9 Down-to-Earth Tips for People Buying or Running a Laundromat

Thinking about getting into the laundromat business, or looking to shake things up with the one you already own? This episode of the Laundromat Resource Podcast was loaded with nitty-gritty, real-world advice. Nicholas Gomez—the guest—started with pickup and delivery before ever owning a physical laundromat, got burned nearly buying the wrong place, and even used AI to rescue his business from a scary financial slump. There are so many gold nuggets, so here’s what you need to know, broken down into bite-sized, practical tips.

1. Find Your People and Ask Questions

When Nicholas and his wife were first curious about laundromats, they didn’t go it alone. They found people with experience, got active in online forums, and hit up YouTube for advice. In other words: don’t wing it.

• Try this: Find an owner or an online group, introduce yourself, and ask the “dumb” questions. Owners love to talk shop, and it might save you a pile of cash and headaches.

2. You Don’t Even Need to Own a Store (at First)

Nicholas and his wife started doing laundry pickup and delivery without actually owning a laundromat! They used other people’s machines and locations.

• Try this: Thinking of getting your feet wet? Start by offering pickup and delivery. See if you like it and can find customers—before dropping big bucks on a store.

3. Know Your Numbers Down to Each Stop

Their pickup & delivery model wasn’t profitable by accident. Nicholas figured out exactly how much each stop cost him (gas, time, insurance, everything) before setting prices.

• Try this: Break out a spreadsheet and crunch the real cost of a run—don’t guess! Set your prices so you aren’t losing money on every pickup.

4. Get Serious About WHO You Want as a Customer

Nicholas got creative. He even drove for DoorDash to see which neighborhoods and families might use his laundry service.

• Try this: Figure out who’s most likely to pay for your laundry service, then get your marketing in front of them—don’t just spam every mailbox in a 10-mile radius.

5. Sometimes Exposure Is Worth More Than Profit

If a route or partnership got his van and branding out there—even if it wasn’t super profitable right away—Nicholas considered it an investment in the future.

• Try this: When considering a “just okay” deal, ask yourself if it could pay off in bigger ways down the road. Brand visibility matters!

6. Dig Into the Details—Especially Environmental Stuff

Nicholas almost bought a laundromat that used to be a dry cleaner. The surprise environmental liability (and the cost of cleaning it up) would’ve been a disaster.

• Try this: Always ask if a location ever had a dry cleaner. Check for environmental headaches before you sign on the dotted line.

7. Stick to Your Mission—But Be Flexible

Nicholas and his wife kept their eyes on why they got into the biz (to build up pickup and delivery). That focus helped when they were bombarded with random new opportunities.

• Try this: Know your “why.” It’ll help when you’re faced with shiny new distractions or tough decisions.

8. Don’t Be Scared of New Tech—AI Can Seriously Help

When the business was in trouble, Nicholas added an AI phone assistant (they call her Bella!). She took 24/7 calls, won new contracts, and turned things around when he honestly wasn’t sure if they’d make it. All for about $200/mo.

• Try this: Look at your operations—if basic stuff can be automated (like phone calls or customer questions), check out some AI tools. It could save money AND make you more.

9. Build Real Relationships—It Matters

One of the most touching parts of the episode was how Nicholas talked about knowing regular customers by name, and how the laundromat became a real place of comfort for people in tough spots.

• Try this: Talk to your customers. Ask about their day. Remember their names. People notice, and they stick around—and they tell their friends.

Wrapping It Up

There’s way more to laundromats than soap and quarters. The real formula? Get to know the business, know your costs, use tech to your advantage, and genuinely care for your community. Do that, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of the crowd.

If you want deeper tips, community events, or just want to geek out on machines and ROI, check out LaundromatResource.com.

Inspired by the Laundromat Resource Podcast Show 215

• Join us on November 21 – 24, 2025: Laundromat Accelerator Hawaii Event : https://laundromatresource.com/hawaii

Implement just a few of these tips, and you’ll see measurable improvements in your customer traffic, retention, and profits—whether you’re buying your first laundromat or running your twentieth!