Yes, many laundromats now accept credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment. The industry has been steadily moving away from coin-only machines, especially in urban areas. However, plenty of laundromats still rely on quarters, so it's smart to check before you go.
Here's a guide to all the laundromat payment methods you might encounter.
Common Laundromat Payment Methods
| Payment Method | How Common | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Quarters (coins) | Very common — still the standard at many locations | Insert quarters into machine coin slot |
| Laundry card (reloadable) | Common at mid-to-large laundromats | Load cash onto a card at a kiosk; tap or swipe at machines |
| Credit / debit card | Growing — common at newer/remodeled locations | Swipe or tap directly on the machine |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | Emerging — at newest locations | Tap phone on NFC reader on machine |
| Mobile apps | Growing — chain laundromats and newer independents | Pay through laundromat's app; may track loyalty rewards |
| Cash (bill acceptor) | Some locations | Feed bills directly into machines (not all have this) |
How to Find Card-Friendly Laundromats
The easiest way to find laundromats that accept cards is to search on LaundroMaps and filter by payment method. Our listings show which payment types each location accepts, saving you from showing up without the right payment.
If you prefer coin laundromats, see our guide on how many quarters to bring.
Pros and Cons of Card Payment at Laundromats
- Pros: No need to find quarters, faster payment, track spending, some offer loyalty rewards
- Cons: Some locations add a small convenience fee ($0.25-$0.50), requires internet connectivity on the machine, card readers occasionally malfunction
Related guides
- Coin vs card vs app: laundry cards, phone payments and directory counts of each method.