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

Loubylou2

Good Luck Lizzie.
I also offer 20% discount for the first order. I only got one customer initially from the first leaflet drop then gradually built from then. Most are from the free Yell add. I did pay for a more expensive ad in the first two months but that bought nobody as all my new customers came after that. Be warned they will ring you soon to sell one to you and make it sound as if it will be worth your while.
I would recommend you stick to the free ad unless there are hundreds of ironers in your area that you have to compete with.

Hookaduck

Hi,

Could a experienced ironer please tell me how long it takes to do roughly 2 double valances one box pleat, 2 double duvets. 3 flat sheets, 3 fitted sheets please.

Many thanks.

Stephb1986_2

We have a recommend a friend scheme as we charge £12.50 for 20 mixed items we give the recommender £2.50 off their next order. What ever you do don't pay for a yell advert we spent over £1000 on a advert and never got one extra customer most of our work is by word of mouth. Yell are now trying to claim that now the free one liners are no longer free and are £5 we had this call about a fortnight ago we told them to run and jump as we're doing ok at the moment.

We are still getting out and about in the snow saying that I have a 4x4 and we also have a Citroen Relay van. I was still out in the bad snow in January this year. If you are unable to collect or deliver you can always ask your customers to come to you instead as long as you don't mind them coming to your home we don't really like it as it feels like it's our privacy.

Hookaduck I hope no one has sent all that for you to iron is a bit of a micky take. It could take up to around 2 hours I suppose we no longer do bedding as it is time consuming and it can put your shoulder out.

Steph xx

Loubylou2

Steph is so right.
Last week I had a new customer with loads of clothes, plus 4 king duvet sets (incl p/cases and fitted sheets) an additional 3 fitted double sheets plus two valance sheets with box pleats.
It drove me mad! Even when I finally mastered the valance sheets they were a nightmare to fold. I nearly shreded them all and dumped them back on her doorstep:rotfl:

Stephb1986_2

Louby I would of love, either that or charged her accordingly. She would of known I wasn't chuffed either.

I had to tell a customer this evening when I went to collect. If your weak stomached then please go to the loo now or have a bucket whilst you read this.

We do this customer every week a standard 20 item order, I was about half way through it and was on the mens shirts I pulled the sleeve into place touched the cuff and felt something so I looked and he had wiped his nose on it, it hadn't been washed :-o So I put it back in the bag and didn't iron the rest of it, there was a few other items that weren't washed either you can tell can't you?

So we delivered it back as normal my dad did it so didn't know to mention it to them, it's an old couple but it's their daughters ironing.

So I went to collect tonight and they asked why there was items unironed so I told them that their son in law had wiped his nose on his shirt thats why now I'm full of a cold even though I washed my hand straight after it. I also told them that we find it disgusting and although we're in the service industry we do deserve to be treated with a certain amount of respect and that if any of the items were unwashed this week I will be returning the whole lot unironed and charging them for it. They totally agreed with me and said their granddaughter must of done it because she's a busy girl doing this that and the other like its a good excuse to send dirty clothing. Me myself couldn't put on dirty clothes it's beyond me, I'm a very particular person to be honest. The old guy tried to make a joke of it and I said that if any of it is dirty I will include my dirty tissues in their ironing bag on delivery and laughed but I think they know that we're not happy. The week before their daughters dog bit my mum and drew blood, it's never ending with them if they carry on we will no longer collect their ironing. I was really reasonable about it but there is only a certain amount you can take but dirty clothing is just disgusting.

Steph xx

Greener_Cleaner_dry_clean

Hi everyone,



My name is Kris Anderson and I have a dry cleaner in Australia. If you are serious about starting a successful ironing business you should join a "dry cleaning marketing group". Try Googleing "dry cleaning marketing" and see if you can find Greg Colosi. I'm in his marketing group, helped me a lot.

Got any questions be happy to help.

Kris

kats53

Hi everyone
Hope everyone has had a good christmas and new year.
I was wondering what brand of Ironing board you all use. I need a new one and would love to get the big Brabantia one but really can't afford it at the moment. If anyone has one they think is nearly as good I'd love to know what kind it is.
Thanks Jen x

speedwaycat

I am thinking of setting up my own ironing business. I have researched the area and think there could be a hole for this sort of thing in my area. Obviously I will need the time, space, iron/ironing board and some advertising but is there anything else I would need/should have? I noticed insurance has been mentioned, what kind of insurance do you need? Is this as lucrative as it appears to be...? I am currently a working mum of 2, and spend most of my life clock watching. It would be nice to fit work around the kids, rather than the other way round if I can. Thanks!

Loubylou2

Hi everyone. Happy new year!

Kats I have a large Minky ironing board. Its the one I aready had. I like the fact it has a large ironing surface although its trickier doing childrens items as the end is quite wide.

A few questions.
Does anyone know how much accurately or roughly per hour it is to run a steam generator iron. I know it will vary with suppliers but sometimes I wonder just how much I am making (thinking its not that much)

Do you use an ironing sleeve board. I've never had one. I do shirt sleeves flat and can iron certain items without creases. But was wondering what others do?

How long does it take you to iron shirts? I think am just too slow. I feel like i'm at the board for hours. Any tips to speed up would be appreciated. This is my second job.

Many thanks all.
LLX

squsi

hello everyone, i wish a very prosperious year to all of you.
if anyone needs ironing helping hand or housekeeping / domestic cleaning service please let me know. we can cover melbourn, meldreth, shepreth, royston, fowlmere.
also want to thank you for all advices, its been very helpfull. i have everything set and ready to go!!
all the best:j