How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business

Summary: Are you interested in starting your own dry cleaning business? Here are the basic things you need: a place of business, permits and licenses to operate your business, machineries to do most of your work and a great customer relation service.

Although it looks as if dry cleaning isn’t such a lucrative business practice, it really is one of the most versatile ventures one could get into.

A dry cleaning business can start off very small, and it has great potentials for growth and expansion. Plus, the fact that most everyone needs the services of a good neighborhood dry cleaning business makes it an ideal entrepreneurial practice. A dry cleaning service can also have laundry services, but not all laundry services have dry cleaning. So what are the basic things you need to start this business? You need a place of business, permits and licenses to operate your business, machineries to do most of your work and a great customer relation service.

Your first priority is to find a place to set up your shop. This is not a typical home-based business which you can operate in your basement or garage. You really need a distinctive place to set up a dry cleaning business; preferably, some place that gets a lot of foot traffic. Foot traffic can bring in lots of customers, and the more customers you have the more varied their dry cleaning needs become. Also, you need a space large enough to accommodate your machineries and equipments. A large storage area is also needed to store the chemicals you will need for dry cleaning. Basically, you need to formulate an efficient working lay-out for your dry cleaning business. You need to have a reception and pick-up area, a sorting area, an area for your dry cleaning machines, an area for pressing clothes, an area for hanging and labeling clothes, a packaging area, etc.

You can start this business small, perhaps only offering the basic dry cleaning services to your market. The wonderful thing about the dry cleaning business is that it leaves a lot of room for business development and growth. For example, from simple dry cleaning services, you can then offer sewing and repair services (which will need an in-house seamstress or garment sewer); or you can offer pick-up and delivery services (which will need a vehicle and a delivery person.)

Other types of dry cleaning expansion work include: alteration services, boxing and storing, coin laundry, dyeing, household item cleaning, shoe repair and even wedding gown restoration.

Once you have your place of business, make sure that you get licenses and permits to operate. Don’t hack into the system with a hack business because that’s exactly what you will tend to get: nothing but hack. Make your business legal, and your clients will flock to your shop in droves.

In order to give your clients speedy services on their dry cleaning needs, you really have to invest big time on machineries, equipments and chemicals. Machineries include dry cleaning baths like washers, dryers and presses. Equipments include sorting bins, hanger lines, and garment coverings. Chemicals are essential in all dry cleaning processes, and you must at least be well versed on how to safely use them without damaging the fabric or health of your workers.

Often, people patronize dry cleaning businesses that are close to their homes or to their work areas. Developing great customer relations with your patrons and complaint-free services are ways of establishing your business. It is also the subtle kind of advertising, yet it is the most effective. If your patrons are happy with your business, they might even make referrals to everyone they know. This beats making promos and giving away freebies.

38 Responses to "How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business".

1. Anthony on 7/15/2008

Wonderful information

2. ann on 12/23/2008

the information is of great help i think i am ready to open one now.

3. Oyetunji Anthony on 2/5/2009 11:55:13 PM

I need advices on what to do in order to start a medium standard Dry cleaning and laundry business.

4. uka emmanuel on 3/4/2009 6:28:12 AM

I need advices on how to and set up a medium standard Dry cleaning and laundry business.

5. olaseni abidemi on 3/6/2009 8:22:54 AM

i'm seriously interested in starting up that will eventually contend with high class dry cleaners.

6. micheal on 3/7/2009 9:51:26 AM

i need more elaborate tutorial or tips on more appropriate materials that i can lay my hands on.

7. Valentine A. Nwaokolo on 4/7/2009 10:59:24 AM

I still need precise info on the kind of machine and chemicals and as well as the costing.

8. Riste on 4/15/2009 7:43:22 AM

I would like to ask about how much space do i need for small shop of dry cleaning. and information about machinery from which type, and for start is it ok second hand or used machine?

9. jerry jackson on 4/20/2009 11:33:08 PM

Interested in knowing everything as well as average start up cost.

10. Anyasi Nkechi E. on 4/23/2009 3:02:02 PM

i need to know the equipments needed and cost.

11. efe ikhayere on 4/25/2009 7:02:21 AM

interested in knowing how much space, machinery, chemicals, as well as start up cost needed for this business.

12. igodan vicb on 4/28/2009 10:37:08 AM

laundry business is a good biz. i have started it. i am about expanding... my major constraints are staff, finance... but i would get there

13. Oduopara Blessing on 5/17/2009 5:52:19 PM

Laundry business is good biz. i have not started, am interested in knowing how much space, machinery, chemicals, as well as start up cost needed for this business.

14. Shughudu on 5/19/2009 8:21:09 AM

I want to know how much space is needed to start a small/medium laundry business here in Tanzania, East Africa

15. PECCY on 6/2/2009 12:03:57 PM

Thanks a lot! I have gotten the finance, I have paid for a space, please throw more light on the procedure of setting up a small, modern dry cleaning and laundry outfit, and more importantly where can i get a good operator and what's the best motivational remuneration strategy to sustain professional washman/operator towards delivering good result.

16. Evelyn on 6/7/2009 10:06:40 PM

I am interested in starting a quality care, serious high standard, organic dry cleaning business. I need information on the business, as well as find a group of high standard laundry workers that knows the business at hand. Cost to start, and space, equipment or any other needed items. Thank you!

17. Said Salim on 6/14/2009 8:41:47 AM

Thanks a lot for the article, i am in a process of preparing the business plan for Washing and Dry Clean business. Just wanted to know the average GP% in:-
- Dry clean business.
- Washing and Pressing.
- Pressing only.
I will appreciate if i can get these information ASAP. Thanks again.

