What Are the Pros and Cons of Coinless Laundry?

Why are more laundromats ditching coins in favour of digital payments? On the surface, it looks like a tech upgrade. But behind the shift lies a deeper push: to make laundry easier, faster, and frankly, less annoying for everyone involved. Still, like any change, coinless laundry has both benefits and trade-offs worth unpacking.

Let’s dig into the real-world pros and cons of contactless laundry payment systems — no fluff, just the facts (and a few dirty socks).

What is coinless laundry, exactly?

Coinless or cashless laundry refers to laundromat machines that accept payments via:

• Debit/credit cards

• Mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay)

• Pre-loaded laundry apps or NFC tap cards

No more hoarding gold coins or feeding machines like a pokie. The transaction becomes as quick as tapping a card or phone.

Why are laundromats moving away from coins?

Because managing coins is a pain — for both operators and customers.

For owners:

• Less cash handling reduces theft risk and time spent emptying machines.

• Maintenance drops — coin mechanisms jam, wear out, or get vandalised.

• Modern payments boost revenue, as people are more likely to spend when it's seamless.

For customers:

• Fewer last-minute dashes to find coins.

• Clearer machine availability and payment records via apps.

• Faster, easier experience – particularly for international visitors or younger users who rarely carry cash.

Psychologically, it also taps into a well-known principle: ease increases action. As Bri Williams often notes, frictionless paths = higher compliance.

What are the pros of going coinless?

Let’s break it down from both a business and consumer lens.

1. Convenience and speed (for everyone)

Contactless taps are fast. No fiddling with coins, no queues at change machines.

For busy urbanites, parents juggling kids, or shift workers on odd hours, that speed is golden.

2. Better machine uptime

Fewer moving parts = fewer breakdowns. Coin jams are a top cause of machine downtime. Digital systems reduce this.

Plus, operators get live alerts when machines are idle or underused — allowing smarter scheduling or servicing.

3. Easier accounting and business management

Digital payments create automatic records. No counting coins, no human errors, no banking delays.

This plays into Cialdini’s consistency principle: when you give owners real-time, trackable data, they make better, more consistent decisions over time.

4. Customer insights

Apps can show usage trends, busy periods, customer frequency — even reward loyalty.

This data goldmine lets savvy operators fine-tune pricing, promos, and layout.

5. Improved hygiene

Post-COVID, touching fewer surfaces matters. Less cash means fewer germ exchanges — a subtle but sticky behavioural nudge.

6. Reduced theft and vandalism

Coin-operated machines are a magnet for break-ins. With digital-only setups, there’s nothing to steal.

As one Sydney laundromat owner said in a Choice interview, “Since switching to app-only payments, we haven’t had a single break-in attempt. That alone paid for the upgrade.” (source)

And what are the cons?

Let’s be honest — going fully coinless isn’t all upside.

1. It can alienate some users

Not everyone is on board with tech. Elderly customers, tourists without data, or low-income groups may struggle with:

• App downloads

• Digital literacy

• No access to cards or tap-to-pay phones

That’s a real equity issue, especially in diverse neighbourhoods.

2. System failures and downtime

When tech fails, everything grinds to a halt. No payment = no wash.

Operators need strong backup systems and real-time support. A single outage can tank your day’s earnings.

3. Setup costs

Upgrading to contactless systems isn’t free. Costs include:

• Hardware upgrades

• Payment processing fees

• App integration or subscriptions

Though many find the ROI justifies it, the upfront bill can be steep — particularly for small operators or older stores.

4. Privacy concerns

Some users may balk at apps tracking their usage or requiring sign-ups. While most systems anonymise data, the perception of surveillance can be off-putting.

5. Connectivity issues

No Wi-Fi? Patchy mobile data? You might be standing in front of a machine you can’t use — not ideal if you’ve lugged in two weeks’ worth of washing.

Is coinless laundry better overall?

It depends on who you ask.

For most urban areas, the benefits outweigh the costs. Customers get speed, convenience, and better service. Owners get less theft, better data, and smoother operations.

But in regional towns, low-income areas, or older demographics, going fully cashless might alienate regulars. A hybrid approach — offering both coins and cards — may be the sweet spot for some locations.

The key is understanding your customers. Behavioural science reminds us that even rational systems fail when they ignore the emotional, social, or logistical context.

Real-life example: Melbourne inner north

In Preston, a laundromat switched to app-only payments last year. Initially, regulars pushed back — particularly older Vietnamese residents.

The owners responded by holding small “how-to” sessions, showing people how to use the app and offering credits to early adopters (hello, reciprocity principle).

Within 3 months, usage returned to normal — and the owners now report 20% higher average spend per visit, thanks to upsells like extra rinses or dryer time.

FAQ

Do coinless laundries still allow coins as backup?Some do — especially in mixed-demographic areas. But many newer setups are 100% digital.

Are laundry apps secure?Most reputable apps use encryption and don’t store full card details. Still, always use trusted platforms.

Can landlords or operators track usage?Yes, but typically only in anonymised formats. It’s used more for trends than individual tracking.

While the idea of a coin-free world might feel futuristic, laundry is one space where it’s already happening. And as more customers embrace frictionless, digital-first experiences, it’s no surprise laundromats are scrubbing away the old ways.

That said, any operator considering the shift should weigh their audience carefully — and maybe keep a few coins in the drawer, just in case.

To see an example of smart, flexible contactless laundry payment options in action, this is worth a look.