Laundromats are Evolving into Diverse Self-service Models

In many regions around the world, self-service laundry equipment has become an indispensable part of daily life. Even if many families are equipped with domestic washers and dryers, laundromats continue to play an irreplaceable role. Daily clothes can be washed at home, but bulk household textiles such as thick quilts, large-size curtains, and carpets cannot. At the beginning of each season, large quantities of clothing need to be washed and stored, which makes household washing and care difficult.

Laundromats can solve these pain points. They meet the washing and care needs of bulky items and large quantities of clothes. Nowadays, they are becoming social spaces for neighborhood interaction and relaxation, and are deeply integrated into the public’s daily life.

Traditionally, a laundromat is just an independent store. However, as the industry develops, laundromats have broken limits and evolved into various innovative models. They are not limited to the single offline washing shops. Washing machines are ubiquitous in supermarkets and convenience stores. There are even movable laundry shops. Diverse operation scenarios make the laundry service more convenient and efficient.

UK

The retail giant Asda in the UK launched a new convenience-focused initiative. From shopping malls to convenience stores, are being upgraded. Since May 2026, 700 stores of Asda will be gradually equipped with 24-hour self-service washing machines. Customers can put the clothes into the washers before purchasing fresh goods and groceries. Once they’ve finished shopping, the clothes have been washed and dried, which reduces household chores. A rational layout of equipment can meet the washing and care needs of both daily underwear and bulky textiles. 24-hour service maximizes the customer experience.

Thailand

In Thailand, the convenience store 7-ELEVEn is extending its service scope. It is known for providing a wide range of services. People can not only buy groceries, medicines, and cultural and creative souvenirs, but also handle daily services (utility bill payments). At present, large quantities of stores offer new self-service laundry services. They are gradually replacing the partial function of traditional dry cleaners. With the one-stop comprehensive service, they provide all-around convenience for local residents and tourists in their daily lives.

Japan

Due to the limited land resources and tiny homes, the self-service laundry industry in Japan has growth rapidly. As the apartments are becoming increasingly smaller, many families have no spare space to install washing machines. In this market environment, self-service laundry has become a necessity for residents.

However, traditional laundromats have shortcomings. Customers must make a special trip to the store. Door-to-door service is out of reach. For this pain point, Yamato Transport in Japan boldly innovates a special mobile laundromat. This ordinary shop is entirely built on a trailer and pulled by a truck to move at any time. 

The original intention of creating this equipment was to provide service for people suffering from natural disasters. The main business of Yamato was to transport relief supplies. After finding that the victims have difficulty washing clothes, the company developed a mobile laundromat. It can usually be rented and installed at rest stops and camp sites to meet the washing and care needs of outdoor enthusiasts. When disaster strikes, it can quickly move to the disaster area with its generator and water tank. It also supports different types of mobile payments. It is user-friendly.

Europe

In Europe, laundromats are not a single entity. They are moving towards integrated business models. Many stores cooperate with bars and cafes. When waiting for the laundry to be done, customers can have some coffee, enjoy drinks, and make new friends. The stores regularly hold themed parties to make the waiting time more interesting. Special areas for children’s books and family entertainment strike a balance between caring for babies and washing. Some shops offer catering services to build a one-stop experience of washing, dining, and relaxing. Now, a laundromat is a comprehensive lifestyle service space with relaxation, social contact, and convenience rather than a washing shop.

Conclusion

At present, business forms and scenarios are diverse. Running a hybrid laundromat calls for better smart equipment performance. Kingstar’s self-service washing and drying machine is equipped with a multi-language system and mainstream mobile payment systems, which meets the usage requirements of different people. Dozens of built-in washing and drying programs can automatically complete the entire wash and care steps. The stacked washer and dryer cover a small area. By efficiently using store space, it significantly reduces the site rents and operation costs. It is suitable for various innovative laundry business models, supporting the diverse development of the self-service laundry industry.

Q&A

Q1: Does Kingstar washer have a payment system?

A1: Yes. Washers support coin payment, card payment, QR code payment, and other payment systems, helping operators save additional costs.

Q2: Why are laundromats not popular in China? 

A2: Many families have washers. Many houses also have enough space for installation. If they have large clothing items or garments that cannot be washed at home, they will send them to the dry cleaners. So, laundromats are not popular in China.

Q3: If a laundromat needs to wash large-item fabrics (bedding and curtains), what capacity of self-service washers and dryers are recommended?

A3: It is recommended to select the Kingstar 25kg stacked washer dryer, which meets the capacity needs and saves space.