If you want customers to keep coming back – whether they’re folding socks, dropping off towels or scheduling delivery – you need more than ads. You need to make them feel like they belong.
I love throwing dinner parties.
Not the stuffy kind with assigned seating and tiny forks – just the kind where the lights are warm, the music’s easy and people come as they are. Comfortable but still looking nice. The kind of night where everyone feels welcome, the food is thoughtful, and no one’s checking the time.
I think about who’s coming: planning around their tastes, accommodating different needs and creating an experience that feels intentional.
That’s exactly how we should approach marketing in the laundry industry.
Whether you’re serving self-service customers, busy families dropping off laundry, professionals booking pickup and delivery, or local businesses counting on you for commercial service – great marketing is about hospitality. It’s about making people feel like what you offer was designed just for them.
1. Know Who You’re Serving
Every customer is showing up with a different need. If your messaging feels too broad, it won’t feel relevant to anyone.
Self-Service Customers
These customers are often looking for speed, convenience, and a clean space they can count on. They care about machine availability, payment options, and overall experience.
Tactical ideas:
- Highlight the features of your machines (capacity, speed, card payments) on your website.
- Share photos of the laundromat during slower hours to encourage off-peak visits.
- Promote amenities like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, or comfortable seating through social and Google Business Posts.
Wash-Dry-Fold Customers
They want to hand off their laundry to someone they trust. For them, it’s about quality, time saved and confidence in your process.
Tactical ideas:
- Create a dedicated service page that outlines turnaround times, detergent choices and folding quality.
- Use visuals to show how their clothes are packaged or returned.
- Include testimonials that speak to consistency and care.
Pickup and Delivery Customers
These are often time-strapped individuals or families. They’re looking for ease, from booking to doorstep drop-off.
Tactical ideas:
- Add a delivery ZIP code checker and scheduling tool directly on your homepage.
- Use automated texts or emails to confirm pickups, share delivery ETAs and provide follow-up surveys.
- Run geo-targeted ads focused on the convenience of “laundry done without leaving home.”
Commercial Customers (Gyms, Salons, Restaurants, Clinics, etc.)
These clients need a reliable partner. Their business depends on your consistency, capacity and professionalism.
Tactical ideas:
- Build landing pages tailored to industries you serve, speaking to specific laundry challenges.
- Include volume capabilities and pickup schedules.
- Share case studies or customer success stories from similar businesses.
2. Create a Welcoming Experience—Online and Off
Your website, Google listing and social media are often your first impression. They should feel just as welcoming and intentional as walking into your space.
Make sure your digital presence answers the key questions: What do you offer? Who is it for? How do I start?
Essentials to include:
- Individual pages for each service you offer
- Real photos of your space, team and process
- Clean navigation and fast mobile loading
- Easy contact and booking options
- Accurate hours, pricing, and reviews
3. Follow Up Like You Mean It
Great hospitality doesn’t end when the last plate is cleared – or in this case, when the last shirt is folded.
Tactical ideas:
- Send thank-you messages or email receipts that include rebooking links.
- Offer new customer bounce-back incentives.
- Automate review requests after a delivery or drop-off.
- Segment your email list by service type to keep follow-up personalized.
4. Use Social Media to Build Familiarity
Your social media isn’t just about selling – it’s about showing up consistently, building trust and giving people a reason to remember you.
Content ideas:
- Customer spotlights or testimonials
- Team highlights (introduce your staff and their roles)
- Tips for laundry care at home
- Delivery route stories or interesting stats (“We fold 2,000 lbs of laundry a week!”)
- Holiday closings, seasonal offers or community events
Just like a great dinner party, successful laundromat marketing isn’t about being flashy – it’s about making people feel like they were expected, welcomed and well taken care of.
The best hosts think through the experience from start to finish. They don’t serve the same thing to every guest. They consider the preferences, the pace and the little touches that make people say, “I want to come back.”
Your marketing should do the same.
When every ad, website visit, text message or pickup feels like it was made with the customer in mind – that’s when you’ve moved beyond just “running a business.”
You’ve created something memorable. Something personal. Something worth sharing.
And just like a dinner party people can’t stop talking about, that kind of experience turns first-time visitors into loyal regulars – who bring others to your table too.
