How to choose the right laundry payment system

Some laundromat owners choose a payment system in an afternoon. Others spend weeks trying to sort through coins, cards, apps, and customer expectations. The truth sits somewhere in the middle: the right laundry payment system is the one that keeps customers flowing, machines running, and cash headaches away. And yes—there is a clear way to pick the right one.

Here’s the short version up top:Choose a system that’s reliable, mobile-friendly, easy for customers to use, simple for you to manage, and backed by proper local support. Everything else—hardware costs, fees, automation, security—sits underneath those pillars.

Below is the full breakdown, written from what I’ve seen across 12+ years of helping Aussie operators modernise their laundromats.

What actually makes a laundry payment system “right” for your store?

Anyone who’s ever emptied coin boxes at 10pm knows the pain: jammed slots, missing coins, awkward access panels. A good payment setup removes friction on both sides of the counter.

Most laundromats today choose a hybrid system that lets customers pay via:

• Tap-and-go cards

• Mobile payments

• QR-based digital wallets

• Cashless apps

• And in some cases, coins as a backup

The trick isn’t picking everything. It’s choosing what your customers will actually use—something many new owners underestimate.

What questions should you ask before choosing a payment system?

Think of these as the “pub-test questions”—the stuff you’d ask a mate before dropping a few grand on new hardware.

1. Will your customers understand how to use it in under 10 seconds?

If not, you’ll see:

• Queues forming

• More refund requests

• Confused first-timers hovering near the dryers

Ease of use isn’t just UX—it taps into a behavioural science principle called cognitive load. When things feel harder than expected, people subconsciously avoid them.

A simple on-machine screen, a big “Tap to Pay” prompt, or a QR code that actually leads somewhere clean and usable can make the difference between an abandoned wash and a loyal regular.

2. Does the system reduce your weekly admin load?

Owners often forget this part. They fixate on fees but ignore labour.

Consider:

• Automatic payouts

• Real-time machine monitoring

• Error alerts

• GST-ready reporting

• Remote price changes

A good payment system quietly cuts away hours of manual work. I’ve seen operators go from three hours of reconciliation a week to ten minutes.

3. Does it integrate with your existing machines?

Not every reader fits every washer or dryer. Some older machines need retrofit kits. Others work straight out of the box.

A quick compatibility check saves hundreds. And it stops you scrambling for workaround parts later—something nearly every long-time operator has a story about.

4. Is the provider Australian-based with actual support?

This is one of those details people remember after something breaks.

A provider with local support:

• Understands Australian payments compliance

• Responds in hours, not days

• Has spare parts available domestically

And yes, this is where Cialdini’s principle of Authority kicks in—local expertise isn’t a bonus, it’s a conversion factor.

Are cashless laundromats really better?

Short answer: often yes—but not always.

Why operators lean cashless

• Fewer break-ins

• No coin jams

• Cleaner workflow

• Faster customer throughput

It also lets you adjust prices in seconds—something that became crucial during recent electricity price changes reported by the ACCC.ACCC electricity market insights

But here’s the caveat

Some suburbs still rely heavily on cash-based customers—students, older locals, or transient workers. In these spots, removing coins risks losing walk-ins.

A hybrid system solves most of this without costing much extra.

Which features actually matter (and which are shiny distractions)?

After seeing dozens of laundromats upgrade, these are the features that owners consistently rate as “worth it”:

High-value features

• Mobile pay and tap-and-go

• Remote machine monitoring

• Instant error alerts

• Secure encrypted transactions

• Easy reporting for tax time

• Durable hardware that survives heat, lint, and vibration

Distracting low-value features

• Overly complex apps customers must download

• Flashy screens with slow load times

• Systems that look modern but require frequent resets

A good payment system fades into the background. Customers shouldn’t think about it at all.

What mistakes do laundromat owners commonly make?

A few repeat offenders:

• Choosing the cheapest system and paying more later in repairs

• Ignoring machine compatibility

• Skipping local support options

• Installing systems customers won’t actually use

• Assuming “cashless” means everyone will adapt

One owner I worked with in Brisbane installed a US-based payment solution because it was $200 cheaper per reader. Two months later, the firmware wasn’t compatible with Australian cards. He replaced the entire setup.

Savings gone. Stress doubled.

What does a future-proof laundry payment setup look like?

Something that:

• Handles 100% digital payments smoothly

• Offers coins as an optional backup

• Lets you adjust pricing remotely

• Shows you machine usage trends

• Integrates with your store’s long-term plan (self-service, unattended, or mixed-use)

• Can scale up as you add more machines or locations

Think of it like a good tradie toolbox—you only want to buy it once.

FAQ: Quick, straight answers

Do I still need coin options?

Maybe. If your area skews older or transient, keeping coins can keep walk-ins happy.

Should I prioritise tap-and-go or app payments?

Tap-and-go wins for sheer speed and familiarity. Apps are handy but should never be the only option.

How long does installation usually take?

Most modern systems take 1–2 hours per store, depending on machine type.

Final thoughts

Choosing a laundry payment system isn’t glamorous, but it shapes the day-to-day heartbeat of your store. The right one feels invisible—customers glide through, machines stay busy, and you only notice the tech when you check your takings on a quiet Tuesday.

If you’re weighing up your options, it’s worth exploring systems built for Australian operators and seeing how flexible their setup is. Many shop owners find confidence in solutions built specifically for local laundromats, like those discussed on the Bubblepay site. You can read more about what goes into an effective laundry payment system and decide what fits your store’s rhythm.