How to Choose the Right Commercial Laundry Payment System for Maximum Resident Satisfaction

by Lauren Schultz September 18, 2025 0 Comments

Why Payment Systems Make or Break Resident Experience

For most residents, laundry isn't exciting. It's a chore. But when the machines stop working, the app glitches, or the payment process feels clunky, you'll hear about it. A frustrating laundry experience is one of the fastest ways to drive up complaints and drive down tenant satisfaction.

The payment system is usually at the center of the problem. It's not flashy, but it's critical. A reliable, easy-to-use payment setup is one of the most overlooked ways to increase resident satisfaction and reduce turnover.

Whether you're managing apartments, student housing, or condos, your laundry room is more than a utility. It's an amenity. And like any amenity, it needs to work well consistently, conveniently, and without extra effort.

Start With the People, Not the Hardware

Before you think about platforms, you need to think about who’s using them. A smart solution isn’t about having the newest app. It’s about matching your residents’ habits with a system that meets them halfway.

Ask yourself:

• Are your residents younger and mobile-first?
• Do you serve older tenants who may prefer simpler options?
• Are they frustrated with coins or card-loading machines?

The best laundry rooms today are frictionless. That means removing every small inconvenience, down to the quarter slot.

The Three Main Payment Systems—And What Actually Works

Let’s break it down clearly. Here’s how each option stacks up in the real world:

1. Coin-Operated Machines
Still common. Rapidly outdated.

Coins might feel simple, but they create problems for both residents and property managers.

• Limited availability of quarters
• More maintenance (jams, theft, manual collection)
• No usage tracking or remote oversight

We still install them when needed, but they’re increasingly being phased out in favor of smarter systems.

2. PayRange (App-Based System)
Mobile-friendly and flexible

PayRange lets residents pay directly from their smartphone with a tap. It’s a great step up from coin or card systems, especially for smaller properties or buildings transitioning to mobile.

• No need for cards or kiosks
• Residents can pay, start machines, and request refunds from their phone
• Admins get basic remote visibility and reporting
• Lower hardware investment

This is a popular option we install. It improves the resident experience immediately with minimal disruption.

3. Laundroworks (Card + App Hybrid)
The most advanced, full-featured platform we offer.

Laundroworks combines the convenience of mobile payments with the reliability of card-based options. It’s built not just for residents—but for property managers who want control, insights, and customization.

• Residents can use a card, app, or both
• Real-time machine status, alerts, and usage tracking
• Remote admin tools for pricing, refunds, revenue reports
• Custom programs like discounts, rent-included usage, and more
• Ideal for high-density or high-turnover properties

We recommend Laundroworks for buildings that need a professional-grade solution. It’s the gold standard if you’re ready to streamline operations while giving residents a seamless laundry experience.

What Property Managers Need to Know (That Residents Don’t See)

Choosing a system isn’t just about resident convenience. It’s also about how easily you can manage, track, and troubleshoot the entire operation. A strong system saves you hours and headaches.

Here’s what to look for behind the scenes:

Remote Management

Good systems let you update pricing, check machine status, and review performance without stepping into the laundry room.

Real-Time Reporting

Want to know which machines are used most? When peak hours are? What revenue is coming in? App-based systems give you that visibility.

Maintenance Efficiency

Coin jams, misreads, card reader failures—those are symptoms of dated systems. The more digital your setup, the less hands-on maintenance you'll need.

Customization

From discount programs to rent-included options, modern systems allow you to tailor the experience to fit your building model and resident base.

At Midwest Laundries, we help clients implement the features they need, and skip the ones they don’t.

The Transition Plan: Make It Seamless

Residents get used to what they know. If you're switching systems, even if it's a major upgrade, communicate early and often.

Here’s how Midwest Laundries helps with a new payment platform rollout:

• Provide printed and digital materials for residents
• Host grand openings to introduce the system
• Have staff on-site to assist residents directly
• Train property staff for ongoing support

The smoother your transition, the faster you’ll see fewer complaints and more satisfied tenants.

Midwest Laundries’ Expert Take

We’ve worked with every system on the market and installed them in buildings ranging from 6 units to 600. Here’s what our experience shows:

• For high-density buildings, we recommend Laundroworks.
• For older or mixed-tenant buildings, a hybrid system (app + card) balances modern convenience with accessibility.
• Form small buildings, we recommend a mobile payment system.
• For properties still using coins, it’s time to start budgeting for the next phase. We’ll help you plan it.

Every property is different. That’s why we never install without a walkthrough, and we never push one-size-fits-all platforms. We build systems around how your building actually operates.

One Last Thought: The Right System Pays for Itself

You’re not just upgrading machines. You’re removing a friction point that affects retention, reputation, and ROI. A clean, modern, frustration-free laundry experience tells residents that you care and that you run a building they can trust.

We’ve seen it play out hundreds of times.

If you’re ready to fix the complaints and streamline your laundry room for good, we’ll show you exactly how.

Need Help Choosing a System?

We’ve got options. We’ve got answers. And we’ll turn around a tailored proposal in under 24 hours. No pressure. No jargon. Just straight advice from people who know laundry inside and out. Contact us today to get started!

FAQs

Q: What if my residents don’t want to switch from coins?
A: That’s more common than you think. We’ve worked with plenty of properties where residents were hesitant to change. The key is communication and a smooth rollout. We provide printed instructions, app setup support, and can even configure hybrid systems that keep coins active while phasing in mobile payments. Most residents come around quickly once they experience the convenience.

Q: How secure are mobile laundry payment systems?
A: Extremely secure. The systems we install use encrypted transactions, secure user authentication, and cloud-based data storage. They're designed to meet industry standards for digital payments.

Q: How long does installation take if I switch systems?
A: In most cases, we can complete installation within a single day, depending on your building's setup. We also walk your team through the system before we leave, so you're up and running with zero guesswork.

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