Waschsalon: New laundromat reflects community values, offers modern convenience

Amanda and David Bell are opening Waschsalon Laundromat on Jasper’s northside to bring a needed service to the community.

Amanda learned firsthand about the need for a laundromat when she was at a loss finding a place to do her laundry while the Jasper couple’s laundry room was having work done on it. The only laundromat in that she was aware of had closed after a car crashed into it. Driving to the one in Huntingburg seemed like a long way to go to do laundry. Frustrated with her inability to find one in Jasper, she proposed she and her husband open one.

At the time, the couple was considering investment options for their retirement and while Amanda saw the potential in the laundry idea, David didn’t bite. Instead, they purchased some investment properties. However, that brought them back around to the laundromat idea.

One of their properties came with coin-operated laundry facilities.

“He (David) realized that the return was really good on the service and he said, “you know, we ought to look into opening a laundromat,'” she laughed.

On Tuesday, Waschalon will officially open to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Jasper Chamber at 10 a.m. at its location, 2603 North Newton Street, next to Batteries Now.

The new laundromat features 32 washers and 34 dryers. The washers come in 20-, 40-, 60- and 80-pound capacities. Amanda estimated a person could probably wash and dry their laundry in about an hour with the new machines. In addition to the new machines, each machine is outfitted with a scanner that allows customers to pay with credit, debit or FasCard, a special card issued through the laundromat. No cash will be accepted at any of the machines but a FasCard vending machine will issue preloaded cards for customers that have cash.

Washing costs range from $2 to $9 depending on the size of the load and dryers run from $1.25 to $3.75 with most loads drying in 30 minutes for $2.50.

Waschsalon also features a phone app that customers will be able to preload with money to scan and pay at each machine. As an added feature, the app will also track your laundry’s progress. You can put a load in to wash or dry and run an errand while the cycle is completed. The app will notify you when the cycle is complete and it will also let you know if the door to the machine has been opened.

This isn’t your average laundromat. In keeping with the German-culture of the area, Amanda and David took cues from modern laundry facilities in Germany in coming up with a design for their facility. The professionally designed and decorated facility features a modern look mixed with some 18th Century German design elements.

“We want to be in the Planet Laundry magazine,” Amanda said about the importance of creating a modern, comfortable and clean atmosphere for customers.

Planet Laundry is an industry publication that features interesting laundry facilities from all over the world.

Customers will have access to WiFi as well as a television. A second television will loop video directions in English and Spanish explaining how to use the machines.

The folding tables were custom-built by Amanda’s father, Jeff Johnson. “It is really hard to find good folding tables that are the right height,” Amanda noted adding that her father is offering the custom-made tables for sale as well.

Waschsalon will also feature wash and fold services during the normal business hours. Stain removal is included in the service and it is available for businesses as well. Costs can be found on the company’s website here.

The laundromat will be open 24 hours a day for six days a week. In accordance with Amanda and David’s religious beliefs, the laundromat will close for the Sabbath at sundown on Friday and reopen at sundown on Saturday.

Originally the pair planned on being open every day but as they continued to run into roadblocks while working to open the business, they decided to commit to closing one day a week. The day they committed to keeping a day for the Sabbath, the problems they were having quickly cleared up and they were able to move forward with the business.

According to Amanda, the couple sees the business as another addition to the many great things going on in Jasper. “We see what is happening and want to make a contribution with a great facility for the community,” she explained. “I would love to have people be excited to come here. I want them to look forward to doing their laundry here.”

While Amanda originally wanted to be a teacher, she ended up focusing on nursing after a friend introduced it to her as a career option. She loved it and still maintains her nursing certifications. With raising the couple’s young child though she was looking for another option that allowed her to be more focused on her family. Waschsalon will hopefully allow her to do that while she does something she loves.

“It’s my top house chore,” Amanda said. “I would do 10 loads of laundry versus cleaning one toilet. I love putting in dirty laundry and seeing it come out clean.”

The company can be reached by phone at 812-556-0495 and on Facebook here.

David is a doctor at Memorial Hospital. The Jasper couple has five children; Isaac, 4, Christian, 21, Sarah, 31, Emily, 27, and Keeli, 19.

Amanda will be joined by her good friend Amanda Smith in operating the Waschsalon.