“I realised a majority of my time on the weekend was spent doing things that are time-consuming and tedious,” he told FMT Lifestyle. “It felt like a universal problem, so I started thinking of how to make it more interesting.”
That thought led to a simple but clever idea: combine a laundromat with a café and turn waiting time into downtime.
Together with co-founder Tan Khai Song, 33, Sheum brought that concept to life in February this year with Randy’s Laundromat, a laid-back space where customers can wash their clothes while enjoying a drink, a snack, or even a board game.
The inspiration also came from the past, when laundry was a communal activity. People gathered at rivers or shared washing areas, chatting as they worked. Randy’s Laundromat aims to recreate that sense of connection, minus the manual labour.
The space is fully equipped with six commercial washers and dryers, an ironing station, and all the essentials you’d need on a typical laundry day.
But beyond functionality, it invites customers to linger. There is Wi-Fi for work, shelves of zines and graphic novels for browsing, and a relaxed atmosphere for simply unwinding.
“I think what really distinguishes this from a regular laundromat is how it’s curated,” Sheum said. “There’s a small serendipity to everything here.”
The interior draws from the design of stepwells – historic Indian structures built to collect water. Earthy brown tones echo stone walls, while green accents reflect the colour of water within those spaces, giving the café a calm, grounded feel.
As for the name, Randy? It started as an inside joke between Sheum and his girlfriend, 28, who even considered it as a potential baby name. It stuck, eventually becoming the identity of the laundromat’s raccoon mascot, seen on the plastic containers of the beverages they serve.
Early days were slow, Tan admitted, as many visitors initially assumed it was just a laundry-themed café. But curiosity has since turned into steady foot traffic, with customers appreciating the novelty of doing laundry in a comfortable, social setting.
The menu leans into that “elevated” experience. Paninis are simple yet satisfying, while drinks like the Sunrise Spritz and Mr Miyagi offer a light, refreshing break from routine.
“We try not to offer just a simple sandwich,” Tan said with a laugh. “We want to create a slightly elevated experience.”
Looking ahead, the founders hope to expand the space’s role beyond laundry and coffee. Plans include hosting small events, including Ladies’ Nights – a response to concerns from women who feel unsafe doing laundry late at night.
“If you ever need a change of scenery while doing chores, our doors are always open,” Sheum said. “Enjoy soft music, the scent of coffee, and a comfortable space. Doing your laundry can be much better here.”
Randy’s Laundromat
A-G-11, Jalan PJU 1A/3J
Taipan Damansara 1
Ara Damansara
47301 Petaling Jaya
Business hours: 9am–10pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Follow Randy’s Laundromat on Instagram.