How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business 1-2-3
Start a Dry Cleaning Business:
Step by Step
With a good location and excellent service, a dry cleaning business can quickly build up a client base of
regular, repeat customers. Not only that, but dry cleaning services are fairly recession-proof, seeing that
many dry cleaned items are used for work, interviews and important events like weddings, graduations and
more.
Offering additional services such as dry cleaning delivery, alterations of clothing repairs can bring in
additional income. This can also give you a competitive advantage on other dry cleaning services in the area.
Having a convenient "one-stop shop" for customers can save them time and money.
Location is important for a dry cleaner. Customers want convenience, so look for high-traffic locations that
have adequate parking. Close proximity to other services such as restaurants or shopping is can also determine
the amount of customers you attract.
Dry Cleaning Regulations
The dry cleaning industry is affected by a number of major environmental regulations which you can find at
the EPA website. Different methods of dry cleaning require various kinds of equipment, and
if you choose to do your cleaning on-site, the method you use may be dictated by your store location. Keep
this in mind when shopping store sites.
Dry Cleaning Business Costs
Starting a dry cleaning business is not a cheap operation. Machinery alone can require about $150,000 for a
start up business, according to Jon Meijer, vice president of membership for the International Fabricare
Institute. That said, both the Small Business Administration and Dunn and Bradstreet conducted their own
studies and concluded that dry cleaners and laundries are among the top ten industries with the lowest failure
rates.
Business Alternatives
A lower cost business alternative is mobile dry cleaning or a dry cleaning delivery
service, where you contract with a dry cleaning company to pick up and deliver their customers' items.
You would need a van where you can hang clothing and deliver it, a cell phone and laundry bags (preferably with
your business logo) that you can leave with customers to use for their future orders.
There are also numerous opportunities in "green dry cleaning", where you use non-toxic
cleaning methods that do not involve the commonly used dry cleaning chemical perchloroethylene (PERC).
Dry Cleaning Equipment
When starting a dry cleaning business, you can buy new or used machinery or you can lease equipment. There
are resources online where you can find out about purchasing new or used equipment, including Washburn Machinery and Metropolitan Laundry Machinery Company. See also: List of Dry Cleaning Equipment Suppliers.
If you want to lease dry cleaning equpment, you can get multiple price quotes from several vendors with
online networks like Resource Nation. The service is free and lets you receive machinery pricing from
multiple companies at one.
You don't need experience working at a dry cleaning
shop prior to opening your own business. However, it's a good idea to be knowledgeable in the field. A
simple way to get this information is to talk to an expert in the dry cleaning business and get as much
advice as you can.
Scott Bateman has put together 
a complete dry cleaning business start-up
guide, including advice not only on store operation but delivery service as well. This is an easy way to
minimize your risk and maximize success in your own dry cleaning business.
See what you get >>
- Tips for choosing the best location and securing new customer accounts.
- How to put together a marketing plan, an advertising budget and attract new clients regularly.
- Which licenses and permits you'll need, plus bookkeeping advice.
- Store layout design tips, information on how to save money on supplies and equipment.
How to Start a Dry Cleaning Business 
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Dry Cleaning Business Resources:
Marketing Your Dry Cleaning Business
Get Free Publicity
Write a one-page press release to your local paper announcing the grand opening of your dry cleaning service.
How to Write and Distribute Press Releases
Advertise with Coupons
Who doesn't like saving money? Coupons can be a very effective way to bring attention to your dry cleaning
shop. Even when coupons are not redeemed, you receive exposure in newspapers, magazines, online or in
neighborhood coupon mailers. Get details: Advertise
with Coupons
Free Website
Builder
Create an online presence for your dry cleaning business and show off a professional visual display of your
products and services. This is a great way to attract local clientele - and your website can do much of the
"selling" for you. It's easier and cheaper than you think with a Free Website Builder.
Want people to find your website in the search engines? Get listed in 20 search engines for free or in
300 search engines for $4.
A growing number of shoppers search for local businesses online (instead of the traditional yellow pages) -
and you don't want to miss out on this market. Local Search
directories that are affordable and receive substantial traffic include: Google Local, Yelp and Super
Pages.
Dry Cleaning Business Associations
- Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute
DLI represents a voice for the dry cleaning industry, through legislative and regulatory policy
development, education, professional training, information, garment analysis, research and textile
testing.
- National Cleaners Association
NCA is an association to which people in the dry cleaning industry can turn for information, education and
training, support and representation at the local, state and national political levels.
How to Start a
Dry Cleaning Business