Clean clothes are a daily need — whether for working professionals, students, or families. But not everyone has the time or setup to wash, dry, and iron clothes properly. That’s why the laundry business has become one of the most consistent and in-demand small businesses in urban and semi-urban areas.
If you’re looking for a steady income business that doesn’t require huge investment or professional qualifications, starting a laundry service in your area could be your best move.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to start a laundry business step by step — from setup and equipment to marketing and profit planning.
Why Start a Laundry Business?
Before we jump into details, let’s see why this business works so well in Pakistan and similar markets:
✅ Every household needs it: People wear clothes every day.
✅ Steady demand year-round: No off-season.
✅ Low investment, high profit: Start small and grow gradually.
✅ Flexible setup: Can start from home or a small rented shop.
✅ Scalable business: Add services like dry cleaning and ironing later.
You don’t need to be an expert — just reliable, organized, and customer-focused.
1. Understand Your Local Demand
Start by observing your area. Who are your potential customers?
👕 Target groups include:
- Office workers who wear formal clothes daily
- University students living in hostels
- Families with working parents
- Bachelor apartments or PGs
- Hotels, guest houses, or salons
💡 Tip: Visit a few nearby laundry shops (if any) and note their prices and services. It’ll help you decide your own business model and pricing.
2. Choose Your Business Type
There are two main ways to start a laundry business:
a) Home-Based Laundry
Perfect for beginners. You can start with a washing machine, detergent, and iron setup at home. Customers drop off and pick up their clothes.
Investment: Rs. 40,000 – 80,000
Profit Margin: 40–60%
b) Shop-Based Laundry
Requires a small shop or room, preferably near a market, hostel, or main road. You can hire one helper to manage washing and ironing.
Investment: Rs. 100,000 – 250,000
Profit Margin: 50–70%
💡 Tip: If you start from home, focus on quality and timely delivery to build trust. Later, you can shift to a shop when your customer base grows.
3. Calculate Your Initial Investment
Here’s a rough cost breakdown for starting a small laundry shop:
| Item | Estimated Cost (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Washing machine (automatic) | 40,000 – 70,000 |
| Dryer or spinner | 25,000 – 50,000 |
| Iron & ironing board | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Detergents, bleach, softeners | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Buckets, baskets, hangers | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Shop rent & deposit | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| Branding & signboard | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Total Estimate | Rs. 100,000 – 180,000 |
You can start smaller if you already have some equipment at home.
4. Select a Good Location
If you’re renting a shop, pick a spot that has consistent foot traffic.
The best locations are:
📍 Near hostels or PGs
📍 Close to offices or main roads
📍 Around residential apartments or colonies
📍 Beside barber shops or tailoring stores
Visibility matters. Put up a clean, readable signboard like “Fresh Wash Laundry” or “Quick Clean Services.”
5. Choose the Right Equipment and Materials
For efficient service, invest in energy-saving and durable machines.
🧺 You’ll need:
- Washing machine (top-load or front-load)
- Dryer or spinner
- Steam or dry iron
- Laundry baskets
- Folding table
- Detergent, stain remover, fabric softener
💡 Pro Tip: Use eco-friendly detergents — customers appreciate businesses that care about hygiene and environment.
6. Services You Can Offer
Start with basic washing and ironing. As your business grows, add more options.
| Service | Description | Price Range (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Wash & Fold | Regular washing and folding | 50–100 per kg |
| Wash & Iron | Includes ironing | 80–150 per kg |
| Dry Cleaning | For suits, coats, or expensive clothes | 250–500 per item |
| Ironing Only | For regular clothes | 20–50 per item |
| Blanket/Bed Cover Wash | Heavy items | 300–600 per item |
💡 Tip: Create simple packages (e.g., “10 shirts + 5 pants = Rs. 600”) to attract bulk customers.
7. Manage Operations Smartly
To keep your business smooth and organized:
✅ Assign tags or numbers to each order to avoid mix-ups.
✅ Keep separate bins for clean and dirty clothes.
✅ Use cloth bags instead of plastic ones.
✅ Deliver orders on time — reliability is your best advertisement.
💡 Bonus Tip: Maintain a register or notebook to track orders, dates, and payments.
8. Build Customer Trust
Customers will only return if their clothes are clean, fresh, and delivered safely.
👉 Always check for color bleeding or delicate fabric before washing.
👉 Communicate clearly about delivery time.
👉 Iron carefully — no stains or burns.
👉 Keep a pleasant fragrance (fabric softener) in washed clothes.
A single good experience can turn a walk-in customer into a regular one.
9. Marketing and Branding Tips
You don’t need heavy marketing for this business — local promotion works best.
📢 Here’s what to do:
- Distribute small flyers or brochures around your area.
- Offer a discount on first wash for new customers.
- Use WhatsApp Status and Facebook for local promotion.
- Print simple loyalty cards (e.g., “After 10 washes, 1 free”).
- Keep your shop clean and well-lit — appearance builds trust.
💡 Optional: Offer home pickup and delivery (use a motorbike or rickshaw helper). It adds convenience and extra income.
10. Legal & Safety Considerations
While laundry businesses don’t need heavy licensing, a few precautions help:
- Get a basic shop registration or municipal license if required in your area.
- Use proper wiring and avoid water near electrical points.
- Ensure good ventilation to dry clothes safely.
- Hire one reliable helper if workload increases.
💡 Tip: Use a CCTV camera for safety and to build customer confidence.
11. Expected Earnings & Profit Margin
Let’s estimate the potential income:
| Daily Orders | Avg. Charge | Daily Income | Monthly Profit (After Expenses) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 orders/day | Rs. 100 | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 25,000–35,000 |
| 25 orders/day | Rs. 120 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 50,000–70,000 |
| 40+ orders/day | Rs. 150 | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 90,000+ |
The key is consistency, cleanliness, and timely service.
As you gain regular customers, you can hire more staff and handle bulk laundry for hotels or hostels.
12. Expand Over Time
Once your laundry shop is stable, here are a few ways to grow:
- Add dry cleaning or shoe cleaning services
- Partner with salons or hotels for contracts
- Offer express same-day service at higher rates
- Launch “Pickup & Delivery” laundry app in your city
- Start a franchise or second branch
Small steps and consistent effort can turn a local laundry into a recognized neighborhood brand.
Final Thoughts
A laundry business might look simple, but it runs on trust, punctuality, and quality.
If you take care of customers’ clothes like your own, they’ll reward you with loyalty and referrals.
Start small — even from home — and reinvest profits to grow.
Within months, you can turn your setup into a profitable, sustainable business that serves your community daily.
