Breaking the Spin Cycle: Women Leading the Laundromat Industry

The broad history of women in the laundry industry reflects wide-range social and economic changes over time, highlighting both their contributions and the challenges they faced. Women have historically played a key role in the laundry industry, contributing to its development from domestic work to organized industrial services. Their experiences reflect comprehensive themes of women’s labor rights, economic participation, and social change.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, laundry work was often informal and domestic, primarily performed by women within households. As cities grew and industrialization advanced, commercial laundry services began to emerge, providing employment opportunities for women. The history of women laundromat owners is a reflection of broader societal shifts toward female entrepreneurship and economic independence.

Women laundromat owners have historically faced challenges such as limited access to startup capital and financing, gender bias, societal expectations, and competition from larger chains and corporate interests.

Today, women continue to own and operate laundromats across the country, with many engaging in private ownership and franchise operations.

Aeisha Carter, owner of The Laundromat Express in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, gave Pittsburgh Laundry Systems some insights on her personal experiences with being a woman in a mostly male-dominated industry. “I don’t think women are taken seriously all the time. I feel like we have to prove ourselves a little more.”

And it’s true. According to DEI strategist Rupali Kaul in her article “Women & Leadership, Why Do They Need To Prove Themselves More”, which was posted on LinkedIn, women account for less than a third (29%) of senior roles globally. She also notes that the glass-ceiling effect, gender pay gap, and discrimination in workplaces as having an impact on why so much more is expected of women in business, despite the advances in civil rights and company-wide DEI initiatives.

Carter blew through these challenges as both a woman and a black woman in the laundry industry. As well as being a laundromat owner, she and her family run the Carter Family Foundation for Literacy in Children. Something that is also more prevalent with women business owners is making their businesses family-oriented. “I wanted something for my community. We’re a community. I wanted a place that is community-oriented, gives essential services and makes customers feel safe and feel good about the business”, said Carter when asked what her inspiration was to start her own laundromat business.

(Photo:Aeisha Carter’s “Cookie’s Corner”. Source: Website.)

As Carter stated, plenty of women are natural caretakers and it translates into the business world as demonstrated by her “Cookie’s Corner”, named for her mother, Beverly “Cookie”  Fallin, who was a force to be reckoned with and passed on her passion for literacy in children to her daughter. Bringing the work of the Carter Family Foundation to The Laundromat Express, she’s created an area where children can read and play safely while mom and dad do their laundry. Women are sometimes seen as more nurturing and empathetic, fostering teamwork and collaboration, which can be aligned with family-oriented values of care and support. Women entrepreneurs or leaders often foster inclusive, supportive work environments that resemble familial settings, emphasizing mentorship and community.

(Photo: Aeisha Carter and her granddaughter, Eliana. at The Laundromat Express. Source: Website.)

Cleanliness and top notch equipment are also big priority Carter strives for in her laundromat. We’ve all seen the facilities that are rundown, poorly managed, and have faulty equipment. “People feel safe and It lets them know that we care about them.” Carter explained. There is always an employee at her facility to help customers with whatever they need, something that is often missing from a lot of competing laundromats.

“Do your research and go for it,” said Carter on giving advice to other women aspiring to start their own business. “Get the right people in your corner. A support system and invest in proper equipment.”

In the future, Carter is planning for a second laundromat and has begun offering drop off and delivery laundry services. Pittsburgh Laundry Systems looks forward to continuing to work with Carter in her future endeavors and we are thrilled to have helped make this dream come true.