LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the owners of nine Splash ’Em Out Laundromats here in the Lexington area, Joe Dan and Kelli Reed aren’t afraid to aim high.
Since 2002, they’ve followed a simple formula: Identify what customers need, invest in technology that solves real problems, and deliver service at a level most laundries never attempt.
Their newest venture — a 20,000-square-foot commercial laundry built for pickup and delivery — is the clearest expression yet of that philosophy.
Created to support booming residential and commercial demand, the new plant stands as their operation’s flagship and a natural progression for two entrepreneurs who constantly evolve with their market.
A High-Capacity Operation Built for Growth
Opened in 2023 and staffed by 10 employees, the Splash ’Em Out commercial plant serves a 30-mile delivery radius with 24-hour turnaround. Orders never intermingle, and a Curbside Laundries point-of-sale system tracks every step from pickup to delivery.
The plant is processing 20,000 pounds of laundry per week (not including specialty items) but is equipped to handle up to 50,000 pounds. The goal? To scale to 100,000 pounds per week with future equipment additions.
Meanwhile, the laundry enjoys a customer base that’s 60% residential and 40% commercial, serving clients from spas and gyms to medical clinics, salons, farms and boutique hotels.
Specialty Services that Create Differentiation
Beyond standard production, the Reeds carved a niche with specialty services that highlight both their creativity and their equipment’s capability.
Equine Laundry and Waterproofing — In Kentucky horse country, equine laundry offers a natural advantage. Using washer programming and specific chemistry that’s automatically injected into the machines, Splash ’Em Out cleans and waterproofs horse blankets with careful attention to pH.
“You don’t want to irritate a multimillion-dollar horse,” Joe Dan says. “We run multiple rinses, a wash cycle, a waterproofing cycle, then extract and hang the blankets dry. We repair blankets, too.”
When it comes to horse farms, Splash ’Em Out has cornered the market.
Hotel Overflow and Pillow Washing — Hotels, on the other hand, turn to Splash ’Em Out for overflow and emergency work when staffing is short or equipment fails. Recently, the Reeds recognized a market need for cleaning bed pillows.
“We approached some hotels that were throwing pillows away and offered to wash them instead,” says Joe Dan.
“We wash them for $5 each using a program that removes dust mites and extends pillow life,” Kelli adds. “Hotels appreciate the savings and residential customers love the service, too.”
Marketing that Accelerates Growth
The Reeds use their strong social media presence to show customers what happens behind the scenes. Their YouTube videos and Instagram and Facebook shorts draw thousands of followers.
“We let people into our world,” says Joe Dan. “It builds trust and interest.”
The icing on the cake? Their SEO-focused website brings Splash ’Em Out to the top of Google search results across the region.
The Reeds’ commercial plant illustrates what happens when vision, smart investment and high-performance tools come together. By pairing their drive for innovation with technology and automation, the Reeds built a facility that produces faster, wastes less and opens doors to new specialty services.
In an industry where efficiency defines competitiveness and customers expect consistent, high-quality results, Splash ’Em Out demonstrates how purposeful reinvestment fuels growth, strengthens service and positions a laundry to lead its market for years to come.
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