As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, our “new normal” continues to evolve. At Laundry Solutions Company, we’re committed to keeping laundromat owners and customers safe – which includes helping our clients navigate the new realities associated with the pandemic. With that in mind, we’ve done hours of research to address the unique difficulties of running a laundromat through the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more about industry-wide best practices to keep your customers safe and satisfied.
Running a Laundromat During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Although most of the country has shifted to slightly less restrictive COVID-19 business practices, some communities are experiencing waves of infection that may lead to tighter lockdowns in the coming months. Regardless, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has recognized laundromats, laundry services, and dry cleaners as essential businesses included on its advisory list of critical infrastructure for the COVID-19 response. As a laundromat owner, it is your responsibility to remind customers of the crucial role laundromats – and proper hygiene associated with regular clothes washing – play during this unprecedented crisis.
Pandemic-Proof Laundromat Hand-Washing During COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that proper hand-washing can be the first line of defense against community-wide COVID-19 spread. Remind customers to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer regularly, especially after touching laundromat doors and equipment. Customers should also try to refrain from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth while in the facility. Consider posting signage to remind customers of proper hand-washing procedures:
- Wet your hands with warm water, then lather soap onto the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under nails.
- Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, or roughly the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song from the beginning to end twice.
- Rinse hands well, then dry them using a clean towel. Make sure hands are completely dry before touching surfaces.
Promoting Social Distancing
The CDC has also established nationwide social distancing guidelines to prevent SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) from spreading from person to person. As a laundromat owner, you can post signage or designate floor spaces reminding customers to keep a distance of at least six feet from others at all times. You should also require that customers wear approved face coverings while inside the facility. Finally, encourage customers to wait outside during wash and dry cycles to minimize the number of customers in your facility.
Consider Offering Only a Wash-Dry-Fold Service
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, customers may be understandably wary of indoor facilities like laundromats. If all else fails, consider limiting your laundromat operations to a wash-dry-fold service for the remainder of the crisis. Post signage to educate customers on drop-off and pick-up procedures and pricing, and make sure that your staff members are all using gloves and following CDC guidelines. Although changing your business model might seem extreme, this idea offers a way to keep customers safe as you protect your profit margins.
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If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the COVID-19 pandemic will change our lives forever. Despite these challenging circumstances, laundromats continue to open their doors as an essential service for community members. If you’d like more ideas for running a laundromat during the COVID-19 pandemic, check out the resources offered by Speed Queen.
Finally, if you own or manage a laundromat, be sure to check out Laundry Solutions Company, a full-service provider of premium vended, on-premises, and multi-housing commercial laundry equipment. Our leasing program provides no mileage fees, no service fees, and no parts fees. You will be able to use high-quality Speed Queen equipment while enjoying a flexible lease and predictable payments. To learn more about our products and services, please give us a call at 800-383-9274 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!