In commercial laundry operations—whether at a hotel, multi-family property, or healthcare facility—the performance of your equipment matters. Just as important is your team. Implementing laundry staffing best practices helps ensure that a well-trained, well-staffed laundry room delivers smooth, efficient service and avoids costly breakdowns, delays, or sanitation issues. Staffing your facility goes beyond hiring machine operators—it’s about building a team that can confidently support high-volume operations.

Why Staffing Matters More Than You Think

Even the best commercial washers and dryers can’t run themselves. As a result, laundry rooms depend on attentive, trained staff to keep loads moving, identify issues early, and uphold cleanliness and safety standards. However, understaffed or improperly trained teams often lead to operational bottlenecks, reduced quality, and avoidable equipment wear.

Laundry roles often face high turnover. That’s why staff retention and ongoing training matter as much as the initial hire. Onboarding new employees with clear job expectations, routine checklists, and access to equipment tutorials helps set them—and your operation—up for success.

Hiring for More Than Just Hands

Effective staffing starts with clarity. What roles do you need filled—machine operators, supervisors, maintenance support? Determine the number of employees based on your facility’s workload and peak usage hours. A wellness check of your current laundry room (including staffing gaps and workflow inefficiencies) can highlight where support is most needed.

You don’t just need hands—you need people who understand workflow, safety, and the importance of reliable output. Partnering with organizations that support local hiring or hospitality training programs can be an efficient way to connect with candidates who already have experience in operational environments.

Training That Pays Off

Training doesn’t stop after week one. Cross-training team members on multiple machines or tasks creates a more agile workforce that can pivot when needed. Regular training refreshers also reduce costly mistakes and ensure consistent equipment use—which, in turn, helps your machines last longer.

If you’re unsure how to structure training, look to partners like Southeastern Laundry, who work with clients not only to install and maintain equipment, but also to ensure their teams are trained to use it efficiently. Their support helps facilities get the most out of every machine, every shift.

How laundry staffing best practices elevate daily operations

Your laundry room is a critical part of your business’s daily rhythm. Staffing it well means fewer interruptions, faster turnaround, and better care for every linen, towel, or uniform that passes through.

By investing time in building a reliable team, you improve operations from the inside out—and make sure your equipment, your people, and your entire facility work better together.