How to start a dry cleaning business

Posted by Jude on Tuesday September 6, 2011 10:36:1:

It is about clothes and cleaning them. It is about offering laundry service to people. It is a neat job and what you really need for a start is an office.

Nowadays more and more businesses are springing up in Nigeria, particularly in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Onitsha and Rivers. People are opening new businesses but Dry cleaning business is one that has remained for a long time and is still profitable.

If you want to start a dry cleaning service, there are several options you can take to , such as:
- Doing pickups and drop offs for clients
- Allowing clients to do drop offs and pick ups themselves

You may also:
- Allow clients to pay for using dry cleaning machines on a subscription or pay as you go basis

Another option is in terms of mechanization. Using machines in Nigeria is a welcome idea but it also requires constant electricity which may be eating into your resources or require more capital and for a start-up, you can decide to:

- Use manual washing methods or
- Machine washing method if you can afford and maintain it

For start up businesses, I wouldn't advice that you just buy the machines and especially invest a lot of capital like on generators and a permanent office since you are still learning and those assets may cost you much.

What would you need to get started?
Basically, a good dry cleaning business should have:
- An office for receiving clients
- A washing machine
- A pressing stand and iron
- Hangers and Nylons
- Staff (1 or 2 persons)
- Service rates publicly displayed

Getting customers to your business
Once you've officially opened your dry cleaning business, the next thing you would need are loyal customers and the fastest way to get them is by advertising. You can do so by placing adverts in local newspapers in your area. You may also make use of banner,s post classified listings, tell your friends and family and other colleagues and encourage them to patronize your business.

How much will it cost?
You should do a price investigation on machines for washing and pressing, air conditioning system and generator if needed. You don't necessarily have to start with all these equipment if you lack the capital but you do need at least a pressing and packaging platform
About N500,000 to N3,000,000 would be ok for a start.

Incorporate your business
As a dry cleaning service, carrying on a legitimate business, one easy way to protect your brand, enjoy patronage and insure your business for the long term is by incorporating it into a company. It costs about $200 to register a company in Nigeria and may be completed in 1 month. You don't really need to incorporate it when you are just starting but you can do it along the way if you are sure of making profitable returns in the long term