Difference Between a Laundromat and a Laundry Service

March 08, 2023

Laundromats and laundry services are well-liked in different parts of the U.S. They save time and effort when the conditions aren't right to do your laundry at home, not to mention the help that specialized laundry services bring to businesses and private institutions. Depending on your schedule and the resources at your disposal, you may find that one of these options is more suitable to your needs.

The main difference between a laundromat and a laundry service will become evident as soon as we get to the basics, so let's get that out of the way before getting to the pros and cons.

What Is a Laundromat?

Laundromats are self-service laundry facilities that are open for public use. Their space is filled with rows of washing equipment that people can use freely. The majority of laundromats are equipped with washing and drying machines, giving enough room to allow the work of dozens of people.

Laundromats are a quick option to help people do their own laundry and can also save time when it comes to cleaning an entire household's set of clothes. The mechanics are simple: all the machines are coin-operated, so clients can use whatever they need after paying for the necessary tokens.

Many houses don't have the space to store all the necessary equipment for a thorough washing routine, which is why laundromats often offer pressing and ironing machines on top of the basic laundry equipment.

What Is a Laundry Service?

A laundry service takes care of all the steps, sorting, washing, drying, folding, and ironing everything before getting the clothes back to the clients. People don't have to do anything after leaving the clothes with the company and paying the corresponding fees. Many of these companies also offer pickup and delivery services, so clients don't even need to visit the establishment at any point.


Laundry services are equipped with high-end machines to wash delicate fabrics and large groups of garments. Prices change depending on what the client wants, the number of items to wash, and any special service reserved for gowns and other expensive pieces.

Which Is Better?

By reading the definitions above, you probably have an idea of what each option has to offer. Still, let's elaborate on the main factors that come into play when deciding what works best.

• Quality: Anyone would expect the best service when looking for alternatives outside of what's familiar to them. Laundromats and laundry services will definitely stand out for having a wider array of machines to achieve what you can't do at home. With that said, there's not much you can do to keep tabs on the results once you take your clothes to the laundromat.
  
  If quality is a priority, a laundry service has more means to monitor progress, with specialists coordinating each step and keeping tabs on the results.


• Time and convenience: Both services will allow you to work through the mess that a growing laundry pile can leave all around your household. Since you'll still be doing your own laundry, a laundromat won't save you much time but it can still make the process more efficient when compared to the resources available to you at home.
  
  A laundry service makes it easier to work around your schedule since you only need to worry about leaving your clothes with the company and they will handle the rest. You won't have to suffer much before creating a routine that includes periodic wash & folding services.


• Equipment and resources: A laundry service has a wider array of options to wash different kinds of clothes. Because of this, you can expect a more thorough approach to get off the stains. Laundry services also count on a variety of products and formulas to remove different stains and leave clothes looking as good as new. All these products and machines are also operated by skilled specialists that will oversee the process with a trained eye, adapting their methods to each case.


• Wash duration: When you're at the laundromat, you can control some of the specifications of the machines available, and this helps predict the estimated duration of the process. The length of the process will also change depending on how many clothes you bring, so it usually takes more than one visit to get an idea so you can plan ahead.
  
  A laundry service will give you a date to pick up your clothes, usually between 24 to 48 hours after you place your order. This comes in handy as you can fully dedicate the rest of that time to other things.

Whether you feel more comfortable with a laundromat's hands-on approach or want the specialized attention of a laundry & folding service, there's one thing you need to keep in mind: choosing a subpar company with little experience in the market will only create more stress for you while leaving your clothes more vulnerable to lasting damage.

The Best Laundry Service in South Florida

When it comes to the care of your clothes, don't settle for less than the best. Puritan Cleaners & Laundry offers the most thorough washing and folding services, along with the fastest turnaround in the area. We bring all the advantages you need to optimize your daily schedule and the best resources to remove the most stubborn stains. Our specialists know how to care for any type of garment, from day-to-day clothes to sleepwear, cocktail dresses, and uniforms.


You can trust our team to give your clothes the necessary care and attention. We sort through different fabrics, adapt our methods to each garment, and work efficiently to get your items back to you whenever you need them.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our washing, folding, and pickup services. If you're still going back and forth between different laundromats and laundry services, let us show you what true quality looks like. Puritan Cleaners & Laundry will not let you down. Upkeeping your clothes' brand-new look has never been easier!