Should you add wash and fold laundry services to your dry cleaning business?

Although it may come at an additional cost, many customers are willing to pay for the convenience it offers. According to market research, the dry cleaning and laundry services around the globe are projected to grow from $93 billion in 2020 to $127 billion by 2025. If you’re contemplating whether to add wash and fold laundry services to your dry cleaning business, there are some important things to consider and some simple ways to get started.

How to start a wash and fold business

Assess workspace and staff availability

Before incorporating wash and fold laundry services, assess whether your business has adequate space and staff to handle the additional workload. Wash and fold operations require substantial physical space within your store for sorting, washing, and folding laundry. Furthermore, your employees will need to dedicate time to organizing and folding garments efficiently. If you lack the necessary space or resources to hire additional staff, it might not be the ideal time to introduce wash and fold laundry services to your business.

Plan for a potential spike in demand

Adding wash and fold laundry services can lead to a significant increase in demand for your business. Customers who were previously unaware or hesitant to utilize your dry cleaning services may be enticed by the convenience of wash and fold. Consequently, you should prepare your business to handle a surge in demand. Sure, it may seem like a good problem to have, but not being adequately prepared to handle an influx of customers can lead to slow downs, delays, and unhappy customers that may not be willing to give you a second chance. Ensure that your staff is adequately trained and capable of managing larger volumes of laundry efficiently. Additionally, consider implementing software within your POS system to handle bookings, pick-ups, and deliveries effectively.

Update your loyal customers

If you have an existing customer base, leverage your communication channels to inform them about the new wash and fold laundry services. Utilize email lists, newsletters, membership programs, or even physical mailings to reach out to your regular customers. By exclusively informing your loyal customer base, you can test your business’s ability to handle the initial demand. This trial run will allow you to fine-tune your processes and identify any potential bottlenecks before marketing the service to a broader audience.

Consider also collecting feedback from this initial group of customers to identify any potential obstacles in the process. Your customers can help provide incredibly valuable data and perspective from their side of the customer service relationship. Proper due diligence in this phase can help you feel much more confident once you roll this service out to a broader group of customers.

Advertise on your website and social channels

Now that you’re ready to scale up and fully operationalize your wash and fold services, be sure to update your website, social media platforms, and even physical signage in and around your store to ensure that customers are aware of the new offering. Highlight the convenience and benefits of wash and fold laundry services, emphasizing how it can save them time and effort. By effectively communicating the introduction of this service, you can generate interest and potentially attract new customers.

Adding wash and fold laundry services to your dry-cleaning business can be a strategic move to help enhance customer convenience and attract a broader clientele. Careful consideration of your available resources, space, and staff is essential to ensure a smooth integration of this service. Additionally, updating your website, social platforms, and signage can help create awareness and gauge the initial demand.

By making some initial considerations and selectively rolling out your service to a smaller group of customers first, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to expand your offerings, potentially propelling your dry cleaning business to new heights of success.

To learn how our POS system for dry cleaners can help you elevate your operation, contact a Clover Business Consultant today.

Editorial Team

Personal services, Run your business, SMB

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