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.
From Demographics to Dollars
Industry Experts Decode the Art and Science of Finding the Ideal Laundromat 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...
Born of Necessity and Innovation
Local Entrepreneurs Build Sustainable Alaskan Laundromat, Addressing Arctic Challenges and Community Needs In the heart of Fairbanks, Alaska, which is well known for evening skies painted brilliant hues by the Northern Lights and lit brightly by the midnight sun, a...
Getting Involved
Today’s Laundry Owners Are Strengthening Their Local Ties and Making a Difference Through Neighborhood Outreach and Community Engagement Initiatives As a laundromat owner, engaging with the neighborhoods you serve is not only about building a successful business, but...
Headlines
Curbside.2024 Conference a Success
More than 180 attendees packed the Curbside.2024 Conference in Long Beach, Calif. This inaugural event was open to all who are interested in starting or growing a wash-dry-fold and laundry pickup-and-delivery business. The conference featured several speakers who are...
CleanCloud Now Partners with Businesses in More Than 100 Countries
Laundromat software provider CleanCloud recently announced that it now partners with businesses in more than 100 countries worldwide. The milestone “solidifies CleanCloud’s position as the largest operator in terms of absolute customers and global reach within the...
CLA’s Advocacy on Microfiber Filter Mandates Accelerates with Significant Manufacturer Support
Despite the calendar turning to a lighter legislative schedule and the majority of the focus shifting toward the November elections, CLA continues its strategic planning to battle ongoing threats from microfiber filtration requirements on commercial washers. In 2023...
CLA’s Thomas Helps Mentor the Next Generation
CLA Director of Advertising and Sponsorship Sales Nika Thomas recently became a mentor for The Annabelle Project, which is a program where seasoned event industry professionals mentor college-age applicants of color for one year. The aim of the project is to give the...
Through Your Customers’ Eyes
Taking the Mystery Out of Customer Service In a former life, I used to sell mystery shopping services. And most of the mom-and-pop entrepreneurs I approached typically had trouble understanding why they needed it. However, they heartily agreed that “large” companies...
Continental Girbau West to Host Vended Laundry Profit Symposiums
Continental Girbau West has announced two upcoming Vended Laundry Profit Symposiums – one on September 25 in Tempe, Ariz., and the other on September 28 in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. These free events – both of which will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – are open to...
Mountain Electronics Acquires Assets of Metro Laundry Tech Corp.
Mountain Electronics, headquartered in Burnsville, N.C., has acquired the assets of Metro Laundry Tech Corp., a remanufacturer of commercial laundry equipment based in New York City. All of Metro Laundry Tech’s repair services will be relocated to Mountain’s facility...
Cents Raises $40 Million Series B Funding to Support Garment-Care Industry
Laundry business management platform Cents has announced the close of a $40 million Series B funding round. The round was led by strategic venture capital firm Camber Creek, with participation from previous investors Bessemer Venture Partners and Tiger Global....
HappyNest Expands Service in Florida
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest has expanded its availability within the Orlando, Fla., market through its new partner, Lake Eustis Laundry Inc. The facility now provides PUD laundry services to residents and businesses in Yalaha, Kissimmee, Sorrento,...
Safeguarding the Sales Tax Exemption for Self-Service Laundry in Nebraska
Earlier this year, various legislators introduced no fewer than eight bills that sought to expand the sales tax base in the state of Nebraska. If any of those bills were to pass and include self-service laundry as part of their tax expansion plans, laundromat owners...
Alliance’s ProCapture Video Wins Four Awards at Industry Event
Alliance Laundry Systems’ launch video for the company’s new lint capture system, ProCapture, recently was recognized by the video industry. The video picked up four awards at the Telly Awards, which honor excellence in video and television across all screens....
From Demographics to Dollars
Industry Experts Decode the Art and Science of Finding the Ideal Laundromat 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...
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This Month's Issue
- Get Clear to Keep it Clean: Find Focus to Maximize Your Marketing Efforts
- Women In Laundry: From the Washroom to the Boardroom
- Store Profile: Southern Suds Changing the Game
- Member Spotlight: Hutchinson Belt Drive Systems
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Huebsch Honors Rhino Laundry
Huebsch recently named Rhino Laundry & Dry Cleaning Specialists its 2023 Distributor of the Year. “The Rhino team has really taken our Huebsch brand to new heights in its market, particularly in 2023,” said Craig Dakauskas, senior vice president of North America...
Presso Teams Up with WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems
Presso recently announced a collaboration with WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems LLC, a leading laundry route operator serving multifamily properties and hotels. The strategic collaboration will bring Presso equipment to WASH’s current customers at certain WASH Laundry...
HappyNest Names Head of Product and Security
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest has introduced Steve Staden as the company’s new head of product and security. Staden has more than 20 years of experience in software product management and cybersecurity. Prior to joining HappyNest, he served as the...
CLA Hosts In-Person Event on How to Start a Laundromat
CLA, formerly the Coin Laundry Association, marked a successful debut for its first in-person “How to Start a Laundromat” workshop, which was held November 12 at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Ill. The inaugural event...
Industry Mourns Bill Brooks
William “Bill” Brooks, who served the laundry industry for more than 30 years, died last month at the age of 62. Brooks attended Berlin High School in Berlin, Wis., then Concordia College in St. Paul, Minn., where he played football. While studying at Concordia, he...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Avoid Shortcuts
All Garment-Care Solutions Are Not Created Equal I often read the posts and subsequent comments on the various Facebook feeds targeting the laundry business. I love the idea of people interacting with each other and sharing ideas and best practices – especially with...
The Business Mind
Relatively Speaking
How to Navigate the Minefield of Working with Family Members Years ago, after earning my master’s degree in clinical psychology, I went to work in my father’s foundry business as the company’s director of sales. At the time – and as is likely the case today as well –...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: The Advantage of Hot-Water Washing
I’ve received a number of inquiries about the overall ability and effectiveness of laundry detergents to clean clothes in cold water. In other words, is there a substantial advantage to using warm or hot water when washing? There is a definite advantage to using hot...
Viewpoint
Measure Twice, Cut Once
I have a fond memory of my grandfather, a contractor by trade, helping me build a stepstool as a child. He wisely said, “Be sure to measure twice, and cut once.” That wisdom has stayed with me throughout my life. Within our industry, there are countless things to...
Digital Marketing
Cooking Up Success with Your Laundry Promotions
Creating Irresistible Promotional Programs for Your Business I love cooking. But, to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of following recipes to the T. I prefer to keep it simple and to add my own twist with different ingredients – a dash of this, a sprinkle of that… 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.
