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

icecreamdogpark

Anyone thinking of setting up ironing service and needs to buy a steam iron i have just bought a Tefal Pro Express Turbo and am so happy with it, the ironing pile is always empty.It`s super powerful and makes ironing creased demin and 100% cotton a doddle,Love it, seriously it would be easy work with this make and model so fast.It actually shocked me the amount of power and steam it has

missspeedy23

ag_1975 wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking about setting up a part time ironing business and got a couple of questions for anyone that would help.

Sounds silly, but how do you fold t-shirts if the customer doesn't want them on hangers? I usually fold them in half horizontally, then in half vertically (if you see what i mean), then fold the shirt sleeves underneath. Trouble is, I keep getting them creased around the shoulder area, is there a better way of folding?

I've heard that using foil underneath the ironing board cover reflects the heat back up making it quicker to iron. Is that right?

How much should I charge? I'm in Redditch (Sth Birmingham), I was thinking 50p kids items, 80p T-shirt, £1 shirt/trousers? Is this reasonable?

Does anyone on here have a website? I'd like to set a cheap one up...does anyone know if this actually builds business? Is flyers, advertising in local shops/papers, yellow pages any good?

That's it for now, but I'm sure I'll have more questions Thanks in advance.

Hi, I fold t-shirts like this - lay the t-shirt flat (front facing down) and imagine a line down the centre - fold one side to this line, then do the same with the other side so the two halves meet. Then I fold the sleeves back on themselves. I then fold the bottom halfway up and fold the top part over the bottom part, it's the least way of getting them creased. You-Tube is actually quite good and has videos on how to do it properly!

You can use tin foil or a metallic ironing board cover so whatever you prefer.

I charge by the weight but think people around me tend to charge 90p-£1 for adult items but on a sliding scale, so the more they send - the less they charge per item.

I have a website and it's where I get most of my customers from to be honest. I registered on Google Places and people type in "ironing service near x" and it brings me up. I created my website free at Wix.com. I have had some responses from Yell.com but only go with their free ads, don't pay them.

Good luck! x

ag_1975

missspeedy23 wrote: »

Hi, I fold t-shirts like this - lay the t-shirt flat (front facing down) and imagine a line down the centre - fold one side to this line, then do the same with the other side so the two halves meet. Then I fold the sleeves back on themselves. I then fold the bottom halfway up and fold the top part over the bottom part, it's the least way of getting them creased. You-Tube is actually quite good and has videos on how to do it properly!

You can use tin foil or a metallic ironing board cover so whatever you prefer.

I charge by the weight but think people around me tend to charge 90p-£1 for adult items but on a sliding scale, so the more they send - the less they charge per item.

I have a website and it's where I get most of my customers from to be honest. I registered on Google Places and people type in "ironing service near x" and it brings me up. I created my website free at Wix.com. I have had some responses from Yell.com but only go with their free ads, don't pay them.

Good luck! x

Thanks for that, really helps especially the folding tip.

Are most of your customers professionals that don't have the time to iron their own stuff or is it broader than that? I'll be doing a leaflet drop and I'm not totally sure where to target.

Just one more thing (for now haha), have you ever tried one of those vertical steam thingies that you brush over hanging clothes?

missspeedy23

ag_1975 wrote: »

Thanks for that, really helps especially the folding tip.

Are most of your customers professionals that don't have the time to iron their own stuff or is it broader than that? I'll be doing a leaflet drop and I'm not totally sure where to target.

Just one more thing (for now haha), have you ever tried one of those vertical steam thingies that you brush over hanging clothes?

The majority of my customers are professionals yes but my best customer is a retired couple! They have such busy social lives they don't have time, plus they always send loads of bedding which weighs a lot!

I did a leaflet drop and just targeted new housing estates, though to be honest I only got around 4 customers from it. The majority of mine have been via Google and a local free directory that goes to 14,000 houses in my post code area.

I haven't tried one of those vertical things and I'm not sure I'd want to to be honest, I like a nice iron and I don't think you'd get the same "ironed" finish using one.

ag_1975

Thanks again misspeedy, very helpful.

Mummy_Tink

Anybody looking for a house-keeper/cleaner/ironing lady/dog-walker in the Worksop area (have car, can travel within reason) let me know!

:A

Iloveironing

Hi All

Hope you are all keeping busy!

I have one customer who is very pleased with my service, but beyond that I am struggling to even get more enquiries. I have had one enquiry through a social networking site and it came to nothing.

On this particular site I have done ads with little promos and things hoping that would work. Other than this I have an ad in a friends cafe, one in a pre-school but I have not done a leaflet drop as from what I have read on here, they don't seem to be that successful.

Just wondering if you can share your experience?

also am considering making gift vouchers, have any of you done this?

Thanks so much

giggles_alot

Not sure if any one on here would be interested... I am selling a Fast Press, it is listed on ebay but if any one is in the Lincoln area and may be interested, please let me know and I can let you have details. Thanks

marthamonkey

I'm struggling to get customers. After a promising start things have gone completely dead.
I've had one customer who I did 10 shirts for twice and hasn't been in touch for a while, and another customer I did a big iron for twice.
Both seemed happy and came back the second time. I also had one who tried it once, but I think was making use of my 50% off first order offer.

I was wondering if my prices were too high, but I don't even think it is that as I'm not even getting interest from leaflets which make little mention of prices. So far I've delivered close to 1500 leaflets and only had these 3 responses!
I've also got a website (which I know has only had a few views in my town), ads in Thomson, gumtree, netmums and some other web directories. I'm on page 2 of Google when searching for ironing service in my town. I've had a poster and intranet ad put up at a large local employer and I've put some leaflets in at the gym, which is one of the few places that will have them. I've also just got a magnet for my car door this week.
I'm just running out of ideas on what else to do to drum up business. I'll continue with the leafleting - at least I'll get some exercise even if I don't get customers!

I'm all raring to go but feeling a bit dejected now as I think it is going to flop. Even a couple of customers would make me feel better. I've not even covered my costs yet.

Anyone got any ideas?

clairibel

To be honest i think its quiet everywhere, i work for a lady who runs a ironing company and my hours have dropped considerably over last couple of months and shes established 15 years.

People are just cutting back i think.