18. Okpara, Emmanuel on 6/17/2009 1:02:27 PM

I would like to kick-start a drycleaning business; I think I have the necessary dry cleaning skills, managerial skill and good customer relationship prowess. I need to know the intricacies-in and out of the business so that I can make a good decision before venturing into the business. Thanks

19. adebisi atobatele on 6/19/2009 6:42:51 AM

i really have a strong desire for drycleaning and laundry business, but i need the required training. Can you be of help? thanks

20. SHOLA AYOOLA on 6/19/2009 11:08:18 AM

THIS SITE IS VERY EDUCATIVE, I AM INTERESTED IN DRYCLEANING AND LAUNDRY BUSINESS. WHAT ARE THE NECESSARY START UP EQUIPMENT THAT I MUST HAVE, AND HOW CAN I SOURCE THIS MACHINES. THANKS

21. Adedayo Aderemi on 6/22/2009 11:28:25 AM

I am seriously interested in dry cleaning and laundry business. What are the type of machines and the cost for an initial start up. thanks

22. akin akinfe on 6/25/2009 7:08:35 AM

I am planning on opening a corporate service drycleaning and laundry business. what items are necessary to purchase and what unique ideas can i use to pull customers to my outfit. thanks

23. njokuoma kelechi o on 7/14/2009 6:59:21 AM

please, need help on how to go about writing a proposal for dry cleaning and laundry business.

24. Ndidi on 7/23/2009 1:36:00 PM

I need to know the basic equipments needed to set up a small laundry and dry cleaning business with a potential for growth in the future

25. Adetola Olive-Adelodun on 8/3/2009 1:34:39 PM

I am planning on establishing a Laundry and dry cleaning business. Can you furnish me with procedure for writing a comprehensive business proposal.

26. ViMakadi on 8/18/2009 10:32:54 AM

hi, i love laundry business but I don't know how to start. i am planing of buying machines but i need to know all it takes like which cloth should be wash or not, which type of detergent should be used and information that will help me. thank you, i am looking forward to hear from you. thank u once again

27. Babatunde Fanawopo on 8/29/2009 2:06:45 PM

Thanks, a great deal for the information. I have just thought out an idea of establishing a laundry with a corporate approach in mind, but my problem is that I do not really know other equipment needed aside the washing machine, dryers, industrial irons and delivery van. Please help me out. Thanks

28. Alphonsene Williams on 8/30/2009 11:51:07 AM

What I've read so far is very informative however I need more info. Info that provides the actual machines, their cost, the type of chemical that's needed and tutorial advise as how to actually perform the dry cleaning aspect of the business. Step by step assistance and guidance. I'm very interested in setting up my own dry cleaning business. Your expertise will be greatly appreciated.

29. oluwarotimi akindele on 9/1/2009 5:42:47 PM

please if there is anything any body can do to help me to start my own dry cleaning business.

30. KESHINRO OLUWASEGUN AKINDAYOMI on 9/2/2009 12:23:37 PM

i would really like to know and have an update on how to build my own dry cleaning services and also how to get and maintain machineries, equipments and chemicals

31. narender kumar on 9/4/2009 2:21:54 AM

hi. i really want to open my laundry and dry cleaning business, so please can you provide me the information about the basic equipments needed to set up a small laundry and dry cleaning business and i need the information about the license and permit, how can i get the licenses

32. ADEWALE ADEMOLA JUSTUS on 9/10/2009 2:24:12 PM

Thanks for your enlightenment. Please, I would love to have a detailed list of the basic EQUIPMENTS AND MACHINERY required to start a medium scale laundry/dry cleaning business. Moreso, kindly avail me the basic CHEMICALS required for the same scope of business.

33. JOHN ORIDUPA on 9/10/2009 2:26:32 PM

How also can we source the equipments and chemicals?

34. segun olaleye on 9/24/2009 2:46:30 PM

i need all that need to be known all laundry and dry cleaning...

35. 2SHÉ on 9/28/2009 3:00:01 PM

I must confess, you guys are the bomb. you blow up the ppl's hardest failing mind. what ur fascinating & mind boosta e-journals. i'll like to know the machinery, equipment, chemicals & oda washing tips to start a dry cleaning service. i await your response

36. Nnamdi Offiah on 10/14/2009 7:10:51 PM

Kudos for the information & enlightenment. You're a source of inspiration. Please, i need information on setting up a medium scale laundry & dry cleaning business. I'll need the equipments, chemicals & other valuable tips. THANKS.

37. HENRY EGBUIKWEM on 10/17/2009 2:27:09 PM

THANKS A LOT FOR THIS COMPREHENSIVE MASSAGE. I AM INTERESTED IN SETTING UP A DRY CLEANING BUSINESS. PLEASE GIVE ME DETAIL OF THE NEEDED STARTER'S EQUIPMENT AND WHERE I CAN GET THEM IN LAGOS NIGERIA. I NEED MORE TIPS AS WELL. YOUR URGENT RESPONSE WILL BE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

38. Abegunde, M.O. on 11/19/2009 8:57:10 AM

Am based in Lagos Nigeria and i need information that will help me start this business @ a relatively large scale. I want to know the equipments i need, how much they will cost and how to get them to Lagos or do you know any where i can get this equipments to buy in Nigeria. how much space do i need. please generally explain to me what i need to do.

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38 Responses to "How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business".

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