For example, if you have several high-capacity washers that can handle large loads, you'll want enough drying capacity to accommodate those customers when their wash cycles are finished.
This is another reason why purchasing individual machines without considering the entire equipment package can be problematic.
Your commercial washers and dryers should be planned as a system.
How Does Laundromat Size Affect Equipment Selection?
The physical size of the store is obviously an important consideration.
T&L's older guidance notes that laundromats can range from approximately 1,500 to 6,000 square feet, although individual stores vary considerably.
But square footage isn't the only factor.
You also need space for:
- Customer Walkways
- Folding Tables
- Seating
- Laundry Carts
- Vending or Supply Areas
- Payment Systems
- Restrooms, If Applicable
- Employee or Maintenance Areas
- Accessible Routes
- Equipment Access
Simply counting machines isn't enough. A well-designed laundromat needs to be comfortable and easy for customers to navigate.
How Do You Choose the Right Equipment Mix?
When selecting commercial washers and dryers, start with your customers rather than starting with a manufacturer's equipment catalog.
Ask questions such as:
“Who will use my laundromat?”
Is the location surrounded by:
- Apartment Communities?
- College Students?
- Large Families?
- Vacation Rentals?
- Hotels Or Other Businesses?
Your customer demographics can help determine whether you need more standard-capacity machines, more large-capacity machines, or a combination of both.
Competition matters, too. If nearby laundromats already have numerous large-capacity machines, you may need to consider what your store can offer that makes customers choose you instead.
Do Energy-Efficient Washers and Dryers Matter?
Absolutely. Utilities are an ongoing expense for laundromat owners, so equipment efficiency can have a meaningful impact on operating costs.
T&L points out that energy-efficient washers and dryers can help reduce utility expenses, potentially lowering overhead and improving profitability.
When comparing equipment, don't look only at the purchase price. Consider the equipment's expected water, gas, and electricity consumption over its useful life.
A machine that costs slightly more initially may make sense if it can help control operating costs for years to come.
What About Payment Systems?
Modern commercial washers and dryers don't necessarily have to rely solely on coins.
Today's equipment can support different payment options, including card-based and mobile payment systems. T&L currently highlights payment flexibility as one of the technologies available to modern laundromat owners.
That can make the laundry experience easier for customers who don't want to carry a pocketful of quarters.
When planning a new store, it's worth considering your payment system at the same time you're selecting your machines rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Should You Choose Equipment Before Designing the Laundromat?
Generally, equipment and layout should be planned together.
T&L's process includes helping customers develop equipment lists and floor plans based on the available space and project goals.
That's important because your equipment affects much more than where the washers and dryers sit.
It can affect:
- Plumbing
- Electrical Requirements
- Gas Connections
- Ventilation
- Drainage
- Customer Traffic Flow
- Maintenance Access
Planning these elements together can help prevent expensive changes later in the construction process.
Let T&L Help You Plan Your Equipment Mix
Choosing the right number and size of commercial washers and dryers is one of the most important decisions you'll make when opening or remodeling a laundromat. There isn't a universal formula because every location, customer base, building, and budget is different.
The goal is to create an equipment mix that gives customers the capacity they need while allowing you to make the most of your available space and investment.
T&L Equipment Sales Company has been helping laundromat owners and other commercial laundry customers throughout North Carolina and South Carolina since 1976. The company provides equipment planning, sales, installation, financing, maintenance, and service, working with businesses ranging from self-service laundromats to hotels, schools, gyms, hospitals, and other commercial facilities.
If you're trying to determine what size commercial washers and dryers your laundromat needs, start with your location, customers, and business goals. From there, an experienced commercial laundry equipment provider can help you develop an equipment package that makes sense for your store.
