Starting a laundry business from scratch is one of the most practical and scalable business ideas in India today. With urbanization, rising hygiene awareness, and busy lifestyles, laundry services are in growing demand. The best part? You can start small, scale fast, and keep full ownership of your brand.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to build a profitable laundry business from the ground up, even if you have no prior experience.
Step 1: Understand the Market Demand
Before investing, study your local market:
- Are there existing laundry services?
- What services do they offer (dry clean, wash & fold, ironing, pickup & delivery)?
- What are their prices and turnaround times?
- Which neighborhoods or groups are underserved?
Pro Tip: PGs, student hostels, residential societies, and working-class apartments are ideal customer clusters.
Step 2: Define Your Services
Start with core services, such as:
- Wash and fold
- Steam press
- Dry cleaning (can be outsourced initially)
- Pickup and delivery
Add-ons like express delivery, stain removal, and subscription models can help increase revenue over time.
Step 3: Set a Budget and Investment Plan
Initial investment includes:
- Washing machine & dryer (commercial or semi-commercial)
- Ironing equipment
- Packaging materials
- Rented space (optional)
- Staff salaries (if any)
- Branding & marketing
Startup cost ranges between ₹8 to ₹18 lakh, depending on the scale and equipment quality.
Step 4: Choose a Location
If you’re starting small, you can operate from home or a garage. For walk-ins and visibility, choose a rented space in a residential area with good foot traffic or delivery accessibility.
Step 5: Build Your Brand
You don’t need a franchise to build a recognizable brand.
- Pick a short, memorable name
- Design a clean logo
- Use uniform packaging (e.g., branded covers or bags)
- Create a Google Business profile and Instagram page
Your presentation and customer trust matter more than a fancy brand name.
Step 6: Develop Operations and SOPs
Having clear workflows improves quality and helps you scale:
- Tagging and tracking clothes
- Sorting and pre-treatment
- Drying and steam pressing
- Final quality check and packaging
- Delivery routine (scheduled or on-demand)
Use simple tools like Excel or free POS systems to stay organized.
Step 7: Market Your Services
Even with a tight budget, you can attract local customers:
- Distribute flyers or offer discounts in nearby apartments
- Run Google and WhatsApp ads
- Partner with hostels or PGs
- Offer a first-order discount or referral bonuses
Loyalty cards and consistent service quality will help retain clients.
Step 8: Track Profits and Scale Smart
Start with a daily tracking sheet:
- Number of orders
- Avg. revenue per order
- Expenses (detergent, salaries, rent)
Once you’re consistent, consider:
- Hiring more staff
- Adding more pickup zones
- Upgrading equipment
Bonus: Use Ready-Made Business Resources
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Resources like the Laundry Business Blueprint by FILENEST give you:
- Business plan templates
- Pricing calculators
- SOP documents
- Branding assets
These help you save time, avoid mistakes, and grow faster.
Final Thoughts
A laundry business can be highly profitable if run with focus, consistency, and smart marketing. Start lean, stay consistent, and scale when ready. And remember: ownership beats franchise dependency.
Get started with the Laundry Business Blueprint from FILENEST — your shortcut to launching a professional laundry business.