Commercial vs in-house laundry
Outsourced commercial laundry or your own?
For boutique hotels and holiday rental managers in Madrid, this is one of the operational decisions with the biggest impact on cost, quality and workload. We compare both options with real numbers.
The short answer
For properties with more than 10 rooms or units, an outsourced commercial laundry is almost always cheaper than in-house once you count the real total cost. Below that volume it depends on factors such as available space and turnover.
| Criterion | In-house laundry | Commercial laundry |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | €15,000–30,000 (machinery) | None |
| Monthly cost (20 rooms) | €1,100–1,800 | €600–900 (estimate) |
| Staff needed | 0.5–1 dedicated FTE | No extra staff |
| Wash temperature | 40–60 °C (domestic) | 60–90 °C (industrial) |
| Ironing quality | Hand iron or roller | Industrial flatwork ironer |
| Space required | 15–25 m² of your hotel | None |
| Machine maintenance | Your responsibility | Not applicable |
| Response capacity | Limited by shifts | Same-day urgent service |
| Stock control | In-house | Managed by the supplier |
| Scalability | Needs more machinery | Immediate, no investment |
The quality difference guests notice
An industrial washer runs at temperatures that kill bacteria and mites that survive domestic washes. An industrial flatwork ironer gives sheets a whiteness and smoothness a hand iron can't match. Guests notice it within seconds, and it shows in their reviews.
Temperature
Whiteness
Process time
An in-house laundry makes sense if…
- › You have fewer than 4 beds
- › You have the space and capital for the investment
- › You need full control of the process
- › Your occupancy is highly seasonal
An outsourced commercial laundry makes sense if…
- ✓ You have 4 or more beds
- ✓ You want to avoid investing in machinery
- ✓ You want to free up space and staff
- ✓ You prioritise consistent, certified quality
Let's talk about your property
Tell us how many beds you manage and we'll send a tailored proposal within 24 hours.