Why More Aussie Laundromats Are Ditching Coins (And Why It’s Smarter Than You Think)

Remember the last time you fumbled around for loose change at a laundromat? You’re not alone. Across Australia, laundromat owners and customers alike are shifting away from coin-operated machines — and it’s not just for convenience. The rise of cashless laundromat payment systems is changing the game in ways that most people don’t see coming.

So, what exactly is a cashless laundromat payment system?

Let’s keep it simple. A cashless payment system in a laundromat lets customers pay using their phone, card, or app — no coins, no notes, no hassle. It’s often powered by QR codes, NFC taps, or apps that integrate with washers and dryers directly.

Here’s the kicker: it doesn’t just benefit the customer. For business owners, going cashless means fewer breakdowns, no coin collection stress, and a smarter way to run things.

Why are Australian laundromats switching to cashless?

There are three big behavioural drivers behind this shift:

• Ease of use: Frictionless experiences drive behaviour. Removing the need to hunt for coins lowers the barrier to usage. That’s a nudge in the right direction (Ferrier would approve).

• Social norms: Aussies are used to tapping for everything — your coffee, your train ride, even the weekend sausage sizzle. Cash feels more “last decade” than ever. Social proof matters here.

• Cost of inaction: Not upgrading to cashless isn’t neutral — it’s a cost. Maintenance, theft risk, lost business from card-only customers. You’re losing money without even noticing.

Are customers really demanding it?

Short answer: yes, and not just the tech-savvy Gen Z crowd.

Contactless and mobile payments are now default expectations in retail. According to the RBA, over 95% of point-of-sale transactions in Australia were cashless by the end of 2023. Laundromats are one of the few holdouts — and that’s changing fast.

Older Australians? They’re catching up too. My uncle, a retired tradie in his 60s, now pays for his pie at the servo with his phone. If he’s doing it, your customers probably are too.

What are the hidden benefits for laundromat owners?

This is where it gets juicy.

1. Reduced machine downtimeCoin jams are one of the most common causes of machine faults. No coins, no clogs.

2. Less theft and vandalismNo cash = no incentive for break-ins. That’s peace of mind — and lower insurance premiums.

3. Real-time tracking and insightsCashless platforms often come with dashboards that show machine usage, peak times, and customer trends. That’s marketing gold if you know how to use it.

4. Set-and-forget pricing updatesWant to raise dryer prices in summer? Or offer off-peak discounts midweek? With a cashless system, you can do that remotely, instantly.

Isn’t it expensive to set up?

Good question — and here’s the behavioural trick: anchoring.

When owners hear “cashless system”, their brains anchor the cost to EFTPOS terminals, bank fees, or expensive POS systems. But laundromat-specific solutions are designed for scale and simplicity.

Some platforms work off a subscription model, others take a tiny percentage of each transaction. There’s often no hardware beyond a QR sticker. The upfront investment is low, and the ROI is surprisingly fast — often within months.

How do you avoid alienating cash-only customers?

This is where commitment and consistency comes into play (cheers, Cialdini).

Most successful laundromats run both systems in parallel for a while. They keep coins for now, but nudge users toward cashless with small signage, one-off discounts, or app-only rewards. Once customers start tapping, they’re likely to keep doing it. That’s behaviour locking in through habit.

Eventually, the coin slots become backup, not the norm.

Real-world proof it’s working

One Sydney operator recently shifted three of their five locations to app-based payment only. In 60 days, their staff callouts for jammed machines dropped by 70%. Revenue was up too — not just from more use, but from slightly rounded-up pricing that customers didn’t question. $5.00 sounds neater than $4.80, doesn’t it?

In Melbourne’s inner north, a laundromat started trialling digital-only payment and found students and renters not only preferred it — they expected it.

If you’re still clinging to coins, you’re betting against customer expectation. That’s a risky hand to play.

FAQ

Q: What happens if the internet goes down?Most systems still allow for stored offline payment authorisations or work via mobile data. Worst case, customers just try again later — no worse than running out of $2 coins.

Q: Do I need new machines?Not necessarily. Many cashless platforms retrofit your existing machines with minimal fuss. It’s more software than hardware these days.

Q: How secure is the payment process?Reputable providers use bank-level encryption and are PCI DSS compliant. In many cases, it’s more secure than handling physical cash.

Is it time to let go of the coins?

If you’re running a laundromat, chances are you're already dealing with rising utility costs, rental increases, and customer churn. Holding on to cash might feel safe, but it’s probably slowing you down.

Making the switch to cashless laundromat payment isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a strategic move. A nudge in the direction your customers are already heading.

As behavioural economist Dan Ariely put it, “We’re not thinking machines that feel; we’re feeling machines that think.” And nothing feels easier than tap and go.