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.
Slashing Through the Red Tape, Part 1
Working with Local Government and Utilities to Get Your Laundromat Project Completed on Schedule and on Budget Russ Arbuckle has been involved in more than a few laundromat buildouts and retool projects through the years. And he has seen his share of horror stories...
Spring Cleaning
It’s Time to Refresh, Refurbish and Possibly Retool Your Laundry Business Yes, it’s that time of year again – time to clean out and organize the garage, straighten up the attic, go through all of the rooms in your house, and discard or donate any items you haven’t...
Finding Your Dream Laundromat
Industry Experts Share the Leading Characteristics of a Winning Laundry Location “Location, location, location.” You’ve heard it hundreds of times. It’s the key to retail success. It’s your magic wand to laundromat riches. Just find that ideal location. But what makes...
Headlines
HappyNest Adds New Jersey Laundromat Partner
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest has expanded its availability to Middlesex County, New Jersey, through the company’s new partner, Sudz N Dripz Laundromat. Based in North Brunswick, the facility now provides HappyNest services to residents and businesses...
States Seeking Inflation Relief
Inflation has become an increasingly prevalent issue for state legislators in recent months. In August, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, which targets energy and prescription drug costs in hopes of having a positive impact on runaway costs. However,...
SBA Announces Grants for Micro-Entrepreneurs
The Small Business Administration has announced a $7.2 million grant award to 38 organizations under the Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) – a $1.7 million increase, up 30 percent from last year’s allocated $5,500,000 in funding. The PRIME award...
The Power of a Pro Forma
Don’t Neglect One of Your Laundry Business’ Most Important Planning Tools Whether you’re purchasing and renovating an existing laundromat or starting one from scratch, a pro forma income statement is one of an investor’s most important tools in not only attaining...
A Long Laundry Heritage
Arizona Commercial Laundry Leans Heavily on Its Industry Knowledge and First-Class Customer Service Arizona Commercial Laundry – a full-service laundry distributor headquartered in Phoenix – can trace its commercial laundry industry roots back more than 60 years… and...
HappyNest Expands Reach in Texas
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest has expanded its availability to Georgetown, Texas, through the company’s new partner, U Wash M Laundromat. Based in Georgetown, the laundry facility is now providing HappyNest’s services to residents and businesses in the...
Whirlpool to Reach 100% Renewable Electricity for U.S. Plant Operations
Whirlpool Corp. recently announced that it has entered into a second wind Virtual Power Purchase Agreement to accelerate progress toward its commitment to reach net zero emissions in its plants and operations by 2030. This latest agreement with ENGIE North America...
Wash with Wally: Removing Wine Stains, Washing Silk Shirts, More…
My wash-dry-fold service recently has received a number of garments with wine stains. We’ve done a decent job of getting out most of the stains, but not all of them. Do you have any suggestions to help us tackle any wine stains we may encounter in the future? Wine is...
Coin-O-Matic to Host Free Event for Laundromat Owners, Investors
Coin-O-Matic will host a free educational and networking event for laundromat owners and investors on October 18 at the company’s headquarters in Alsip, Ill. Throughout the daylong event, attendees will be able to watch live product demonstrations of Maytag laundry...
Join the Conversation, Part 2
How to Build Your Laundry’s Brand Through Social Media Marketing [This is the second of a two-part feature on how laundromat owners can use social media to market their businesses and build their brands. You can read Part 1 here.] Long-time laundromat owner Patti...
CLA Launches Initiative for Women in the Vended Laundry Industry
In 2019, the Coin Laundry Association held its first luncheon for women in vended laundry during the Clean Show in New Orleans. Nearly 80 people attended and the feedback was positive. Due to the pandemic, the next event to focus on women in the laundromat industry...
Three LaundroLab Locations Coming to Denver
Two military veterans are bringing the LaundroLab franchise concept to their Denver communities. Shannon Christianson and Evette Velez are laying the groundwork for a family venture in hopes that their 13-year-old daughter eventually can become involved in the...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Green is Good Business: Green Operations Increasingly Important to Feed Consumer Demand
- Women In Laundry: Lee Ann Geurts Loves a Challenge
- Store Profile: Kings Laundry Kicking it in Los Angeles
- Untapped Growth Opportunities
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
ACI Unveils Redesigned Website Promoting Cold-Water Washing
The American Cleaning Institute has launched a redesigned website for its Cold Water Saves initiative, which is a joint effort of ACI and The Sustainability Consortium to promote the power of cold-water washing. Originally launched in 2016, Cold Water Saves aims to...
EPA Maintains ‘Safer Choice’ Status of Chemistry Used in Detergent Packaging
The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a petition requesting increased testing and a change to the safety status of key chemistry used to make concentrated detergent unit-dose packets and sheets from its Safer Choice program. At issue was a call from a...
GNA Honors Fowler Laundry Solutions
Fowler Laundry Solutions, based in Union, N.J., has received its fifth consecutive Girbau North America Multi-Housing Distributor of the Year Award for outstanding service, sales, and support in the multi-housing laundry market. Led by Doug Fowler and founded in 1952,...
GNA Adds to Headquarters Staff
Girbau North America recently welcomed Barb Kramer as national accounts coordinator and Paige Paulick as inside sales associate. Kramer handles multiple duties in support of national accounts sales and customer relations, including order processing, assisting...
Speed Queen Adds Third Franchise Location in Dallas Market
Speed Queen has continued to expand its laundromat franchise in Dallas. The newest Speed Queen Laundry – located at 2950 Walnut Hill Lane – is the third such store in the Dallas area. “We’re excited to add another great location to the Dallas market and give these...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Growing Your Business by Serving Your Community
Seniors and Other Niche Market Segments May Be Perfect Opportunities to Build Your Wash-Dry-Fold Clientele In many ways, doing wash-dry-fold laundry for seniors in your community can almost be considered a public service commitment. At my store, I have about half a...
The Business Mind
‘In the Middle of Every Difficulty Lies Opportunity’
How to Stay Wired to Successfully Deal with the COVID-19 Pandemic Can I be completely honest with you? I certainly don’t in any way mean to minimize the very real human toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacted. However, I’m finding this whole coronavirus mess to be...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Removing Permanent Marker Stains
How can I best remove black, permanent marker stains from a pair of heavy-duty, brown duck fabric coveralls? Any leads you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Admittedly, some black marker stains can be very difficult to remove, especially if the spots have been...
Viewpoint
Define Your Business
Of all the factors impacting the success of a laundromat, site selection is right up there with having sufficient capital to launch and operate a new business. Both affect a business' chances of succeeding to a larger degree than almost any other factors.With that...
Digital Marketing
Go Beyond Basic Website Maintenance
Three Tips to Help ‘Future-Proof’ Your Business’ Site One of the biggest draws of the vended laundry industry is that it’s “future-proof.” In other words, unless there’s some type of apocalypse that none of us see coming, people are going to need to do their laundry....
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.
