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.
‘I’m Behind in My Rent! What’s Next?’
As the title character, Harold Hill, in the Broadway musical, "The Music Man," observes, "Trouble! Right here in River City!" Substitute the name of your hamlet for River City and the message should be clear. In most states, a three-day notice to pay rent or quit must...
Some Advice on Giving Advice
A member of the Coin Laundry Association recently called me regarding an adverse ruling in small claims court, which resulted in a $770 judgment against the laundry owner. Apparently, an attendant employed by the owner assisted a customer – at the customer's request –...
Laundry Leases: Exercising Your Option to Renew
The most important asset of your self-service laundry business is your lease. Washers and dryers produce little income in storage or in a parking lot. As you probably know, coin laundry operators are repeatedly advised to enter into long-term lease arrangements,...
Headlines
Wash with Wally: Unclaimed Garments
Originally posted - Jul 29, 2013 I get a lot of lost and unclaimed articles of clothing at my store. I'm not talking about just a sock or two - I mean complete loads of laundry. I make sure it is clean and dry. Then, I fold and bag it, and store it for 60 to 90 days....
Wash with Wally: Choosing the Perfect Location
Originally posted - Jun 07, 2013 I want to build another laundry, and I'm currently looking at a site that's located between two large apartment complexes, which hold approximately 1,000 people. This site is on a main street with a good traffic pattern. What do you...
Wash with Wally: Battling Smoke Odors
Originally posted - Dec 28, 2012 I have a wash-dry-fold customer who is a very heavy smoker. In the winter, it seems that the clothes he brings in are at their worst; even the plastic hamper he brings them in reeks of smoke. I have tried an odor-reducing fabric...
Wash with Wally: Cleaning Mop Heads
Originally posted - Oct 08, 2012 I recently landed a commercial laundry account, which involves cleaning closed-loop mop heads for a large nursing home in my area. Can you suggest the most efficient way to wash and dry these mop heads? The good news is that you don't...
Wash with Wally: Vetting a New Laundry Location
Originally posted - Jan 31, 2014 I'm looking to build a new self-service laundry. I already own two stores, and I have time for one more. I think I've found a great location for this new laundry. The area is mostly Hispanic, and there aren't any other laundries within...
Wash with Wally: Purchasing a Vacated Laundry
Originally posted - Nov 01, 2013 I've found a coin laundry that's been closed up. All of the plumbing and electrical are still intact. I only have to reequip it, and I'm in business. What should I look for or try to find out before I sign the lease? I would proceed...
Wash with Wally: Removing Ink Stains
Originally posted - Aug 30, 2012 At my small laundromat, I often have a problem with customers washing and drying their clothes with ballpoint pens in the pockets. This has created a major staining problem in my dryer drums. I have used rubbing alcohol and hair spray...
Wash with Wally: Wrinkle-Free Table Clothes
Originally posted - Jun 04, 2014 I service a commercial account that has just purchased some rather inexpensive, polyester table clothes that wrinkle when washed. Even the client admits that she bought an inferior product. We pretreat these items, wash them in warm...
Wash with Wally: Pricing Large Drop-Off Items
Originally posted - Nov 30, 2012 We are trying to set our wash-dry-fold pricing and have noticed a big difference in how large items are priced. In our area, drycleaners and laundromats with wash-dry-fold services charge a per item fee for comforters, bedspreads,...
Wash with Wally: Keep Store Windows Unobstructed
Originally posted - Nov 21, 2014 I'm building a self-service laundry from the ground up, and I don't want to make any mistakes, even minor ones. My question pertains to my store's windows. Should I install stained glass or clear glass? I would strongly recommend that...
Wash with Wally: How to Wash Throw Rugs
Originally posted - Jun 17, 2013 What advice can you give for washing throw rugs? Most throw rugs can be washed, even with a rubber backing. However, when washing any kind of a rug, wash it in cold water, because it's hard to determine how many different materials the...
Wash with Wally: Cleaning Throw Rugs
Originally posted - Dec 06, 2013 What advice can you give for washing throw rugs? Most throw rugs can be washed, even with a rubber backing. However, when washing any kind of a rug, wash it in cold water — because it's hard to determine how many different materials...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Tech on the Rise: How Operators Are Using Innovation to Run Smarter, Faster Laundromats: From AI phone systems to real-time data tracking, operators and suppliers share how technology is reshaping the modern laundry business and what’s coming next.
- Business Profile: Delivering a Superior
Laundry Experience - Member Spotlight: Rick Rome –
Innovating Laundry, One Customer at a Time - Guest Column: How AI Changed Google Reviews (What Laundromat Owners Need to Know)
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Continental Names 2016 Distributors of the Year
Continental Girbau Inc. recently recognized Skyline Equipment Inc. with its 2016 Vended Laundry Distributor of the Year Award, an honor that distinguishes distributors for outstanding performance in the vended laundry market. Simultaneously, the Wisconsin-based...
CG West Adds Commercial Laundry Sales Specialist
Continental Girbau West - headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. - has named Jason McAninch its new commercial laundry sales specialist. In this position, McAninch will manage commercial vended and on-premises laundry sales and marketing efforts for the company....
Survey: Small Business Faces Major Workforce Issues
The National Small Business Association, in partnership with Cynthia Kay and Company Media Production, has released the 2017 Small Business Workforce and Labor Survey, which quantifies how workforce issues ranging from immigration to education to background checks...
Primus Adds Belenky to Distribution Network
Primus has announced that Belenky, Inc. is the newest addition to the manufacturer's distribution network. "Belenky has a 100-year history of providing excellent service to laundry equipment customers," said Mark Schram, North American sales manager for Primus. "We...
Kentucky Eyes Tax Expansion, CLA Hires Lobbyist
Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's tax reform plans include several critical components, not the least of which is planned sales tax expansion, which would require laundromat owners, among others, to collect sales tax. All signs indicate that the governor's tax reform...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
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The Business Mind
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Wash With Wally
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Viewpoint
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Digital Marketing
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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.
