When was the last time you took a good look at your campground laundry room? Beyond providing a convenient amenity for guests, your laundry facilities may offer opportunities to reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and generate additional revenue. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from changes you haven't considered.

What Makes a Good Campground Laundry Room?

Laundry needs vary depending on park size, guest demographics, and length of stay. A small seasonal campground may need only a few machines, while a larger resort or park with extended-stay guests may require more capacity.

Regardless of park size, operators should consider:

• Equipment reliability: Commercial-grade washers and dryers are designed for frequent use and generally offer greater durability than residential machines.
• Machine capacity: Sufficient equipment, including larger-capacity washers, helps reduce wait times and accommodates bedding, towels, and family-sized loads.
• Payment options: Coin, card, and mobile payment options give guests greater flexibility.
• Laundry room layout: Good lighting, folding space, seating, and a clean, accessible environment improve convenience.
• Maintenance: Regular servicing and timely repairs help minimize downtime and lost revenue.

How Payment Options Can Increase Revenue

Offering card and mobile payments alongside traditional coins can provide benefits beyond guest convenience.

• Fewer lost sales: Guests without quarters can still use the machines rather than going elsewhere.
• Flexible pricing: Digital systems can make it easier to adjust prices as utility and operating costs change.
• Reduced cash handling: Less time spent collecting, counting, and depositing coins.
• Better reporting: Some systems track machine usage, revenue, and peak demand, helping operators make informed decisions.

Operators should also consider equipment costs and transaction fees when evaluating payment systems.

Ownership, Leasing, or Managed Laundry?

Campground operators have several options for providing laundry facilities. Each has advantages depending on the park's budget, laundry demand, and available staff resources.

Owning Your Equipment

• Requires an upfront investment in washers and dryers.
• Park retains all laundry revenue and controls pricing.
• Operator is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and replacement.
• May offer the best long-term return for parks with consistent laundry demand.

Leasing Equipment

• Provides commercial equipment without the full upfront purchase cost.
• Typically involves predictable monthly payments.
• Maintenance and repairs may be included, depending on the agreement.
• May offer opportunities to upgrade equipment.
• Requires careful review of lease terms and total costs.

Managed Laundry Services

• A third-party provider supplies and manages the equipment, often through a revenue-sharing agreement.
• Reduces upfront equipment costs and staff involvement.
• Provider generally handles maintenance and repairs.
• Revenue is distributed according to the agreement.
• Service response times and contract terms should be carefully reviewed.

Which Option Makes the Most Sense?

Before deciding, operators should compare:

• Total costs: Equipment, utilities, maintenance, and repairs.
• Revenue potential: Expected usage and revenue-sharing arrangements.
• Staff involvement: Time required to manage equipment and service issues.
• Service reliability: Repair responsibilities and response times.
• Contract terms: Agreement length, equipment replacement, and cancellation provisions.

Regardless of the arrangement, it's important to understand who pays for water, sewer, and electricity, as these expenses can significantly affect profitability.

When Is It Time for a Change?

Not every laundry room needs a complete renovation. Sometimes a few adjustments can make a noticeable difference.

Park operators can start by asking:

1. Are guests regularly waiting to use the machines?
2. Do we have the right number and size of machines?
3. How often is equipment out of service?
4. When did we last review our laundry pricing?
5. Are our payment options convenient for guests?
6. Do we know how much revenue our laundry room generates after expenses?
7. Would repairing or replacing older equipment be more cost-effective?

A campground laundry room doesn't have to be elaborate to serve guests well. Reliable equipment, reasonable pricing, and a clean, convenient space can make it an amenity guests appreciate while contributing to the park's bottom line.