As a gym owner, you know that towels and cleanliness are an essential part of the customer experience. But towel rental services can be expensive, especially if you have a large gym.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak with many business owners and managers to determine the issues they faced with their laundry vendors and process.
In this blog post, I'm going to share some of my best tips for saving money on towel rental services for gyms:

1. Do your research
The first step to saving money on towel rental services is to do your research, know your weekly usage and be aware of how it changes weekly and/or seasonally. There are a number of different towel rental services available, however buying towels and using a local laundromat vs. a rental service is a very different experience and each one offers different pricing plans. It's important to compare the different plans and find one that fits your budget.
You should also consider the quality of the towels that the towel rental service offers. You don't want to save money on towel rental services only to end up with towels that are low quality and uncomfortable for your customers.
2. Negotiate with your towel rental service
Once you've found a few towel rental services that you're interested in, you should negotiate with them. Many towel rental services are willing to negotiate on their pricing, especially if you're a large gym.
You can also negotiate for other services, such as one week free service, or to waive the set-up fees. Also, if you're willing to commit to a long-term contract, you may be able to get a better price.
3. Wash your own towels
If you have the space and the resources, you can wash your own towels. This is a great way to save money on towel rental services, but it's important to make sure that you have the right equipment and supplies.
You'll need a commercial washer and dryer, as well as detergent and fabric softener. You'll also need to have a place to store the clean towels. However, the biggest thing to consider is how you will manage your damaged and lost/stolen towels - this is where most gyms struggle.
4. Ask for referrals
If you know other gym owners, ask them if they have any recommendations for towel rental services. They may be able to give you some insider information on the best way to save money or the vendor they are using. Furthermore, if you are a franchisee of large brand then you may be able to leverage other franchise owners that you know will also sign up for the service.
5. Consider using a hybrid model
If you're not sure which option is right for you, you can consider using a hybrid model. This means that you would use a towel rental service for some of your towels and wash your own towels for others. For example, floor mats tend to require less maintenance but can cost a business owner a significant amount in a rental program - if you were to launder floor mats in house monthly then you would likely save on your service invoice.
This can be a good way to save money while still providing your customers with the convenience of having clean towels available.
Conclusion
There are a number of ways to save money on towel rental services for your gym. By following the tips in this blog post, you can save money without sacrificing the quality of your gym's towels.
Here are some additional tips to help you save money on towel rental services:
Consider the size of your gym. If you have a small gym, you may not need as many towels as a large gym. This could save you money on your weekly rental fee.
Track your towel usage. Keep track of how many towels you use each month. This will help you determine if you are overpaying for towel rental services.
Consider switching to a different towel rental service. If you are not happy with your current towel rental service, consider switching to a different one.
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Marques Gresham
FlexLinen - CEO