Starting a laundry and dry cleaning business can be a lucrative venture for entrepreneurs looking to enter the service industry. Professional laundry services are in high demand due to busy lifestyles and an increasing demand for convenience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to start your own laundry and dry cleaning business, from market research and planning to operations and marketing strategies.
What is a Laundry and Dry Cleaning Business?
A laundry and dry cleaning business is a service-based venture that provides cleaning and maintenance solutions for clothing and textiles. It involves the cleaning of various garments, such as clothes, bedding, curtains, and upholstery, using specialized cleaning techniques and equipment. The primary goal of a laundry and dry cleaning business is to remove dirt, stains, and odors from fabrics, ensuring they are clean, fresh, and well-maintained.
Laundry services typically involve washing, drying, and folding clothes using commercial-grade washing machines and dryers. Dry cleaning, on the other hand, uses chemical solvents instead of water to clean delicate fabrics and garments that cannot be safely washed in a traditional laundry machine. Dry cleaning processes are suitable for items such as suits, dresses, formal wear, and specialty fabrics like silk and wool.
The laundry and dry cleaning business can be started in many different ways. You can open a grand store or can start from the home location with a doorstep delivery service. Also, you can start with a franchisee of a reputed brand. It demands a very small amount of capital investment. However, opening your brand creates an opportunity to offer franchises to enhance the profitability of the business.
Laundry with a dry cleaning service is an evergreen and recession-proof business globally. As per a recent report from Statista, the global revenue from dry cleaning and laundry services is expected to reach USD 79.91 billion in 2027.
12 Steps to Start a Laundry and Dry Cleaning Business
1. Study The Market
Laundry and dry cleaning are localized businesses. Your target demographic is the local people. So study the market first. Try to collect data about the population of your area. Check how many dry cleaning businesses are already there. Figure out the residential and commercial statistics. Therefore, these all will help you in writing a business plan and starting the business accordingly.
2. Gain The Expertise
Do you have previous experience in this field? If not, it is advisable to have some experience. Furthermore, you can try working in an existing dry cleaning shop for a few months to a year. This is hugely beneficial for a new entrepreneur or beginner. It will help you in getting knowledge about the equipment, its usage, customer service, and also several operational aspects.
However, you can also get knowledge from different books available in the market.
3. Select a Location
3. It is essential to choose a strategic location for your laundry business, considering factors such as visibility, accessibility, parking availability, and proximity to your target market. If you want only delivery service, then you can operate from a small space in any location. Even you can start at home. Otherwise, you must have a good store location. Try to position it near locations that use your services. It includes office areas and high-value residential areas.
4. Create a Business Plan
This is the most important part of your business. First of all, plan your business model. Accordingly, you can determine the input costs. Set your business goal and plan to reach it there. According to the ownership pattern, determine the form of your organization. Determine what services you will going to offer.
Draft a clear marketing and sales promotion strategy. How you will go to compete with other laundry services. If there is a need for funding, draft a funding request for the investors. Calculate your startup budget. Draft financial projections with cash flow and ROI.
5. Naming Your Business
Choosing the right name for your laundry and dry cleaning business is crucial for branding and attracting customers. Consider a name that reflects your services, values, and target market. Brainstorm creative and memorable names that are easy to pronounce and spell.
Conduct a thorough search to ensure the chosen name is not already in use and register it as a business entity. Consider adding keywords such as “clean,” “fresh,” or “spotless” to convey the cleanliness and quality of your services. Once you’ve selected a name, create a logo and brand identity to establish a strong visual presence for your business.
6. Obtain Registration and Licenses
Registering your dry cleaning business is essential if you are planning to run a legally compliant company. It is advisable to talk to a local attorney or business consultant. It hugely depends on the area where you want to start the business. Check the labor law of your state or province.
In addition, check the insurance available, especially for this type of business. In conclusion, it is important to do the necessary paperwork and get the license in hand to operate the business.
7. Service Offerings
Develop a range of service offerings to cater to diverse customer needs. Consider offering specialized services such as eco-friendly cleaning, delicate garment care, wedding dress preservation, and corporate laundry services. Provide additional conveniences such as pickup and delivery services to attract busy customers and differentiate your business from competitors.
8. Secure Funding
According to the plan, you need to arrange finance. You can borrow cash from friends and relatives. In addition, you can apply to a bank for a loan. Angel investment is also a very good option for this type of business. However, you can also accept equity capital investment by having business partners.
Related: How To Raise Capital From Investors
9. Procure Equipment
You must invest in high-quality laundry equipment. It includes commercial washers, dryers, pressing machines, and garment-finishing equipment. Ensure proper installation and maintenance of equipment to deliver efficient and high-quality laundry services.
