Start an ironing service... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

robdon801

hi there,
I have just set up a ironing business in south birmingham with thanks to the princess trust. I have all my equiptment, have started to deliver leaflets, advertised in some shops and advertised in some free ads online. However i would really like a good website and wondered if anyone knew of any free websites with free domains. Also just wanted to tell people about vista print who offer loads of freebies and all you pay is the packaging. I have had free business cards (500), leaflets, tshirts, pens,headed papaer and even free car door magnets designed with my business nane on. hope this helps any one!

mcvey123

Hi there
I have an ironing business in Northern Ireland and this is the time of year to make money.

If you are just setting up, you will have to price competitively and collect and deliver etc. People are not keen on ironing in this weather and are going on holiday and don't have the time etc. get them to recommend friends and get a half price basket, offer to iron their holiday suitcases etc..

For the first year we took on everyone's clothes, we had a ironing service banner outside our house and people called with their stuff all day and night.

then we reassessed it and decided how much we needed out of it and only took in regular (clean and easy) baskets for a regular income. Believe it or not, other peoples laundry can be smelly, dirty, dry and impossible iron, and a real nightmare.

WORD OF MOUTH IS BEST ADVERTISING, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME PUTTING ADS IN THE PAPER, ONCE YOU HAVE A FEW, PUT A COUPLE OF CARDS IN THEIR BASKETS AND GIVE THEM A DISCOUNT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, IT WORKS FOR SKY AND AOL, IT WILL WORK FOR YOU.

GO TO SEE YOUR LOCAL HIRE SHOPS, AND OFFER TO DO THEIR SHIRTS FOR THEM

ALWAYS DO IT IN YOUR OWN HOME, THIS WAY NO ONE KNOWS HOW LONG IT TAKES, OR STANDS OVER YOU. YOU CAN DO IT IN YOUR OWN TIME AND COMMAND YOUR OWN FEES!

WE HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR 3 YEARS NOW AND NEVER DROP BELOW £300 PER WEEK

picklepick

robdon801 wrote: »

hi there,
I have just set up a ironing business in south birmingham with thanks to the princess trust. I have all my equiptment, have started to deliver leaflets, advertised in some shops and advertised in some free ads online. However i would really like a good website and wondered if anyone knew of any free websites with free domains. Also just wanted to tell people about vista print who offer loads of freebies and all you pay is the packaging. I have had free business cards (500), leaflets, tshirts, pens,headed papaer and even free car door magnets designed with my business nane on. hope this helps any one!

ive just set up a free website ill pm you with the details!

nra02ejm

Hi,
This thread has gone very quiet again, maybe everyone but me is very busy ironing lol.
Iv set up my website, and taken out all the free advertising i can including an ad in the yellow pages which comes out again soon, I'v taken a few flyers around and have around 450 more to drop but so far have only had 2 enquiries one from way too far away (around 25 miles who delivers that far for an ironing service) and one who was very interested and did ring to apologise that she couldnt use the service as she had run it past her oh and he didnt think they could afford it at the min but she may get in touch in the future. Aside from that nothing at all. Does anyone have any other ideas to get some customers in, Im dropping more flyers tomorrow and trying to target areas where people may have the money to spare or be working shifts that find it hard to fit the chores in but im starting to get a little downhearted that im putting in loads of effort for no reason at the minute.
Sorry for waffling on just really really want to get this up and working and hopefully if it takes off enough make a proper part time business from it. Any ideas gratefully received and thank you in advance for any help anyone can give.

dayfive

halia wrote: »

anyone in the East yorkshire area up for cleaning/ironing to start in jan/feb?

hi, just started an ironing business in Beverley if you still need help let me know.

dayfive

hi, thanks for the great tips. Glad its such a hit for you! Can you tell us how you charge and what you charge (per item or per bag)?

icklejulez

Is there anyone in the Blackpool area who would be interested into going into business with me(Washing/Ironing/Cleaning? I currently dont drive altho i am applying for a business loan at present and have included the price of learning to drive in this. I will have around £500 of my own money towards setting up. I also have a garage to the rear of my property with private access of which i am considering doing up possibly with washing machines etc. There is already electricity to the garage. The reason i am looking for a business partner is I believe in myself most the time but sometimes need a bit of support as i fail to believe in myself. I also think it may be a lonely job and would be far better to work with someone. If anyone is interested please ge tin touch and we can have a chat. My MSN user id is julieannclews@hotmail.co.uk.

Maz

It's great reading all the success stories on here - well done everyone!

BUT! I started an ironing service with a friend a few months ago and so far, we've only had three enquiries that came to nowt! Is it just me or has anyone else not had much response?

Followed all the advice on here for putting up posters, cards in newsagents etc, don't really know what else to do. I'm in a traditionally low income area (Devon) so maybe peeps just don't have the money?

Is it worth trying again with new posters etc? I'd really love to get this up and running - any suggestions?

nra02ejm

I have been trying to get this up and running for a while. So far have had a few enquiries and my website is getting a good number of hits a week but so far it has all come to nothing. The new yellow pages has just come out with my ad in and going to try another flyer drop, just managed to bag a complete bargain on ebay and getting a brand new boxed steam generator iron delivered for £17.00 total so got to keep trying. I am moving shortly to a nicer area of the town where people may have a more expendable income (hopefully) so going to do a flyer drop round there before i move in see if i cant drum up some business from somewhere am starting to get downheartened though that im putting in so much effort and getting nothing out of it at all

cherrypie556

Hi all Im looking into doing something along these lines also. I already do my friends ironing weekly, £20 for a black bag full. Is this an okay price to charge people, do most people charge per item? Does everyone hang the clothes straight onto hangers and use plastic protective covering?

Im in the Teesside area if anyones interested.