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The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbieshas brought a whole new business system to the series. With the new expansions, Sims can run tattoo studios, open pottery businesses, host specialist classes, and more. The expansion integrates itself well into the series’ other DLC, offering a lot of cross-pack compatibility.
Simmers with Cats & Dogs can enjoy running pet cafes, while those with Spa Day can finally own spas, or if you have Bowling Stuff you can run the retro bowling alley of your dreams. Businesses & Hobbies even breathes new life into a more niche DLC, by adding the option of running a laundromat.
How To Set Up A Laundromat
You can run a laundromat pretty much the same way you wouldstart any other small business. You’ll need tochoose a venue, buy the right items, andregister the businessin a particular way.
You can only run a laundromat if you own both The Sims 4: Businesses & Hobbies andThe Sims 4: Laundry Day Stuff.
Choosing Your Venue
Your laundromat can berun from home or a business venue. If you don’t want to live on the same property as the laundromat, then you’ll need tohave the funds readyto purchase a business property.
If you want to run a laundromat from your Sim’s home, then you can skip buying a venue and jump straight into registering your business.
To buy a business venue, grab your Sim’s phone andselect the Business icon,as shown with an orange briefcase. FindBuy Small Business Venue Lotin the menu and select it.
Alternatively, you may go to a computer andselect the Small Business menu. Then, use theBuy Small Business Venue Lot interaction. You can then chooseany empty Residential, Community, or Small Business Venue Lotsin your budget.
If you’re buying somewhere to open your business, then you’ll have the option to register the property as a small business at the same time. Keep the box ticked under the property you’re buying to help cut some corners.
Registering A Small Business
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to set up shop, you’ll need toregister your laundromatif you haven’t already. This will cost you afurther 750 Simoleonsand allows you to customise exactly what your business does.
Go back to your Sim’s phone or computer and navigate to the Business or Small Business menu. Then,select Register Small Business. From here, a menu will open that allows you to name your business, decide how it functions, and set some parameters around your clients.
If you’re running a laundromat from home, then this step is particularly vital as you won’t have already registered the business while buying the venue.Registering a small business is keyto starting your home business.
To turn your Sim’s new business into a laundromat specifically, ensure youadd the Do Laundry optionto the list of activities. You might also want to add a few things for Sims to do while they wait, like Watch TV or Listen To Music.
Items Needed To Open A Laundromat
Some items are obvious additions for laundromats, while others are less intuitive. For example, you’ve probably figured out that you need toown washing machines and dryersto start your new venture.
Figuring outhow to monetise your business- which you’ll probably want to do, at least enough so to break even - is less clear. The best way of doing this isusing a ticket kiosk, but owning the washers and dryers is enough. You’ll also want to add a laundry hamper.
To kick off your laundromat,head to Build/Buy Modeand grab the following items:
1,025
525
500
180
125
Wicker Whims Hamper
100
If you paste these exact item names into the search bar, then it’ll make finding these items much easier.
You might also want tograb a business signor two, but they’re technically optional. If you have any other activities selected in your business registration, like listening to music or watching TV, thenmake sure you add the relevant itemsfor those too.
If you felt like going for a more old-school, analogue feel, you could also equip your laundromat withwashing lines and tubs. It might not be the most convenient experience for your clients, but it could be an interesting vibe.
How To Charge Customers To Use A Laundromat
Since coin machines aren’t a thing, it’s a little confusing how to make money from your laundromat. However, theregular machines will automatically charge customersfor using them on free-to-attend businesses.
Sims are charged 19 Simoleonseach time they use a washer or dryer on properties that don’t have an active ticket kiosk. This is a flat rate that can’t be changed.
Alternatively, you canuse ticket kiosks to charge Simson entry or by the hour. you may choose between two ticket kiosks from Build/Buy Mode:
After placing at least one ticket kiosk in your small business,new options will become availableto you in your business panel. These options allow you tocharge Sims for coming to or spending time at your business.
Open the small business panel in Live Mode bygoing to the Owned Businesses panelon the bottom right-hand side. It looks like a cash register. Then,select Small Business Settingsnext to the name of your business.
This will re-open the window you may have seen while registering your business in the first place. This time, go to the section thatsays Entrance Fees. Select the drop-down menu andchoose either Hourly or One-Time.
You can’t choose a completely custom fee, but you canadjust the chargein increments using the next drop-down menu. Theamounts you cancharge per hourare:
-50%
2
-25%
3
+0%
5
+50%
7
+100%
10
If you’d prefer to charge Sims aone-off fee on arrival, then your options are:
11
17
23
34
46
It seems pretty steep to get your clothes washed, but the economy in The Sims isn’t exactly the most stable at any time.
