17 Laundry Attendant Interview Questions and Answers

Laundry attendants are responsible for the care and maintenance of laundry equipment and the laundering of clothes, linens, and other textiles in a variety of business, institutional, and health care settings. This position generally requires a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training.

If you’re looking for a position as a laundry attendant, you may be asked a range of questions in an interview. Review the following laundry attendant interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with laundry equipment?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the necessary skills to perform your job duties. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific piece of equipment that you are comfortable using and how often you use it.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with laundry equipment. In my previous role as a laundry attendant, I used all types of machines including front load washers, top load washers and dryers. I also regularly used ironing boards and irons to press clothes.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a laundry attendant?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and abilities needed for the job. They want someone who is organized, responsible and friendly. When answering this question, think about what qualities helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I believe that organization and communication are two of the most important qualities for a laundry attendant. I am always prepared with my supplies and know exactly where everything is. This helps me get through my day quickly and efficiently. Communication is also very important because it allows me to work well with others. I can clearly explain how to use our machines and answer any questions they may have.”

How would you handle a situation where a customer is unhappy with their laundry?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can handle challenging situations and make customers happy. In your answer, try to emphasize how you would use your interpersonal skills to resolve the situation.

Example: “If a customer is unhappy with their laundry, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would work to understand what went wrong and find out if there was anything I could do to fix it. If the problem was due to an error on my part, I would offer to rewash or replace the items free of charge. If the issue was caused by another factor, such as a malfunctioning machine, I would explain the situation and provide them with a discount.”

What is your process for handling and storing laundry supplies?

This question can help interviewers understand how you organize your work and the supplies you use. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for handling laundry supplies, including when you receive them, when you put them away and when you restock them.

Example: “When I first start my shift, I take inventory of all the supplies in the laundry room. If there are any missing or damaged items, I report this to management so they can replace them. After taking inventory, I store all the supplies in their designated locations. For example, I place detergent in the supply closet, dryer sheets in the drawer by the dryers and bleach in the cabinet next to the washing machines.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer and how it helped the customer’s experience.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know that you are willing to help customers in any way possible and that you care about their experience at the laundry facility. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation where you helped a customer and how it made them feel.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a regular customer who would come in every week with her young son. He was always so excited to see me when he came into the facility, which made me happy as well. One day, his mom forgot to bring him his favorite stuffed animal. She was very upset, but I offered to wash it for free so she could have it back by the next time they visited.”

If a piece of laundry equipment breaks while you’re working, how would you handle it?

An employer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle unexpected situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when a piece of laundry equipment broke while you were working and how you fixed the issue or informed someone else who could fix it.

Example: “In my previous role as a laundry attendant, I was folding clothes when one of the dryers suddenly stopped working. I immediately notified my supervisor so they could inform maintenance. The dryer needed to be replaced, but luckily there was another dryer that we could use in the meantime.”

What would you do if a customer left a pile of laundry on the counter but didn’t leave any money to pay for the wash?

This question is a great way to test your customer service skills. Employers ask this question because they want to know that you will treat their customers with respect and help them resolve any issues they have. In your answer, try to show the employer that you are willing to help customers in need.

Example: “If a customer left a pile of laundry on the counter but didn’t leave any money to pay for it, I would politely ask if they had forgotten to pay. If they said no, I would offer to put the clothes back into the washing machine so they could wash again at no charge. If they still refused to pay, I would explain that we can only do free washes once per day. Then, I would give them a discount on the next load of laundry they washed.”

How well do you pay attention to detail?

Attention to detail is an important skill for laundry attendants because they need to make sure that the clothes are washed and dried properly. Employers ask this question to see if you have the ability to pay attention to small details in your work. When answering, try to think of a time when you noticed something was wrong with someone’s clothing or dryer cycle. Explain what steps you took to fix it or report it to your supervisor.

Example: “I am very good at paying attention to detail. In my last job as a laundry attendant, I noticed one day that some of the dryers were taking longer than usual to finish their cycles. After checking all the dryers, I realized that two of them had broken lint filters. I replaced both filters so the dryers could start working again.”

Do you have any experience working with inventory management software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with computer software and how you use it to complete tasks. If you have previous experience using inventory management software, explain what you used and how it helped you in your role. If you don’t have any experience working with this type of software, you can still answer honestly by describing a time when you had to organize or manage data for an important project.

