You’d be forgiven for thinking laundromats are an old story—established, everywhere, done. But according to recent market research, the global laundromat industry is on the rise, with strong growth forecast across every major region.
According to Horizon Grand View Research, in 2019, the global coin/card-operated laundry market was valued at USD 14.6 billion. By 2027, it’s projected to more than double—reaching over USD 30 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. And that’s not just a blip. It’s a full spin cycle of momentum.
The Growth Isn’t Just Global—it’s Local
Asia Pacific is leading the charge, with demand driven by rising urbanisation, smaller apartment living, and a growing middle class seeking convenience and hygiene. Think high-rise living in Bangkok, shared accommodation in Sydney, or rapidly modernising infrastructure in India—these markets are hungry for self-service and service-wash models that suit fast-paced lifestyles and limited space.
And while the U.S. already has laundromats on just about every corner, that market is still expected to grow steadily, thanks to changing consumer habits, an increase in renters, and shifting preferences away from in-home machines. Turns out, even in the land of plenty, people are still happy to pay a little to do the laundry—especially if it’s easy, faster, and doesn’t eat half of their Saturday.
Australia is no different. With more people living in high-density housing and apartments, and a sharp rise in dual-income households, nicely designed laundromats with extras are becoming an attractive, efficient option (see some examples). Why spend so much money on home appliances when there’s a machine down the road that can wash all your king-size sheets in 35 minutes?
What’s Driving the Growth?
A few key factors are fuelling the global rise:- Urban living: Less space, more outsourcing.
- Time-poor lifestyles: Convenience is king.
- Hygiene awareness: Post-COVID, clean really means clean.
- Cashless and tech upgrades: Modern laundromats now offer card payments, mobile app control, and even cycle alerts—no more waiting awkwardly next to someone else’s socks.
- New business models: Service wash, pick-up/drop-off, coffee while-you-wait and eco-wash options are appealing to younger customers and busy professionals. It’s laundry with a side of “feeling great while you wait.”
The Bottom Line
Whether it’s Bangkok, Brisbane or Brooklyn, the humble laundromat is becoming ever more popular — helped by a modern twist. Expect to see more premium fit-outs, smarter machines like our ‘Touch’ range, and multi-service offerings.
Australia is also set to grow in the next five years—because laundry may not be glamorous, but it’s still one of the few services that will never go out of style. You can skip brunch, you can skip Pilates… but you never skip clean clothes.
For operators, investors, and landlords: this isn’t a fading market. It’s a reliable, cashflow-friendly, high-demand industry that doesn’t care about recessions… and it’s on the up.
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