Can you start a laundromat with leased equipment only?

 Starting a laundromat with leased equipment only is not just possible — it’s actually how many Aussie operators quietly get their start. Leasing shifts the heavy upfront cost into predictable monthly payments, giving you a cleaner runway while you learn the ropes of the industry. Anyone who's ever stared down the price of a commercial washer knows the feeling: your heart does a little backflip, and you instantly start looking for another way in.

Below is a full breakdown of how leasing works, why it’s become the go-to for first-time owners, and a few realities you don’t hear until you’re knee-deep in lint traps and water-efficiency charts.

Can you really start a laundromat using leased equipment only?

Yes — plenty of operators do. If you’ve ever chatted with long-time laundromat owners in regional Australia, you’ll hear the same thing: “I didn’t buy a single machine upfront.” Leasing lets you open doors faster, hold onto cash for fit-outs and marketing, and scale as demand grows.

It works particularly well in suburbs where foot traffic is steady but margins can feel a bit tight during the early months. Leasing keeps your fixed costs predictable, which helps you maintain consistency — one of Cialdini’s most powerful persuasion principles — in how you plan and grow the business.

What equipment can you lease to open a laundromat?

Just about everything that matters:

  • Commercial washers (small to extra-large capacity)

  • Gas and electric dryers

  • Smart payment systems

  • Laundry card kiosks

  • Folding tables and stainless benches

  • Vending units for detergent or fabric softener

In practice, the machines are the real investment. A single 20kg washer can cost as much as a small used car. Leasing lets you avoid that giant outlay while still accessing the latest energy-efficient tech — often the exact same models large chains use.

A mate who runs a laundromat in Perth once told me he swapped out his older machines for high-spin leased washers and watched his drying times drop almost overnight. Customers noticed, and word spread. That’s the subtle power of social proof in the laundromat game: when machines look new and perform well, people assume the whole experience will be better.

Why do new operators choose leasing over buying?

Here’s the blunt, no-fluff version most seasoned laundromat owners learn the hard way.

1. Lower upfront costs

Buying everything outright can stretch well into six figures. Leasing keeps your cash free for rent bonds, signage, security upgrades, and the endless stream of small expenses that pop up in the first three months.

2. Predictable monthly payments

A fixed lease payment is mentally easier to plan around. You know what’s leaving the account each month, and that stability makes for better decision-making — something behavioural economists have been saying for years.

3. Maintenance often included

Many leasing companies cover maintenance, meaning you avoid those “oh-no, the dryer’s eating coins again” surprises. And yes, anyone who's run a laundromat will tell you: breakdowns don’t happen politely.

4. Easier upgrades

Tech moves quickly. Smart payment systems, lower water-use models, energy-efficient dryers. Leasing lets you roll into newer models without selling old stock at a loss.

5. Lower risk while you test location viability

Some suburbs boom, others plateau. Leasing protects you from being stuck with depreciating machinery if you need to pivot, relocate, or expand.

Are there downsides to using leased laundromat machines?

Of course — nothing in small business is completely clean and wrinkle-free.

Higher overall cost across the contract

You’ll generally pay more in total compared to buying outright. That’s the trade-off for conserving cash and getting bundled service.

Locked-in terms

Breaking a lease can be painful. If your business model changes, you might not have full flexibility.

Maintenance quality varies

Some providers respond fast, others take their time. A broken washer on a Saturday morning is the closest thing this industry has to a horror film.

How much do laundromat equipment leases cost?

Exact numbers vary, but here’s what Australian operators commonly report:

  • Washers: $100–$350 per month each

  • Dryers: $80–$250 per month each

  • Smart payment systems: $30–$100 per month

It adds up quickly, but so does the revenue. Laundromats are steady earners because once customers form a habit — especially in apartments or suburbs with limited space — they rarely switch unless the machines deteriorate. Again, social proof at work: the appearance of reliability attracts and retains.

If you want a sense of typical laundromat revenues, the Queensland Government’s small business hub has a clear overview of cost structures for service-based businesses. It’s not laundromat-specific, but the economic models are similar: predictable recurring demand, equipment-heavy operations, and stable margins.
Australian Small Business Guide

Are leased machines reliable enough for a first-time laundromat?

Absolutely — in fact, they’re often more reliable because leasing companies want machines back in decent condition. You’re not getting budget gear; you’re getting commercial models engineered to run long hours.

A small business owner I interviewed for a feature piece years ago said something that stuck: “The machines worked harder than I did most days. Leasing kept them in shape.” There’s truth in that. Good industrial equipment has a rhythm — the hum of a washer hitting full spin, the warm rush when the dryer doors open — and you learn to trust it.

