---
title: How Mobile Payments Reduce Customer Friction | Laundroworks
description: Discover how mobile payments help eliminate coin hassles and reduce wait times for laundromat customers. Learn why laundromat owners are switching to convenient mobile payment solutions that streamline operations.
---

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# [How Mobile Payments Reduce Customer Friction | Laundroworks](https://laundroworks.com/resources/mobile-payments-convenience-factor)

 Written by [Laundroworks Team](https://laundroworks.com/resources/author/laundroworks-team) | Oct 17, 2025 1:30:00 PM

[Running a laundromat](https://www.trycents.com/our-2-cents/what-makes-a-laundromat-successful) shouldn’t mean dealing with coin shortages, broken change machines, and constant customer frustration. That’s exactly where **mobile payments** come in. Simply put, mobile payments let customers pay with their phone (or smartwatch) instead of coins or bills. 

A **2024 **[**report from FinTech Magazine**](https://fintechmagazine.com/articles/mobile-payments-transforming-transactions-and-security) noted the global mobile commerce market is projected to reach **$587.52 billion by 2030**, growing at a staggering **36.2% CAGR**. In other words, consumers *expect* mobile payments everywhere they go.

Keep reading to learn why going mobile isn’t optional and how to give your laundromat customers a smoother, faster, happier experience.

## The coin hassle problem

The coin system is basically held together with duct tape and crossed fingers. Customers show up with laundry baskets and leave with sore shoulders and empty wallets after feeding quarters into machines.

The biggest friction points?

- **Coin shortages:** Remember 2020’s coin shortage? Some operators are still dealing with unpredictable supply today.
- **Change machines:** Nothing spikes customer frustration faster than lugging their laundry only to see an “OUT OF SERVICE” sign.
- **Jammed slots:** Customers fiddle with bent quarters and crumpled bills, machines spit them back out, tempers rise.

This is annoying, *and* **it costs you money**. 

## Mobile payment benefits for laundromats

How does this sound? A customer walks in, opens an app, taps a button, and boom, the machine starts. That’s the magic of **mobile payment solutions.**

Here’s how it cuts down friction:

1. No more coin hunting: Customers use what’s already in their pocket. Payment technology like **Apple Pay, Google Pay, or an app like **[**LaundryCat**](https://laundroworks.com/solutions/mobile-app-for-customers) makes paying as easy as ordering coffee.
2. Faster machine access: According to [**Visa research**](https://investor.visa.com/news/news-details/2020/Global-Visa-Study-Finds-67-of-Small-Businesses-and-78-of-Consumers-Have-Adopted-New-Behaviors-to-Adjust-to-COVID-19/default.aspx), 78% of consumers changed how they pay during the pandemic, with many choosing contactless methods specifically because they were faster and more convenient. 
3. Remote monitoring capabilities: Apps like **LaundryCat** don’t just process digital payments. Customers can **check machine availability before they even leave home, get cycle notifications, and reload their account** with a tap. 

When payment convenience goes up, so does customer satisfaction. 

## The business impact of mobile payments

Reducing friction results in a healthier bottom line. Here’s what contactless payments mean for your operation:

### Increased customer satisfaction

Would you rather carry $15 in quarters every week, or just use your phone? Customers overwhelmingly prefer the latter. By meeting that expectation, you’re showing them you value their time. Research from Bain & Company shows [increasing customer retention](https://www.trycents.com/our-2-cents/laundromat-customer-retention) by just **5% can boost profits by 25% or more.**

### Higher revenue potential

Mobile payment processing makes it easier for customers to spend a little extra on things like a bigger washer, additional dry cycles, or detergent. When it’s just a quick tap, customers are more likely to say “why not.”

### Reduced operational headaches

Let’s not forget the owner side of things. Mobile payments mean:

- Less time collecting and counting coins
- Lower risk of theft
- Automatic digital records for accounting

And here’s a bonus: **data.** Digital payment systems give you access to reports on peak hours, machine usage, and revenue trends. 

## Getting started

[Thinking about making the switch?](https://www.trycents.com/our-2-cents/mobile-laundromat-checklist) Here are some things to consider:

### Implementation considerations

- **Machine compatibility:** Most modern machines can be retrofitted with [mobile payment readers](https://laundroworks.com/solutions/payment-system). 
- **System choice:** Pick a provider built for laundromats (hint: that’s where **LaundryCat** shines). Look for features like remote monitoring, loyalty programs, and reliable support.
- **Customer adoption:** Rollout is usually smooth. Most customers are already familiar with mobile wallets.

### Next steps for modernization

Start by piloting mobile payments in one store or on a few machines. Gather customer feedback, then expand. Promote the change on your website, social channels, and in-store signage. 

## Why frictionless payments are the future

In 2024, [**71% of Americans**](https://www.frbservices.org/news/research/2025-findings-from-the-diary-of-consumer-payment-choice) said they made a digital payment in the past year. Among 18–24 year-olds, that number is even more pronounced: [**45% of all payments**](https://www.atlantafed.org/blogs/take-on-payments/2025/05/19/more-us-consumers-use-cash-than-any-other-way-to-pay) are now done via phone.

As [**FreedomPay research**](https://enterprise.freedompay.com/) recently noted, 57% of consumers said a poor payment experience could push them to competitors. If your payment system is still quarters-only, you’re losing customers.

## The takeaway

Your laundromat needs to be customer experience-focused to grow. One major piece of that is how your customers can pay.

By embracing **mobile payments**, you’re cutting out the biggest friction points in laundry day. The best part is, you don’t have to reinvent your business. Customer apps like [**LaundryCat**](https://laundroworks.com/) make it easy to add mobile, contactless payments and transform your laundromat into the kind of place customers actually enjoy visiting.

[View full post](https://laundroworks.com/resources/mobile-payments-convenience-factor)

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