How to Start a Clothes Laundering Business

Starting a clothes laundering business can be lucrative if you're located in the right area and you plan your venture carefully. Everyone needs his laundry done, and many people don't feel like doing it themselves, so there is a market for this type of service.

Things You'll Need

• Budget Business plan Marketing plan Washing machine Dryer Laundry cleaning supplies

Instructions

1. Choose a target market or niche. This can be college students, busy professionals or those who are unable to do laundry due to their disabilities. Other popular niches include environmentally friendly laundry, laundry of organic fabrics and vintage fabric care.

2. Develop a business plan. The business plan will include your budget, an analysis of your competition and your goals for the next few years. If you are financing your laundry business privately, this can be an informal document. If you plan to seek funding from a bank or investors, you will need a very thorough business plan. The plan should also include a list of the services you plan to offer.

3. Develop a marketing plan. The plan will all depend on your target market, but should include how you will advertise; whether you will run promotions and sales, and how often; potential business partnerships; community relations, such as partnering with a nonprofit or donating profits to a charity; and public relations, free publicity gained through media attention.

4. Decide where you will do your clients' laundry. You may want to do this in your home, or you can take it to a laundromat.

5. Figure out how you will charge, how much you will charge, and how you will pick up and deliver the laundry. Some laundry services charge by the load, and some charge per month of service. Other services leave their customers a bin to put the laundry in and place on their doorstep, while others will go to their customers'places of business.

Tips & Warnings

• Having a van is useful, especially when you gain a large clientele. Use high-quality laundry supplies and cleaners. Consider offering a discount to loyal customers.

• You may want insurance, as it is inevitable that one of your customers' pieces of laundry will get ruined.