What’s the smartest way to start a laundromat using leased equipment?

Here’s a simple, behaviour-led game plan:

  1. Start smaller than you think.
    Eight washers, eight dryers. Enough to meet demand without stretching your lease commitments.

  2. Choose high-visibility over huge space.
    A bright corner location near a café beats a hidden industrial unit every time.

  3. Invest in experience, not just machines.
    Clean floors, decent lighting, a bench that doesn’t wobble. Simple cues make people feel safe.

  4. Scale once revenue stabilises.
    Consistency builds confidence — both for you and your customers.

  5. Use data from your payment system.
    Busy times, machine preference, failure alerts. You’ll make better decisions with real numbers.

FAQ

Can I run a laundromat without owning any machines?

Yes. Many operators lease 100% of their washers and dryers, especially in the first 3–5 years.

Is leasing better for small suburbs or regional towns?

Often, yes. Leasing reduces risk in areas where demand may fluctuate seasonally.

Can I mix leased and purchased equipment?

Absolutely. Some owners buy smaller washers and lease the big-ticket items like 27kg units.

A final thought

Starting a laundromat with leased equipment isn’t a shortcut — it’s a strategy. One that gives you breathing room, lets you learn on your feet, and keeps the financial bumps manageable. Over time, you’ll work out what needs upgrading, what customers love, and what you’d do differently next time. Funny how a row of washers can teach you patience, pattern recognition, and the value of steady rhythms.

If you’re curious about planning your setup, this guide on laundromat machines for lease walks through the equipment choices in more depth.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Evolution of Laundry: From Riverbanks to High-Tech Laundrettes

Image
  In the age of convenience, where Uber eats our dinner and Netflix suggests what we should watch, the humble local laundromat is quietly staging a comeback—and not just for the spin cycle. For many, especially those in inner-city Melbourne suburbs like Northcote, a laundromat isn’t just about washing clothes. It’s becoming a hub of community, routine, and even connection. But why is this shift happening, and what can we learn from it? Why are more people choosing community laundromats over at-home washing? Let’s cut to the chase: time, space, and lifestyle are driving people back to local laundromats. With housing getting tighter (think studio apartments and townhouses), many Northcote locals simply don’t have the room for bulky appliances or the patience for multi-hour wash-dry cycles at home. Combine that with a growing gig economy, shared living, and a yearning for community, and laundromats are suddenly the surprise third place—somewhere between home and work—where people are ...
Read more

How Much Does a Load of Washing Cost? A No-Nonsense Guide for Aussie Households

  Quick answer: A single load of washing at home costs between $0.60 and $1.80 , depending on your machine type, electricity and water rates, and whether you use hot or cold water. At a laundromat, the cost usually sits between $4 and $7 per wash, with drying an extra $1–$2 per 10 minutes . That said, there’s more to it than just dollars and cents. Let’s break down the actual cost of a load of laundry—at home and at the laundromat—and why the cheaper option isn’t always the better value.  What does it cost to wash a load at home? To understand the full cost, you need to account for: Electricity Water Detergent Machine depreciation (wear and tear) Let’s take a closer look. Electricity Most front-loading washing machines use around 0.6 to 1.5 kWh per cycle . If your electricity rate is $0.30 per kWh , the power cost is: Cold wash: ~$0.20–$0.30 Warm wash: ~$0.35–$0.45 Hot wash: ~$0.50–$0.70 Hot washes are the real energy guzzlers. Water A mode...
Read more

The Evolution of Laundry: From Riverbanks to Smart Laundromats

Image
From Rocks to Robots: How Laundry Changed the Way We Live Laundry has never just been about clothes. It’s a mirror of our times—a humble yet revealing window into how we adapt, evolve, and outsource discomfort. From ancient riverbanks to AI-assisted machines, the way we clean clothes tells us a lot about who we are and what we value. Quick takeaway: Laundry has gone from a communal, labour-intensive task to a highly automated, on-demand service. It’s not just about convenience—it's about time, hygiene, mental load, and shifting social expectations. So, how did we go from pounding fabric on stones to tapping a few buttons on our phone and getting fresh-smelling clothes the next day? Let’s explore. Why Was Laundry So Hard in the Past? Anyone who's scrubbed a stain out by hand knows—it’s brutal on both the back and the patience. Before the 20th century, washing clothes was a weekly (or monthly) slog. People beat garments against rocks or used wooden paddles to agitate dirt loose....
Read more