Many college and university students find themselves living on their own for the first time. This can be an exciting adventure and a chance to explore new places and try living independently. However, that independence means students do laundry a bit differently.
Understanding the lifestyles of the average college student can inform you, as a laundry room owner, how to bring in more customers throughout the semester or how to offer the best laundry services on campus.
Students typically wash around three to four loads per week. Some universities require them to pay for washing and drying loads, so they often wait until the end of the week to do their laundry, spending approximately $9 to $12.
Despite students’ large amounts of laundry every semester, many college residents struggle to understand the basics of doing laundry independently. Many students have rarely or never done their own washing before coming to school.
If your laundromat is near a university or near student housing or residence halls, consider the potential of these customers. Every student will need to do laundry, and local laundromats can be a great resource for residents looking for a trusted laundry room.
Pay attention to the students’ needs. What are some of the college laundromat issues at their school? Are the laundry rooms too small, or are the machines often out of order? Do some students report that their clothes get stolen, or are the prices for a load of laundry too high?
Whatever the case, your facility can be an excellent option for students seeking solutions. You can also take advantage of a lot of untapped revenue. Add detergent dispensers or vending machines to attract customers and maximize your revenue.
Students are often some of the busiest customers out there. Full-time students usually take anywhere from 12 to 18 credits worth of classes a semester. The hours spent on homework and studying for five classes or more can often take up most of the week. On top of this, many residents choose to work part-time to pay for college, volunteer, find an internship or participate in extracurricular activities.
It’s no wonder that students might struggle to fit laundry into their schedules. Local laundromats can take advantage of this knowledge by understanding the average student and their unique schedules and lifestyles.
Consider making the laundry process faster and easier for local students by adjusting your facility hours or adding extra amenities to your laundromat. For example, many residents may only be available in the early morning or late evening, before classes start and after classes have ended. Students may also appreciate extra table space to do homework and reliable Wi-Fi to work on assignments while they wait for their laundry.
It’s no secret that many college students are strapped for cash. Consider the extra expenses like student loans, tuition or groceries, and the added payment of campus laundry may seem daunting. Laundromats can offer students giveaways and deals to lighten the financial load and keep customers returning to your facility.
Try offering daily coupons or deals through a mobile app or a service like Groupon. This may attract new customers who may like the idea of saving money while taking advantage of your facility’s unique amenities. You can also offer student discounts through a loyalty program or the student’s college ID. Programs can reward residents with items like free detergent or drying hours or even free swag with your logo.
Another great way to attract new students is through on-campus activities. Consider sponsoring a float in an upcoming parade or hosting a booth at a sporting event. Your employees can hand out coupons or fliers advertising the business and run games and contests to get the local students involved.
Other incentives may involve special referral programs or transportation offers. For students that want to save money, you can try offering them a special discount or free wash cycle if they refer a friend to your laundry facility. Many students may also struggle to find transportation. So, offering free pickup or delivery of their laundry may be a great way to involve those customers that want to use your machines but don’t have immediate access to them.
Today’s university students are tech-savvy, often called “digital natives” because they grew up on the internet and social media. As such, they are very comfortable searching for college laundry rooms on their phones, checking social media, or downloading an app to pay laundry fees.
Most consumers research a company before visiting the building or purchasing a product, so a good online presence is vital to your laundromat business.
Here are a few ways your laundromat can use technology to your advantage:
One of the best ways to take advantage of college students’ technical know-how is to build an app that allows students to pay for laundry services on their phones. For example, our Speed Queen App is available for smartphones and offers customized options depending on your university’s laundry program. Our app offers flexible payments and automatic notifications, making the laundry process fast and convenient.
College students trust the recommendations of their peers and university mentors. Partnering with your local college may help spread the word about your facility to more students. Many universities enjoy making deals with local businesses and restaurants to offer students discounts and get them involved in the community.
Consider advertising in the student newspaper or partnering with an on-campus club to promote your business. Many sororities, fraternities, sports teams and theater clubs will jump to incorporate your advertisements into their events in exchange for a sponsorship.
Another great way to get other students and university faculty to recommend your business is to show solidarity with the college. Show your school spirit by designing your laundromat with the university logos or colors. Consider hanging banners or posters and offering school-themed merch at your facility as a free giveaway.
Because college students are tech savvy, they’ll probably look up your business online for reviews. Encourage existing customers to leave your business reviews online, and make an effort to respond to reviews — both good and bad. This engagement shows them you care about the community, and it builds your business up as a recommended laundromat.
Some college laundromats do offer detergent for purchase through vending machines or dispensers. This convenience is particularly appreciated by students who may not always remember to bring their own supplies.
Providing detergent on-site can also be a strategic move for laundromat owners because it ensures students have everything they need in one place, enhancing customer satisfaction and encouraging students to visit more. So, providing detergent can differentiate your facility from competitors if you’re managing a laundromat on or near a college campus.
Students planning their laundry routine should check beforehand whether the laundromat in their school offers detergent or if they need to bring their own. Some facilities may provide single-use packets, while others offer bulk options for purchase. Being prepared with quarters or a payment method compatible with detergent vending machines will ensure a smooth laundry experience.
In addition to detergent, students should consider other laundry essentials such as fabric softener, bleach, dryer sheets or stain removers, depending on their needs.
Here are essential tips to share with students navigating the laundry process for the first time in college:
Now you know better how laundry works in college and what machines will best serve that audience.
Caldwell & Gregory was founded in 1990 and is dedicated to providing colleges and universities across America with reliable laundry programs and technologies. Our company has partnered with over 300 universities to bring state-of-the-art technology and services wherever needed. We’ve even expanded to the multi-housing market and sell equipment to facilities like salons, hotels and laundromats.
Contact us today to discuss a sales inquiry or read more about the industries we serve on our website.