PlanetLaundry Podcast
America’s #1 Resource for Vended Laundry News & Info
PlanetLaundry is the official publication of CLA and is trusted by thousands of laundry professionals to deliver the latest news and industry-specific topics.

Making a Great First Impression
The Keys to Creating an Inviting Laundromat Storefront The success of any laundromat extends well beyond the performance and efficiency of its equipment – and it begins even before that first customer tosses that first load of clothes into one of your washers. In...

An Active ‘Retirement’
Michigan Store Owner Thrives During ‘Second Act’ Laundromat Career Jim Legato has never been one to let grass grow under his feet. Following a 30-year career with the Michigan Bell telephone company, Legato’s initial entrance into the laundromat industry might appear...

Laundromats 2024: Opportunities, Challenges… and Industry Evolution
Business Leaders Take a Close Look at Key Factors Shaping the Vended Laundry Market in the Coming Year The laundromat industry is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic challenges, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences....
Headlines
Whirlpool Named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
Whirlpool Corp. recently was named to the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, in recognition of the company’s dedication to responsible and ethical business practices. This marks the second consecutive year the manufacturer has been named to the World Index....
Setting the Standard
Laundromat Owner’s Journey of Innovation, Excellence and Growth Art Jaeger’s plan for his Simi Valley Laundry Center has always been crystal clear. “Our philosophy is that we want to be the biggest and the best in whatever community we serve,” explained Jaeger, of the...
Creating a Culture of Learning and Development
A Four-Step Approach to Training and Building a Committed Laundromat Staff Stacy showed up to the laundromat excited for her first day on the job as an attendant. The half-asleep manager at the counter led Stacy to a back room and handed her a pen and stack of...
NJDOL Encourages Laundry Owners to Comply with State Labor Laws
To kick off 2024, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is sending the state’s laundromat owners a package of materials to help ensure they begin the new year in compliance with the state’s labor laws. The January mailing is part of an ongoing...
Spinning Success
Four Marketing Strategies to Implement in 2024 Toward the end of last summer, helping my nephews gear up for the coming school year taught me something interesting about making smart choices. In years past, we typically grabbed the flashiest, most popular items – you...
Redefining an Everyday Chore
An Interview with Ariana Roviello of Laundré in San Francisco Ariana Roviello is the passionate owner behind Laundré, a unique laundry experience that has set out to redefine the way we approach this everyday chore. Driven by a genuine desire to improve the laundry...
Making a Great First Impression
The Keys to Creating an Inviting Laundromat Storefront The success of any laundromat extends well beyond the performance and efficiency of its equipment – and it begins even before that first customer tosses that first load of clothes into one of your washers. In...
Speed Queen Laundry Opens in Louisiana
Speed Queen has continued the expansion of its laundromat franchise with the opening of a new location in Baton Rouge, La. The new 3,829-square-foot Speed Queen Laundry held its grand opening event on December 13, with the store’s first 100 customers receiving free...
Setomatic Names New President
Setomatic Systems Inc.-SpyderWash has promoted Gregg Schantz to president. Gregg, who is the third generation to enter the family business, has been with the company for more than a decade. During his tenure, he has worked in all aspects of the business and was vital...
ACI Unveils Spanish Language Version of ‘Packets Up!’ Website
The American Cleaning Institute has launched a Spanish version of its Packets Up! webpage. The Packets Up! initiative was developed to help reduce the number of unintended exposures to liquid laundry packets among children. The new webpage features a whiteboard video,...
Laundromax Opens First Texas Location
Laundry Capital – a Rego Park, N.Y., company consisting of the Laundromax and Clean Rite laundromat brands – has announced the grand opening of its first Laundromax location in Texas. With more than 80 laundromats in the United States, the newest Laundromax, located...
Newsweek Names Whirlpool One of America’s Most Responsible Companies
Whirlpool Corp. has announced that it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024. The annual recognition, acknowledging the most responsible companies in the United States across 14 industries, is presented by Newsweek and...
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This Month's Issue
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Connecting, Learning, Advocating: CLA Maximizes Impact at Clean Show 2025
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Member Spotlight: Finding a Niche in the Laundromat Industry
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PlanetLaundry Podcast: Turning Setbacks into Success: Saichelle McNeill’s Journey
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A Laundromat With Heart: Inside Cherry Drive’s Customer-First Approach
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Alliance Acquires Star Distributing
Alliance Laundry Systems recently acquired the distribution assets of Star Distributing, as well as its Parts King business. Star, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., is a leading distributor of Speed Queen vended, multi-housing, and on-premises laundry equipment....
Laundry CEO Forum Set for Inaugural Run
The inaugural Laundry CEO Forum – organized by laundry owners and operators Waleed Cope and Jessica Johnson-Cope – will be held August 7-9, 2024, at the Omni Frisco Star in Frisco, Texas. The event is designed to promote growth, innovation, and leadership in the...
Coin Laundry Association Embraces Industry Changes with New Name and Branding
The largest trade organization dedicated to the vended laundry industry has announced an update to its branding, including its name. The Coin Laundry Association will now be known as simply “CLA,” with each of the three letters signifying an action that the...
Girbau Names New President
Commercial laundry equipment manufacturer Girbau – headquartered in Vic, Spain – has appointed Diego Hervás as its new president. “Girbau is an extraordinary project and a company whose values I share,” Hervás said. “I see great potential for contributing to growth...
Standard Change-Makers Appoints New Sales Team Members
Standard Change-Makers recently announced new additions to the company’s sales team. Robert Lessard has been named the company’s new sales representative for Canada. He takes over for Paul Thompson, who retired after 28 years with Standard. Lessard brings extensive...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
The Business Mind

Are You a Quitter?
The Key to Success is Knowing When to Quit – And When to Hang On “Never, never, never give up.” – U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, on October 29, 1941, as World War II raged through Europe Winston Churchill was a strong believer that persistence is everything...
Wash With Wally

Wash with Wally: Sign of the Times
My business partner and I are building a 4,500-square-foot laundromat in Arizona. We are just about finished, and one of the last tasks we’re left with is deciding what to do about the outdoor sign on the corner of the lot. We are considering a standard, double-faced...
Viewpoint

Giving Thanks for 2020
“…enjoy every sandwich.” – Warren Zevon, songwriter/musician When Zevon uttered these quirky words of gratitude, it wasn’t in a clever lyric from one of his dozens of great songs. Rather, it came in response to a question posed by his friend David Letterman during...
Digital Marketing

Tips for Social Media Success
When it comes to social media marketing, businesses often face a difficult decision: what type of content should they post – be it on Facebook, Instagram or somewhere else? The answer isn’t always clear-cut, as different platforms have different audiences and...
Strategic Corporate Allies Program
Our Strategic Corporate Allies support CLA’s mission through advocacy, education, and innovation to strengthen the industry, advance our members’ businesses, and prepare the next generation of laundry professionals for the future.
Interested in becoming a Strategic Corporate Ally of CLA? Contact President & CEO, Brian Wallace via email at [email protected] or call (630) 491-0499.