Hiring the right laundry attendant can make a big difference in maintaining quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction at your laundry shop.
But finding the perfect employee can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. And from my humble experience, there can be dozens of applicants, but very few worthy candidates.
So you need to ask the right questions.
How can you prepare your interview questions to find the best candidate for your laundry shop? Let's dive right in.

9 Common Laundry Attendant Interview Questions with Sample Answers
Here are some key questions to ask during interviews, along with answers to help you check if they hit the mark.
Before you go further, it might be best to first read about a laundry attendant's job description.
Q1: What is your experience as a laundry attendant?
Hiring managers or owners ask this question to gauge the candidate's background and experience in providing stellar laundry service. It helps you understand their familiarity with laundry operations and their ability to handle the job.
Sample Answer: "I have been working as a laundry attendant for three years in Wash Avenue and Bubble Laundry. My responsibilities included washing, drying, folding clothes, and managing customer orders. I am comfortable operating commercial laundry machines and have learned efficient methods to maintain high-quality service."
Q2: What made you want to become a laundry attendant?
As an interviewer, this question helps you understand the candidate's motivation and passion for the job. It can reveal whether they see this role as a long-term career or if they're just looking to tide the unemployment gap.
Sample Answer: "I enjoy working in an organized and systematic environment. Laundry requires attention to detail and provides a sense of accomplishment when customers are satisfied with their clean clothes. Also, I have always found joy in making things tidy."
It's rare to find someone who dreams of a career as a laundry attendant. Often times, your local laundress got the job out of necessity. So don't expect applicants to be extremely passionate about working in a laundry shop.
Q3: How would you handle a customer complaint about missing clothes?
You want to see how they respond to customer concerns and maintain customer satisfaction. Resolving issues smoothly is key in this role.
Sample Answer: "I would first apologize and show empathy for the situation. Then, I would review our records and communicate with my team to locate the missing clothes. If we can't find them immediately, I would offer a credit or discount on their next service and ensure follow-up. Otherwise, I will offer to pay a percent of the clothe's cost as per company policy."
Q4: How would you handle a customer complaint about smelly clothes ("amoy luom")
Handling complaints about smelly clothes shows their ability to maintain quality and tackle issues without blaming others.
Sample Answer: "I would apologize to the customer and check our equipment for any issues. Additionally, I would offer to rewash the clothes at no extra charge and ensure they are properly dried to eliminate any odor."
Q5: How do you ensure that a customer never receives someone else's laundry?
This question tests their attention to detail and organizational skills while they sort laundry.
Sample Answer: "I always double-check labels and tags on each order before and after washing. I also keep a meticulous log of each customer’s laundry details and ensure that each order is packaged separately to avoid mix-ups."
Q6: How can you keep our shop clean and organized?
Attendants are also responsible for the cleanliness of your laundry facility. You ask this to understand their commitment to maintaining a tidy workspace, which contributes to efficient operations.
Sample Answer: "I follow a routine cleaning schedule and ensure that all equipment is cleaned after use. I also organize laundry supplies systematically, so everything is easy to find. This helps maintain a clean and efficient workspace."
Q7: What would you do if a washing machine breaks down and you still have plenty of laundry to wash?
Broken laundry equipment will often send inexperienced attendants into a panic and would rather keep quiet for fear of being blamed. Problem-solving skills and the ability to handle unexpected situations are crucial for this role.
Sample Answer: "I would quickly notify my supervisor of the breakdown. In the meantime, I would redistribute the laundry among the remaining machines and inform customers about any expected delays. Working efficiently and keeping customers updated is the key."
Q8: Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer. How did you handle it?
Handling customer complaints gracefully shows their ability to maintain good customer service under pressure.
Sample Answer: "Once, a customer was unhappy about a stain that wasn’t removed. I calmly listened to their concern, apologized, and offered to rewash the item. By showing empathy and taking swift action, I managed to keep the customer satisfied."
Q9: How do you stay organized when managing multiple customers' laundry?
The laundry industry is fast-paced and attendants are expected to handle multiple tasks at once. This question assesses their time management and organizational abilities, which are important in a busy environment.
Sample Answer: "I stay organized by using a detailed scheduling and tagging system. Each order is logged with a timestamp and specific instructions, which helps me keep track. I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and use checklists to ensure nothing is missed."
Conclusion
While technical skills are important, don't forget to ask questions that reveal problem-solving and customer service skills. A combination of these skills will enable the perfect attendant to thrive in a laundry environment.
In your next interview with an applicant, bring these nine questions with you and you're set to find your next laundry superstar.