Wash-Dry-Fold laundry shop
Open a small laundry unit where busy people drop off bags and collect clean, folded clothes the next day.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
10,890 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.2% in a year
NAICS 812310 “Coin-operated laundries and drycleaners”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small rented unit with a few commercial washers and dryers and a folding table. Staff or you wash, dry and fold customers' laundry by the pound. You can add local pickup and delivery once things run smoothly.
Your first three steps
- Check prices of wash-and-fold services near you and decide your per-pound rate and minimum order
- Find a small unit with suitable water, drain and power hookups and get quotes on used commercial machines
- Sign up a few local hosts, salons or gyms for regular bag drop-offs and ask early customers for reviews
Who pays
Busy professionals, families, students, small Airbnb hosts and local businesses such as salons or gyms needing towels cleaned.
How it makes money
Price per pound with a minimum per order, plus extras like comforters, delicates and weekly subscription plans.
Skills that help
- Reliable and careful with other people's belongings
- Fabric care basics
- Scheduling and organizing orders
- Customer service
Watch out for
- Zoning and building permits for a laundry unit, check with your city or county, along with water and sewer requirements
- General liability insurance and cover for damaged or lost customer items
- Workers' compensation insurance once you hire
- Utility costs and equipment breakdowns can reduce margins, test your pricing carefully
- Label and track every bag to avoid mix-ups
- If you offer delivery, check vehicle insurance and any local business license rules
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: wash-dry-fold laundry shop
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a wash-dry-fold laundry shop?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your unit, the number of commercial machines and your insurance. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own setup.
How much can a wash-dry-fold business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your pricing and how many customers you serve. Utility costs and equipment breakdowns can reduce margins, so test your pricing carefully.
What rules should I check before opening a laundry shop?
Check zoning and building permits with your city or county, along with water and sewer requirements. Also check general liability insurance covering damaged or lost items, workers' compensation once you hire, and vehicle insurance and licensing if you offer delivery.
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