Looking for alternate income stream, Singapore professionals put new spin on self-service laundromats

Convenience is just part of the appeal. 

With its bright and airy design, the laundromat is often mistaken for a cafe, drawing the attention of passers-by and even swaying people who do not typically use laundromats to give it a try.

“There was this one couple who thought the shop looked interesting, but said that they had never used a self-service laundromat. Two hours after I spoke with them, they returned with enough laundry to fill five machines,” Ms Chan recalled.

While doing their laundry, customers may choose from a diverse menu that offers drinks ranging from kombucha to ginger beer, or get specialty coffee from Dutch Colony Coffee Co via a self-service machine.

Sipping a drink and scrolling through her phone while waiting has become a weekly ritual for Ms Noemi Ridzuan, who is a regular customer at The Daily Tumble. 

“It feels like I’m going to a cafe but, at the same time, I’m getting this chore of mine done. I see it as a ‘treat’ for myself on the weekends,” the 33-year-old risk analyst said. 

Mr Kenny Tan, 36, a commercial pilot, said that partnerships with vendors make laundry day more enjoyable for customers while also providing added revenue streams that help the business cover costs.

In June 2024, he launched The Good Husband Laundromats & Drycleaners in Changi to get some side income.

To date, he has teamed up with more than 20 vendors to provide specialised cleaning services such as shoe polishing and helmet sanitisation.

During their visits, customers can also relax in coin-operated massage chairs or buy a meal from the Instachef vending machine, which offers dishes such as fried carrot cake and black truffle pasta.

In the last quarter of 2024, some patrons even received haircuts while they waited, courtesy of a pop-up collaboration with a barber.

Mr Tan, already familiar with these vendors as a user, reached out to them after acquiring a unit of nearly 1,200 sqf – easily twice the size of traditional laundromats.

“I was given a unique and spacious space, so I had to be innovative about it. Making these amenities available round the clock not only adds value to laundromat users, but also the wider public,” he said.

Mr Tan disclosed that these vendors contribute 10 per cent to his total revenue and help with his utility bills, which can reach S$3,000 a month.

“If the trajectory from the past eight months continues, I may break even in fewer than two years. Maybe even in a year-and-a-half.”