If you’ve been in the laundromat business for more than five minutes, you know this truth: there’s always something that needs your attention. Lights left on all night. Thermostat set to “Antarctica” in July. Doors that mysteriously get left unlocked.

The more locations you own, the harder it is to keep tabs on the small things that eat away at your time, money, and sanity. That’s why automation isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore, it’s the difference between running your business and your business running you into the ground.

What Is Automation, Really?

When people hear the word “automation,” they think robots and assembly lines. But in our world, it’s simply using technology to make your laundromat run on its own.

It’s lights that turn on and off without you flipping a switch. It’s thermostats that adjust based on the weather and your hours. It’s doors that lock automatically when you close and unlock when you open. It’s security systems that let you see what’s going on in real time from anywhere in the world.

The goal is simple: put the repetitive, time-sucking tasks on autopilot so you can focus on running and growing the business.

Why Every Laundromat Owner Needs Automation

1. Save Time:

You can’t be everywhere at once. Automation lets you manage multiple stores without living in your car or making a dozen unnecessary trips. 

2. Save Money:

Smart lighting and HVAC can slash utility bills. Automated locks can cut down on unnecessary labor hours. Utility monitoring can alert you to leaks or waste before they get expensive.

3. Reduce Stress:

You stop worrying about whether the doors are locked, the lights are off, or the bathroom’s been left open. You know the system has it handled.

Real-Life Story #1: The Fingerprint Door That Saved My Morning

Every exterior door and bathroom at my stores is electronically controlled with a fingerprint scanner or digital code. It’s one of those “set it and forget it” systems that I can control from my phone.

One morning, I got a call from an attendant who was filling in at a location she didn’t normally work. She’d forgotten to have us set up her access code, and I was over an hour away. To make it worse, customers were already lined up in the drive-thru five minutes before we were supposed to open. No one local could get there fast enough to help.

Instead of panicking or making those customers wait, I just pulled up the app on my phone and unlocked the door remotely. Problem solved in seconds. No time lost. No red-faced employee having to explain why we couldn’t open. And most importantly, no frustrated customers driving off to the competition.

Real-Life Story #2: How Lights, Music, and Cameras Keep My Stores Safe

All of my interior and exterior lights are on cloud-based timers. In the final 30 minutes before we close, the lights turn off in stages. Two of my stores even have color-changing LEDs that switch from bright white to red 15 minutes before closing.

At the same time, my digital signage changes from cheery music with announcements to techno music with a driving beat and a 15-minute countdown timer. It’s my way of saying, “We’re wrapping up, folks,” without having to walk around and tap people on the shoulder.

Once we’re closed, the lights go completely off for an hour. But at 10 p.m., they flip back on at full brightness. The sound system switches to church hymns, and my TVs display live security camera feeds. When someone walks up to a door or window, they see themselves on screen, clear as day.

It’s amazing how effective this is. I’ve had motion alerts in the middle of the night where I’ve watched people walk the perimeter, clearly sizing up the place. The moment they hear the music or catch their reflection on the monitors, they rethink their evening plans and move on.

Do I think it stops every potential criminal? No. But if I can get someone to reconsider and go find an easier target, I’ll take that win every time!

Automation Ideas for Laundromats

Here are some simple but powerful systems you can put in place:

• Exterior and Interior Smart Lighting: Set on timers or motion sensors to save on electricity while keeping your store safe and inviting.
• Digital Signage: Update promotions, wash-and-fold offers, or community messages without printing a single flyer.
• Automated TVs & Music Systems: Pre-program content so you control what’s playing and when—no more random soap operas on the TV.
• Smart HVAC Systems: Thermostats that adjust based on weather, hours, and occupancy.
• Electronic Door Locks: Control access for employees, vendors, and even customers if you run a drive-thru or VIP area.
• Controlled Bathroom Access: Keep restrooms locked unless a customer is actually using them, which cuts down on vandalism and cleaning costs.
• Utility Monitoring: Get alerts for water leaks, excessive usage, or machine malfunctions before they cost you thousands.
• Smart (AI) Security Cameras: Check in from anywhere and get alerts for suspicious activity.

The Bottom Line

Automation isn’t about replacing people. It’s about freeing up you and your team to focus on what actually grows your business… serving customers, marketing, and finding new opportunities.

If you’re still doing everything manually, you’re working harder than you have to. With the right tools, your laundromat can almost run itself. And when things do go wrong, you’ll have the control and visibility to fix them fast… even if you’re sitting at home in your pajamas.