LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the owners of nine Splash ’Em Out Laundromats here, 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.
PROBLEM WORTH SOLVING
For years, the Reeds’ vended laundries and drop-off wash-dry-fold (WDF) businesses have flourished. Making convenience a priority, they also have smart lockers at most of their stores and other locations, so customers can drop off and pick up laundry 24/7.
But with that growth came a bit of discomfort.
“Our vended laundries were overwhelmed by drop-off orders and lacked shelving space,” says Joe Dan. “This pushed us to look for a dedicated building to house a centralized commercial laundry.”
The Reeds recognized a clear opportunity to centralize production, ease the burden on their stores and better pursue a growing commercial segment.
BUILDING A PRODUCTION ‘ENGINE’
Their search for the right space ended with a large facility in Lexington’s commercial district.
After investing $500,000 in renovations, the building became a true production engine. Jeff Dunn of Cincinnati, Ohio-based laundry solutions distributor Machinex designed the equipment mix and layout.
“Jeff played a major role in developing what we have today,” Joe Dan shares.
Dunn’s strongest recommendation surprised them.
“We only had experience with the hard-mount washers in our vended stores,” says Joe Dan. “Jeff insisted the Girbau Commercial GS-Series soft-mount washers were unreal. We discovered he was right.”
CENTERPIECE OF THE PLANT
Shifting from hard-mount to GS Series soft-mount washers delivered immediate gains. Hard-mount washers require heavy anchoring and offer limited extract speeds. GS soft-mount washers install easily, relocate easily as the business grows, and deliver superior productivity and programmability, according to the Reeds.
Most hard-mounts washers reach 75-200 G-force extract speeds. By comparison, the GS-Series Washers generate and sustain 450 G-force extract speeds, which remove more water from every load. That level of moisture removal reshapes the entire workflow. Loads dry faster, natural gas consumption drops, and throughput rises across every shift. Dryers also run less often, which eliminates bottlenecks there.
“The soft-mount washers pay for themselves every day,” says Joe Dan. “Lower utilities and faster production mean everything moves more efficiently. The linen, which spends less time in the dryer, should last longer, too.”
TECHNOLOGY FOR CONTROL
Each GS-Series Washer offers up to 99 custom programs, a rugged 10-inch touchscreen user interface and a 360° Corner Status Light that’s visible from across the floor.
Even more valuable is the hybrid Genius Control, which switches between vended, customer-facing programming, and commercial, operator-facing programming.
“We run 90 different wash programs designed by our chemical rep,” says Kelli. “We control G-force, chemical injection, delayed starts and timed soaks. I set delayed starts at end of day so loads finish right as operators arrive in the morning. It saves a ton of time.”
When cycles complete, the washers’ status lights glow green.
“Operators across the warehouse know instantly what’s ready,” Kelli says. “The lights keep the work moving.”
The plant runs five new GS-Series Washers in 60- and 80-pound capacities, supported by a repurposed mix of vended hard-mount washers and dryers.
FINISHERS BUILT FOR SPEED
Near the washers, the Reeds rely on a Girbau Commercial Express Flatwork Ironer to finish sheets, duvets, pillowcases and table linens. The ironer processes items straight from the washer with no dryer conditioning, which sharply cuts natural gas use and frees up drying capacity.
With two operators feeding, the Express Ironer finishes up to 49 feet of linen per minute.
A Foltex Folder completes the mix. One operator feeds, and the machine automatically folds gowns, blankets, sheets, and towels at rates up to 1,000 pieces per hour.
Together, these finishing tools deliver commercial speed with controlled labor.
OPERATION BUILT FOR GROWTH
Opened in 2023 and staffed by 10 employees, the Splash ’Em Out commercial plant delivers to customers in a 30-mile radius with 24-hour turnaround. Orders never intermingle, and a Curbside Laundries point-of-sale system tracks every step of the laundry journey, from pickup to delivery.
The plant processes 20,000 pounds of laundry per week (not including specialty items) and is equipped to handle up to 50,000. The goal? To scale to 100,000 pounds weekly with 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
Beyond standard production, the Reeds carved a niche with specialty services that highlight both their creativity and their equipment’s capabilities.
In Kentucky horse country, equine laundry offers a natural advantage. Using GS-Series programming and specific chemistry that’s automatically injected into the washers, Splash ’Em Out cleans and waterproofs horse blankets with careful attention to pH.
“You don’t want to irritate a multimillion-dollar horse,” says Joe Dan. “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 a corner on the market.
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,” Joe Dan shares.
“We wash them for $5 each using a program that removes dust mites and extends pillow life,” adds Kelli. “Hotels appreciate the savings, and residential customers love the service, too.”
MARKETING FOR 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.
INNOVATION AT EVERY LEVEL
The Reeds’ Splash ’Em Out 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.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
