What Equipment Do You Need to Start a Laundromat on Lease?

Some people think opening a laundromat on lease is as simple as plugging in a few washers and hoping for the best. Anyone who’s ever stepped into the back room of a busy coin laundry knows it’s a much bigger beast. The short answer? You’ll need commercial-grade washers, dryers, payment systems, ventilation, plumbing, and a few often-forgotten bits that quietly keep the whole show running. But the real trick is choosing gear that won’t chew through your budget—or your patience—in the first six months.

Below is a clear, experience-backed breakdown of what equipment you genuinely need, why it matters, and how first-time operators avoid the usual traps.

What’s the essential equipment you need to start a laundromat on lease?

If you’re opening with leased equipment (which many Aussie owners do to reduce upfront risk), you’ll typically need:

Commercial washing machines (usually 8kg–18kg capacity mix)
Commercial dryers
A payment system (coin, cashless, app-based or hybrid)
Water heating system (gas, electric, or heat pump)
Detergent dispensers or vending units
Laundry carts and folding benches
CCTV and security
Signage and lighting
Ventilation and ducting

Most suppliers bundle the big-ticket items into a lease, while the “little things” fall on your shoulders. Funny how those little things add up—folding tables, waste bins, wall hooks for baskets. You notice their absence the moment customers start asking, “Where do I put this?”

What type of washers and dryers do laundromats usually need?

A healthy mix. Too many small machines and customers queue. Too many big machines and you’ve overinvested. Most operators blend:

Small washers (8–10kg): Everyday loads
Mid-size washers (13–15kg): Family-sized loads
Large washers (18kg+): Doonas, towels, workwear

Dryers follow the same pattern. And here’s the insider tip: dryers are your money-makers. They run hotter, faster, and more frequently than the washers, especially in winter or coastal towns where clothes rarely dry on the line.

There’s some helpful industry data on load capacity and usage patterns via the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which often reports on household laundry behaviour patterns. A nice general reference is here: ABS Household Data.

Do you need a special payment system for a leased laundromat?

In 2025, customers expect choice. Coin-only stores feel like relics unless you’re in an area where cash is still the local habit. Many modern laundromats combine:

Coin slots
Tap-and-go terminals
App-based payments
Loyalty cards

A multi-pay setup fits the Cialdini principle of Consistency—people prefer businesses that let them behave the way they already do. If locals are used to tapping everywhere else, they’ll expect to tap at your washers too.

What about water heating—do you need a boiler?

Short answer: yes. Hot water boosts wash quality and helps the machines work efficiently. Operators generally choose among:

Gas boilers (fast recovery, great for heavy use)
Electric systems (simpler setup, higher running cost)
Heat pumps (energy efficient but higher upfront cost)

A laundromat without reliable hot water is a laundromat with complaints. Anyone who’s run one will tell you: cold loads are the first thing customers blame when clothes don’t smell fresh.

Is ventilation really that important?

More than people think. Poor airflow leads to:

Dampness
Slower dryer cycles
Higher power bills
Mould (a nightmare for compliance)

A good ducting system also extends the life of your dryers. If you’ve ever stood near a poorly ventilated laundromat, you know the feeling—it’s like stepping into a sauna wrapped in hot lint.

What smaller equipment gets forgotten during setup?

A few unsexy necessities:

Wall-mounted baskets or shelving
Rubber mats for safety
Folding benches
Cleaning gear
Change machines
Spare lint filters
Lighting that doesn’t hum like an old fridge

Those who’ve run laundromats for years can rattle off dozens of “tiny essentials” that prevent daily headaches. It’s the little bits that keep customers comfortable and your staff sane.

Does leasing equipment really reduce risk for new operators?

Most first-time operators prefer leasing because:

Upfront cost is dramatically lower
Repairs and servicing are usually included
You can upgrade machines without buying new units
Cash flow is far easier to manage in year one

Social Proof comes in here: many successful suburban owners I’ve interviewed (some running shops for 10+ years) say leasing allowed them to scale far faster than buying outright. A couple even told me they wouldn’t have survived their first summer without included servicing—dryer belts snap at the worst times.

How much space do you actually need for a leased laundromat?

A practical range:

Small store: 40–60 sqm
Medium: 60–100 sqm
High-capacity: 100 sqm+

Make sure you allow room not just for machines, but also:

Walkways
Waiting area
Folding space
Vending units
Staff maintenance access

A cramped store feels cheap; a well-spaced store feels trustworthy and safe. And customers do choose based on vibe—ask any operator who’s installed brighter lights or bigger tables and watched revenue rise.

FAQ

How many machines should a new laundromat start with?

Most new operators begin with 6–10 washers and 6–8 dryers, adjusting based on local demand.

Can you open a laundromat without staff?

Yes. Many modern laundromats are fully unattended but rely heavily on CCTV and remote monitoring.

Do all laundromats need commercial plumbing?

Absolutely. Domestic plumbing can’t handle the flow rates or drainage volume of commercial laundry equipment.

Final thoughts

Starting a laundromat on lease isn’t a small decision, but the right equipment makes the business far more predictable. There’s a certain rhythm to a well-set-up laundry—machines humming steadily, dryers turning over quickly, customers coming and going without fuss. And once you’ve seen that rhythm in action, you realise how much of it comes down to choosing the right gear from the start.

If you're curious about what modern leasing setups include, it’s worth looking at more detailed options for laundromat machines for lease before you lock in your layout or budget.