From Coins to Connected Stores: How Tangerpay
Is Powering The Next Generation of Laundromats
First published in Laundry & Cleaning Today UK, April 2026 Issue.
For decades, coins have been the lifeblood of self-service laundries – they’re tangible and familiar. However, as the world becomes increasingly cashless, the industry is evolving to meet changing habits, says Damian Hudson, chief strategy officer at Tangerpay.
“This shift isn’t about replacing what works; it’s about expanding options to ensure no customer is left behind.
“Today’s users value choice,” said Hudson. “While some appreciate the tactile nature of coins, others expect the same frictionless experience they find at a coffee shop: card taps and mobile payments. Transitioning to a hybrid model solves the friction of the coin-only era – while allowing operators to reclaim hours spent on manual collections.”
Tangerpay removes the need for operators to choose between the reliability of the past and the convenience of the future.
“Our platform is designed to operate seamlessly alongside existing coin mechanisms. This hybrid approach ensures you can cater to traditional cash users while capturing the growing demographic that prefers digital transactions.
“Central to this ecosystem is mobile pay and our robust range of kiosks,” says Hudson. By connecting wirelessly to the IoT smart devices, which Tangerpay calls ‘Pip’, installed inside washers and dryers, Tangerpay enables instant digital crediting of the machine while the coin mech remains fully functional.
Tangerpay offers a hardware solution for every footprint. Mobile Pay allows customers to start machines directly from their phones, with no app download required, removing barriers to entry. The Series 5 kiosks, available with 10″, 15″ or 32″ touchscreens, act as a durable central payment hub for high-traffic environments. Meanwhile, the flagship Kiosk Premium model accepts both digital payments and cash, providing a practical bridge for unattended locations.
This flexibility makes Tangerpay an ideal solution far beyond the traditional high-street launderette. Modular and scalable, the system is well suited to a wide range of environments, from unattended launderettes where reliability and remote management are critical, to universities and student accommodation catering to a largely cashless generation. It also provides a seamless guest amenity for holiday parks, hotels, motels and caravan parks, while helping route operators simplify collections and manage dispersed assets more efficiently.
“The evolution extends far beyond just taking payments,” says Hudson.
Tangerpay’s connected architecture enables real-time visibility into store performance. Operators can monitor machine usage, peak trading periods, and revenue trends across one or multiple locations.
“Crucially, you can start machines remotely to support customers from anywhere in the world, generate instant reports, and adjust pricing with ease. Integrated membership functionality further increases value; operators can offer top-up bonuses or targeted promotions to build direct, lasting relationships with their patrons.”
What began as a solution to add payment options has developed into a plug-and-play platform sold in 95 countries, designed to modernise launderettes without requiring costly infrastructure changes.
“The next phase of the industry will be defined by connectivity and customer experience. Launderettes that embrace integrated, data-enabled systems today will be best positioned for growth, resilience, and capable of a higher turnover,” Hudson says.
