How to Start a Cloth Diaper Service
Cloth diapers, which can save new parents thousands of dollars each year in diapering costs, are an appealing option for parents looking to save money and reduce waste. Cloth diaper services allow parents to reap the rewards of cloth diapering without having to manage the uglier side of the practice: laundering the dirty diapers. If you live in a cloth-diapering friendly area, starting a diaper service could be lucrative.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Diapers
- Inserts
- Covers
- Pails
- Commercial grade washers and dryers
- Eco-friendly cleaning products
- Website
- Delivery van
- Location
Instructions
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Conduct market research on your target demographic to ensure viability. Visit the U.S. Census online to learn statistics for your town, such as the number of babies born each year, median income and average sized household.
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Find out about any local competition. Take note of the services they provide, turnaround time, delivery and pickup routes and price lists. If no competition exists, conduct your research online. While rates from other regions may not be completely realistic, they can be a good starting point.
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Research the most cost-effective, quality cloth diapers, covers and inserts to rent to your clients. Having a uniform diaper system allows you to wash the diapers without having to worry about colors leaking or fading.
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Evaluate your anticipated operating costs. Determine the amount of washers, dryers, delivery drivers, square footage, diapers and accessories for rent and commercial vehicles you will need. Then detail the revolving expenses, such as eco-friendly detergent, insurance, office supplies and gas.
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Secure a location for your business. Contact your licensing and building department to ensure that you have the required water and building permits and to set up an inspection. Obtain your business permit.
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Offer a variety of rates and services to lure in the largest audience. For example, set rates for pickup, slightly cheaper rates for drop off services, and even cheaper rates for frugal clients who prefer to wash their own diapers but wish to rent your cloth diapers. You might also allow clients to have you wash their own cloth diapers. Charge accordingly, as colored diapers will need to be washed separately.
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Purchase a website for your diaper business. Look to advertise on cloth diapering sites. Contact local and national parenting magazines, such as Cookie and Parents about purchasing ad space. You may be able to get listed in online parenting magazines for free. Submit a press release prior to your grand opening. Post fliers on bulletin boards at baby and kid clothing and toy stores around town. Parents interested in cloth diapers are often also interested in natural living. Post fliers at health food stores, organic grocers and environmentally-friendly boutiques around town.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact local doulas, Lamaze instructors and midwives and inform them of your business.
Consider offering or sponsoring breastfeeding, cloth diapering and child nutrition classes.
Offer discounted rates for additional children.
Include pickup instructions for clients, such as how to prepare the soiled diapers and where to leave them, on your website.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Laundry Soap image by Tabitha Little from Fotolia.com
