How many washers and dryers do you need to open a laundromat?

Some laundromat owners start with just a handful of machines. Others pack out a whole shopfront from day one. But the real question most new operators whisper sooner or later is the same: “How many washers and dryers do I actually need to open a laundromat without wasting money — or frustrating customers?”

The quick answer?
Most Australian start-ups launch with 8–12 washers and 8–10 dryers, scaling up as demand grows. But the right number for your store depends on floor space, local demographics, machine capacity mix, and turnover expectations.

Let’s break it down in plain language — the kind that helps real owners make confident decisions, not the sort that sends you squinting at spreadsheets until midnight.

How many machines does a typical Australian laundromat start with?

Most independent laundromats open with 16–22 machines total, spread across small, medium, and large washers and a mix of stacked and single dryers.

Here’s what an average entry setup often looks like:

4 small washers (6–8kg)
4 medium washers (9–12kg)
2–4 large washers (14–18kg)
8–10 dryers (mix of stacks and singles)

This mix usually gives enough capacity for weekend rushes while still leaving room to grow — and importantly, it avoids the dreaded “every machine is full” moment that sends new customers straight to competitors.

Anyone who’s sat in a laundromat on a rainy Sunday knows exactly how that feels.

What factors change how many washers and dryers you need?

1. Local population and rental density

If your area has lots of unit blocks, students, or short-stay accommodation, your usage rates will spike. In suburbs like these, owners often add extra dryers early because Aussies hate waiting for drying time — especially during winter.

2. Store size and floor plan

A smart layout can sometimes fit more capacity than you’d expect. Stacked dryers free up space, and positioning large washers at the back can help with flow. A cramped store feels stressful; a roomy one feels trustworthy — that’s the Cialdini principle of Liking in action.

3. Machine capacity mix

A store with more large washers needs fewer total machines. A store focused on quick-turnover washers (common near uni campuses) may need more units because loads change over faster.

4. Expected turnover

A busy suburban laundromat might cycle 3–5 loads per washer per day. A destination laundromat with strong social proof (clean fit-out, Google reviews, modern machines) might hit 6–8 cycles.

Your machine count should match your expected cycles — not just your floor space.

Do you need more dryers than washers?

Short answer: usually yes.

Drying takes longer than washing, sometimes twice as long. That means if you open with the same number of washers and dryers, you’ll quickly end up with bottlenecks.

A common ratio is:

1.5–2 dryer pockets per washer

So if you have 10 washers, you’ll likely want 15–20 dryer pockets. Stacked dryers make this easier without swallowing your whole store.

What’s the minimum number of machines to open a laundromat?

If you’re bootstrapping, you can start with:

6 washers
6 dryers

It won’t run as efficiently and you’ll have queues during peak times, but it works in small towns, tightly defined niches, or slow-growth markets.

Just remember: starting lean is fine — staying lean isn’t. Consistency signals professionalism, and customers build habits around predictable availability.

Should you lease machines instead of buying them upfront?

Many first-time owners underestimate the initial outlay. Buying machines requires tens of thousands upfront, while leasing spreads the cost and keeps cash free for renovation, security cameras, or building a tidy cash buffer.

Leasing also gives you the option to scale faster. When demand jumps, you’re not stuck saving for another $9k washer — you can expand incrementally. That’s classic loss aversion: people value avoiding large upfront costs more than uncertain future gains.

Mid-article is where a link feels natural, so here’s an example: many operators explore <a href="https://issuu.com/ninaslaundrette/docs/commercial_laundry_service_be1ec6e2f0d698/s/142648027">laundromat machines for lease</a> as a way to grow without blowing capital.

How do machine types influence how many you need?

Different machine sizes change how much volume your store can handle. A store with more large-capacity washers might only need eight washers total to serve the same demand a 12-washer store handles.

Typical roles:

Small washers – solo loads, quick turnover
Medium washers – families, weekly washing
Large washers – doonas, towels, Airbnb operators

If you’re near a caravan park or sea-change town, you’ll see loads of bulky bedding. In that case, fewer washers but bigger ones is usually smarter.

How much space do you need for all these machines?

As a general rule:

A 70–90 sqm shop handles ~16–20 machines
A 100–120 sqm shop handles ~22–30 machines

Add circulation space, folding benches, payment kiosks, and detergent vending. If people feel cramped, they leave. Simple as that.

Real-world example: The “small but mighty” model

One operator in regional Victoria launched with just 8 washers and 8 dryers in a former takeaway shop. Because he chose high-efficiency machines and kept everything spotless, his Google reviews climbed fast, creating strong social proof. Within 18 months he added another 6 dryer pockets because weekend queues kept forming.

A practical example of starting lean, listening to customer behaviour, and expanding with demand.

FAQ

What’s the ideal washer-to-dryer ratio?

Most laundromats run best with 1.5–2 dryer pockets per washer so customers aren’t left waiting.

Do I need commercial-grade machines from day one?

Yes — domestic machines fail quickly under constant use and cost more long-term in repairs and downtime.

How often should I upgrade machines?

Many owners refresh or rotate machines every 7–10 years, though leasing changes this rhythm.

Final thoughts

Sizing a laundromat isn’t about copying someone else’s layout. It’s about understanding your neighbourhood, your expected volume, and how people actually wash and dry clothes. Start with a machine count that matches your market, then grow as your customer base grows — not the other way around. And if you’re exploring flexible options, some operators compare setups using resources like the ones on laundromat machines for lease to map out what expansion might look like.

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