Remember, there is a difference between laundry and dry cleaning. Laundry involves washing clothes using water and detergent while dry cleaning is cleaning clothes using chemicals (no water). You can purchase new machines or you can hire those.
You can also purchase a second-hand machine for cost-cutting. However, new machines are long-lasting and demand less maintenance cost. Ask the machine supplier for on-site training. Check the warranty period and customer service review before placing the final order.
10. Recruiting Manpower
Hire skilled and reliable staff members to handle laundry operations. It includes washing, drying, pressing, and customer service. Provide comprehensive training on equipment operation, garment care, stain removal techniques, and customer service skills. Focus on the importance of professionalism, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction in delivering exceptional laundry services.
11. Fix The Pricing
You will need to offer competitive pricing. In this business, different products attract different price tags. There are a lot of things you can offer for washing. Such as clothing, suits, specialty or designer clothing, and furnishing including carpets and bed linens. Fix a product-wise pricing chart.
12. Marketing and Promotion
Develop a marketing strategy to promote your laundry business and attract customers. Create a website and utilize online and offline marketing channels such as social media, local advertising, flyers, and direct mail campaigns. Partner with local businesses, hotels, and residential communities to offer exclusive discounts or referral programs. Leverage customer reviews and testimonials to build trust and credibility.
Conclusion: This business of laundry and dry cleaning is all about customer satisfaction. More satisfying customers ensure more new and repeat orders. Never get caught arguing with your customer. Try to know the client’s preference for the service. And try to apply them. If you are starting with a shoestring budget, don’t go for a wide range of services. Rather, offer niche services like only leather or only carpet, etc., and start a home-based dry cleaning service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a dry cleaning business?
The amount of investment to start a dry cleaning laundry business will largely depend on the business model, location, and scale of operation. For example, if you are planning to open a full-fledged storefront in the United States, the cost will be around $250,000 to $2 million. However, for launching on a smaller scale or mobile basis, the investment will be lower in the range of $50,000 to $100,000.
Is the dry cleaning business profitable?
As per industry experts, the dry cleaning industry across the world is expected to grow. However, the profitability will depend on the location and quality of services. In the United States, a small dry-cleaning storefront owner makes a profit of $40,000 yearly on average after deducting all expenses.
What equipment do I need to start a laundry and dry cleaning business?
The essential equipment includes commercial-grade washing machines, dryers, steamers, pressing machines, garment racks, and storage shelves. Additionally, you may need specialized equipment for dry cleaning operations, such as dry cleaning machines and spotting boards.
Do I need any certifications or licenses to start a laundry and dry cleaning business?
The requirements vary depending on your location, but you may need business licenses, permits, and certifications to operate legally. These may include health permits, environmental permits, fire safety permits, and any specific licenses for dry cleaning operations.
How much space do I need for a laundry and dry cleaning business?
The space requirements depend on the scale of your operations. You’ll need enough space for the equipment, storage of clean and dirty laundry, customer service counter, and administrative tasks. A small-scale operation can start in a space as small as 500 square feet, while larger operations may require several thousand square feet.
How do I attract customers to my laundry and dry cleaning business?
Effective marketing strategies include offering promotions and discounts for new customers, establishing partnerships with local businesses, advertising through local channels such as newspapers, flyers, and social media, and providing excellent customer service to encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
What are the potential challenges of running a laundry and dry cleaning business?
Challenges may include managing inventory and supply chain logistics, ensuring quality control in cleaning processes, dealing with equipment maintenance and repairs, handling customer complaints and inquiries, and staying competitive in the market.
Is it possible to start a laundry and dry cleaning business from home?
Yes, it’s possible to start a small-scale laundry and dry cleaning business from home, especially if you focus on services like wash-and-fold laundry or pickup and delivery. However, you’ll need to check local regulations and zoning laws to ensure compliance with residential business operations.
What are the considerations for choosing a location for my laundry and dry cleaning business?
Ideally, you’ll want a location with high foot traffic or easy accessibility for customers, ample parking space, proximity to residential areas or businesses, and sufficient space for equipment and operations. Additionally, consider the cost of rent or lease and the demographic profile of the area.
How can I ensure quality control in my laundry and dry cleaning business?
Quality control measures include regular maintenance and calibration of equipment, proper handling of garments to prevent damage or loss, adherence to cleaning and safety protocols, thorough inspection of cleaned items before returning them to customers, and prompt resolution of any customer complaints or issues.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.