It is a given that with just 50,000 NGN, you can start a laundry service in Nigeria. The laundry business – popularly called the dry-cleaning business in Nigeria – is about washing, starching, drying and ironing clothing materials for individuals and companies. It is a very profitable low-risk business anyone can do. You can start small and grow. You can do it as a part-time business or a full-time business. With a low budget, you can start a successful laundry business and grow. The good thing about the laundry business is you can start with no money! I mean, even if you don’t have a Kobo! You can start with home service. We will talk about that later and also look at how to set up your own laundry business.
Nigeria’s population is growing rapidly, and many people are getting busier with work and business so as to meet up with ever-increasing needs. An average working-class Nigerian works from morning to at least late in the evening. Some Nigerians work even on Saturdays and Sundays. Thus, they would definitely require a laundry service. Even on free days, there are almost always issues to attend to or grapple with. The tight schedule makes it very difficult to create enough time to do laundry.
Laundry service therefore comes in handy. Everyone loves to look good in clean, ironed and sparkling clothes. Everyone wants to be admired. The workplace and occasions are avenues to gain all the validation you need. Hence, looking good in well-washed and ironed clothes is a good place to start.
Benefits of Starting and Running a Laundry Service in Nigeria
There are mouthwatering benefits of starting and running a dry-cleaning business in Nigeria. This is because it affords you the opportunity to take calculated risks. Below are some of the benefits of starting and running a laundry business in Nigeria:
- You can start with little or no cash.
- Laundry service can be started from your backyard on a small scale.
- You can start small and grow in the business.
- In starting a laundry service, you become your own boss and preserve your time and energy for other things.
- It can serve as one of your streams of income. You can do this business together with a paying job.
- Laundry is very lucrative. You can make a fortune from this business.
- It is a very flexible business. You can go small-scale or large-scale any time.
Basic Equipment Needed to Start and Run a Laundry Business in Nigeria
According to makemoney.ng, the basic equipment you need in your laundry business are as follows:
1. Laundry detergent: Don’t just buy any detergent; buy the ones used by dry cleaners
2. Washing machines: There are different grades; look for the one you can afford that is durable and of high quality. You can visit the Mintyn marketplace for recommendations.
3. Washing Basins: You will need it to soak clothes and for other uses
4. Pressing Iron: A quality iron that has different settings for all types of fabrics.
5. Ironing table: Where you can comfortable iron clothes
6. Garment Conveyor: This is what you use to hang clothes. Get a carpenter to make one
7. Starch: A lot of customers will request for it to add beauty to their cloth
8. Water: You will need a source of water. If there is no water supply, you can buy a tank and store water
9. Power Generator: As electricity is not reliable, you will need a good generator that can power your equipment just in case there is a power outage.
10. Nylon and tags: You will need nylon to package the ironed cloths. You will also need tags to tag the clothes so you don’t mix things up
11. Shelves: You will need shelves to keep the ironed and packaged cloth in order.
There are other items you may need. These are the basics.
Steps to Starting and Running a Laundry Business in Nigeria
1. Capital
Capital is needed if you wish to run a dry cleaning business on a large scale. Rent, laundry equipment, and a delivery van are some of the fixed assets you will need, especially if you are operating large-scale laundry services. Remember, you will have to pay your employees and carry out maintenance on the machines plus contingencies which may arise.
2. Registration
Business registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission is on the rise as business owners are showing that they are serious. This is an important aspect, as it gives you confidence and grants you an operating licence.
3. Make thorough research
Doing thorough research is highly important in this type of business. You need to know the number of people running a dry-cleaning business in the area so you don’t add up to the already saturated area. The price existing laundries charge in the intended area. Do they provide satisfactory services? Do the people complain about their prices, late pickup or delivery? et cetera.
4. Location
This factor sometimes determines your volume of customers, provided you offer top-notch service. It is advisable to locate your laundry shop or collection centres in highly accessible areas, as dry cleaning businesses tend to grow faster in such areas. Your laundry shop or collection centres should be located where your targeted clients live or work.
5. Laundry equipment
If you are operating a large-scale laundry service, dry cleaning equipment is highly essential. This equipment makes work easier and faster such that you are able to serve more customers. It also helps to reduce the amount of labour needed.
6. Offer additional services
Apart from washing clothes, you can decide to offer additional services such as washing bed sheets, curtains, rug carpets and other household items to maximise your profit.
Marketing
Branding of your garment bags and delivery van with your company details boldly printed on it will go a long way. Use large banners, bold billboards and flyers to promote your brand. Another way of promoting your brand is by being time-conscious and providing excellent customer service. Train your employees to have good relationships with your clients. Good customer service leads to more referrals. There is a high probability that your clients will recommend you to their friends and family, thereby increasing your number of customers. In fact, you can make it possible for your clients to track their garments and even pay online.
How to Expand Client Database for Laundry Service
To expand your client database, you can offer to provide the following services:
1. Rush service: This is also known as same-day dry cleaning. As a same-day cleaner, you can provide emergency dry cleaning services for clients who are in a rush. Your clients will get their clothing that same day. To provide this service, you must have the necessary equipment, and its advantage is that it comes at an extra dry cleaning cost.
2. Speciality cleaning: This involves cleaning attires that require special laundry needs and professional touch, as some of these attires are sophisticated and delicate. An example is wedding dress cleaning (wedding gowns, suits, etc.). Materials such as leather, rugs and carpets also require special laundry needs. Clients who bring such materials also know that it comes at an extra dry cleaning cost.
3. Pick-up and delivery: this involves picking up and delivering clients’ clothing at their convenience. However, to avoid the excess cost of petrol, you may decide to choose a day with your clients for pickup and delivery.
4. Express Ironing: This means you are willing to iron clothes that have already being washed and also deliver within a very short time.
5. Experience/Training: The dry cleaning business is not a business you can just start without acquiring adequate knowledge about it. Although you can decide to employ an expert to work with you so you can learn from them because it is important to be a master of your trade.
Some Challenges to Bear in Mind
Not all stains can be removed; hence, inspect for heavily stained garments. Although such clothes are passed through strong stain removals, it is good to duly inform your clients if a 100% result is not guaranteed.
1. Damage to clothing occurs, and some clothes shrink.
2. Clothes get burnt or even go missing. Hence, proper care and record-keeping are essential.
3. Absence of sunlight during rainy season.
Conclusion
As a commercial laundry man or woman, you are expected to wash, starch and iron dirty clothes. One thing about the dry-cleaning business is that, like food, people must wash. People would definitely need their clothes neat and ready to wear. The dry cleaning business has made life a lot easier, especially for wives with demanding jobs and time-consuming commitments. Time has proven that even the rich engage in the dry-cleaning business, breaking its stereotype as a venture only for the poor. It is remarkable that now you can place orders online, and within minutes, your item will be picked up and conveniently delivered to you.
In fact, you can use clothing tracking systems to monitor how far your dry-cleaner has gone with your clothes. Giving your clothes to dry cleaners is no longer a luxury but a necessity because you would definitely need professional hands to do it for you. Handing your clothes to a family member or willing neighbour for washing and ironing might seem easy, but it’s essential not to overlook the professional touch offered by a skilled laundry person.
You can open an account with one of the digital banks – especially Mint Digital Bank – if you need to monitor your financial progress in the business and take charge of your financial destiny. The hectic nature of banking with traditional banks can be excruciating. A reliable digital bank helps you especially when the laundry business is one of your many vested interests. When hidden charges are eliminated and interests are embraced. Mintyn digital bank can help take your business to greater heights