Example: “In my last position as a laundry attendant, I worked with a software program that tracked our laundry supplies. This allowed me to keep track of all incoming and outgoing supplies so we could ensure we always had enough detergent, bleach and other supplies on hand. It also helped me identify which supplies were running low so I could order more before they ran out.”

When is it appropriate to offer customers a discounted rate on laundry services?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can provide excellent customer service while also maintaining the company’s bottom line. In your answer, explain how you would determine when it is appropriate to offer a discount and what factors you would consider.

Example: “I would only offer customers a discounted rate if they were having trouble paying for their laundry services. For example, I once had a customer who was trying to wash her clothes but didn’t have enough quarters to do so. I gave her some of my own change so she could finish washing her clothes. After she left, I counted up all the money I used to help her and then subtracted that amount from her bill.”

We want to improve our customer service. Tell me about a strategy you would use to do that.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can improve the customer experience. They want to know that you’re willing to make changes and help their company succeed. In your answer, explain a strategy you used in the past or one you would implement if hired.

Example: “I once worked at a dry cleaner where we had many customers who came in with stained clothing. I started a stain removal service where I taught people how to remove stains from their clothes. This helped our business because it increased sales of our stain remover products. It also improved the customer experience by giving them more information about caring for their clothes.”

Describe your experience working with children.

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with children. If the laundry facility has a play area, they might want someone who can interact positively with kids while their parents do laundry. Your answer should show that you enjoy working with children and are comfortable in an environment where there are young people.

Example: “I’ve worked as a babysitter for several families over the past few years. I love spending time with kids and helping them learn new things. One family had two small children, so I helped them practice colors, shapes and numbers. The kids loved playing games like hide-and-seek and peekaboo, and we always had fun together.”

What makes you stand out from other laundry attendants?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities. They want to know what makes you unique from other laundry attendants. When answering this question, think of a skill or quality that sets you apart from others in the industry. You can also mention any certifications you have.

Example: “I am certified as a laundry attendant through the state. I also have experience working with large machines like washers and dryers. This is an important skill because it helps me understand how to use different types of equipment. Another thing that makes me stand out is my attention to detail. I always make sure to check each load for stains and missing items before sending them to the proper place.”

Which laundry equipment do you have the most experience using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with laundry equipment. It can also show them which machines you’re most comfortable using and how familiar you are with different types of laundry equipment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the specific brands or models of machines that you have used in previous positions.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with front-load washers and dryers during my past two jobs as a laundry attendant. However, I am also very familiar with top-load washing machines and coin-operated laundry machines. In fact, I helped train my coworker on how to use those machines when she started working at our facility.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of laundry care?

Interviewers ask this question to see if you understand the laundry industry and what it takes to be a successful attendant. They want someone who can perform all aspects of the job well, so they are looking for an answer that includes all the necessary skills. When answering this question, make sure to include every aspect of laundry care, such as folding, sorting and washing.

Example: “I think the most important part of laundry care is making sure each load is washed thoroughly. I know how much time people spend in the laundry room waiting for their clothes to finish, so I always make sure to wash each load twice to ensure stains come out completely. Another important part of laundry care is folding. Clothes need to be folded neatly so customers can take them home or put them away when they get home.”

How often should laundry facilities be cleaned?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping a laundry facility clean. They want employees who can keep their facilities sanitary and safe for customers. In your answer, explain that it’s important to thoroughly clean laundry facilities daily. Explain how doing so helps prevent germs from spreading.

Example: “I think it’s very important to thoroughly clean laundry facilities every day. Doing so prevents germs from spreading throughout the building. It also ensures that all equipment is functioning properly. I have experience cleaning my previous employer’s laundry facility multiple times per day. This included mopping floors, emptying trash cans and disinfecting surfaces.”

There is a disagreement between two customers in your laundry facility. How would you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. This is because laundry facilities often have customers who are unhappy with the service they receive, and it’s important for employees to be able to diffuse these situations. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can remain calm in tense situations and use problem-solving techniques to find solutions.

Example: “I would first make sure both parties feel heard. Then I would try to understand what each person wants from the situation. If one customer was upset about a stain on their clothes, I might offer to rewash the item at no charge. If the other customer feels like the facility should compensate them for the inconvenience, I would explain our policy of not refunding money or issuing credits after an item has been laundered.”