Laundry services popularly called dry-cleaning business is a very lucrative business in Nigeria.
The dry-cleaning business is about washing, drying, and ironing clothes and materials for individuals or companies.
Due to the high responsibility rate, laundry service has been in high demand.
We all wear clothes, and due to busy schedules, we sometimes need the laundry service to reduce our chores.
Therefore, starting a laundry business that will be profitable is a good idea.
In this article, you will learn how to start a laundry business in Nigeria from scratch.
Before we dive in, let’s start by explaining the meaning of laundry and dry cleaning services.
What Are Laundry And Dry Cleaning Services?
Laundry services mean washing, drying, starching, and ironing clothes with detergents, water, and other cleaning agents for a fee.
You might need some other equipment depending on the type of laundry service you want to start up.
Equipment like iron, washing machine, pressing table, drying rack, waste bin, bench/chair, extension sockets, hanger, pegs, buckets generator, etc is mostly required.
Reasons You Should Start A Laundry Business
Below are some of the reasons you should consider opening a laundry business;
- You can start with no money. With this option, you can start washing and drying clothes at home with the appliances you have without spending much.
- There are always customers to patronize your business because many want to source ways to reduce their personal chores.
- If you decide to start a functioning laundromat, the cost of starting up is not much.
- It is very profitable because you get to spend little but gain more despite the long process.
- You will get to be the boss of your own business. You decide the pace you want your business to go.
- It can be a side hustle for you while you have a business or a job to go with.
How To Start A Laundry Business In Nigeria
Just like any other business, there are very important steps that are required to make it successful.
Below are some steps that should be taken while starting up a laundry business;
Choose A Location
The first step in starting a laundry business is to choose a good location.
A good location should be in an environment where they are lots of houses and individuals around.
Location determines the number of potential customers you will get. Therefore, your laundry shop should be located where your target clients live.
Make Research
This is one of the most important steps to take when you are starting a laundry business.
You need to know the amount other laundry shops around your location charge for their services, how customers’ goods are delivered or picked, and how satisfactory their services are.
The strength and weaknesses of these others businesses should also be looked into in other to know where to improve.
Check out where you can get materials and equipment more cheaper. In general, find ways to beat your potential competitors.
Register Your Company
Another step is to register your laundry business with a befitting name that makes the company stand out.
To show that your business is serious, you need to register the company with the corporate affairs commission (CAC).
With this registration, you can easily practice your laundry business with confidence.
Purchase Equipment Needed
The next step is purchasing the equipment that you will need to start the laundry business.
The number of equipment you buy depends on the scale of business you want to start.
If you cannot buy a washing machine, you can decide to wash the client’s clothes with your hand while you save money to buy one.
You can buy cheaper equipment like pressing iron, buckets, washing agents, and other necessary things.
Market Your Business
Now that everything is ready and all is set up, you now need to get your business out there.
You can start by putting up a signpost in a strategic place in your area to let people know what you do.
Use social media to advertise your business and also offer discounts to new customers from time to time this will attract customers.
Print flyers and share them in your neighborhood, tell people what you do in social gatherings, offer free deliveries, and also reduce your price to attract more customers.
Conclusion
Laundry business like every other business requires steps and plans to make it a success.
It is very lucrative when you follow the right business plan. The dry cleaning business has come to stay because it is now a safe haven for individuals with time-consuming commitments.
The steps above might seem very simple and small but with great commitment and dedication, you will get to expand.
Do the necessary feasibility study and get your business out there.
