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

giggles_alot

Hope everyone has had a busy week

The steam from constantly having the iron going is starting to cause us condensation problems/damp patches. The windows open just isn't cutting it. Does anyone use a de humidifier? If so can you recommend a make/model or suggest any to avoid.

Thanks

Little_White_Duck

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of settting up an ironing service to run alongside my full time job and part time degree!!!! I'm intending to run it from home. we are a non smoking household but I worry about the cooking smells in the house getting onto the clothes, anyone have any experience or advice in this area? How do you manage your time to make sure that you can do what you have said you will in the time you've said? Also, what about when you are on holiday? Still in the early stages of thinking but I'm hoping that this boost to our income will help us out. I've read a lot of the posts on this thread which are hugely helpful so thanks for that!

Katz

Hi, i have read this thread for over a year and have just decided to give it a go, bought myself a nice new generator iron and a new ironing board, so if anyone's looking in the Midlothian area i am available. Glad to get tips if anyone would like to suggest anything.

I have set up a facebook page, i am now advertising on gumtree and making a website later. Bit daunting but nothing lost if i dont try.

shortiemk

hi i have 8 yrs experience in ironing and cleaaning being working for same company since i was 15 so i know what im doing im in romford essex area anyone need anything doing around the areas i also do leaflet distrbution thanks x

goldenyears_2

I have been reading with great interest all the information and advice that people have given on starting your own Ironing business... So I have taken the "Bull by the Horn" so to speak and gone for it.. I have purchased an amazing Tefal steam genarator iron and all I could possibly need to set up a sleek and proff business...
I designed my flyers and adverts and am ready to go.

So if anybody reading this needs there Ironing done by a mature reliable lady in the areas of Cleveleys, Fleetwood, lancs please call me...

Prestige Ironing Service
07951 748897

tinibash

Hi

I am hoping to start an ironing service in the near future. I was just wondering how those who have had success carried out their research if any and the benefit this had in your success.

Thank you

woodyperez

My wife has just started an ironing service, and this thread which we both read from start to finish has given us lots of helpful hints and tips and we really would have not got it started without reading it.

We put our website live last Week http://www.fullsteamaheadbristol.co.uk/ but so far we have not got any customers.

We have also advertised online, but we decided to not do a leaflet drop door to door as people on here said it did not have much success.

If you have an ironing business how long did it take for you to get your first customer.

What did you find was the best way to get customers when you first started?

imho

woodyperez Your web page looks really good.
Have you tried advertising in your local paper ?
if you have children maybe get your wife to mention your service to other mums at school.
Put a card in your local shop.
Good luck.

gill37

woodyperez wrote: »

My wife has just started an ironing service, and this thread which we both read from start to finish has given us lots of helpful hints and tips and we really would have not got it started without reading it.

We put our website live last Week http://www.fullsteamaheadbristol.co.uk/ but so far we have not got any customers.

We have also advertised online, but we decided to not do a leaflet drop door to door as people on here said it did not have much success.

If you have an ironing business how long did it take for you to get your first customer.

What did you find was the best way to get customers when you first started?

Good luck with your new venture. I have to say it took me about 2-3 months before i got my first customer (via gumtree) but after that it just seemed to snowball and within a month i had 6 customers. As well as using gumtree, I advertise on facebook via a 'buying & selling' page for my local area. This page has been invaluable - I can 'bump' my post every day, people can leave messages which makes others take more interest in the service and so that creates more customers.

You website looks great. And your pricing structure is much better than mine - i charge by the bag and some customers really do cram as much as they can in.

I have put business cards in shops, at PO counters etc.

I would say about half my customers came from advertising and half from recommendations.

Keep us updated on how things go for you.

gill (ironing maiden east lothian):)

woodyperez

gill37 wrote: »

Good luck with your new venture. I have to say it took me about 2-3 months before i got my first customer (via gumtree) but after that it just seemed to snowball and within a month i had 6 customers. As well as using gumtree, I advertise on facebook via a 'buying & selling' page for my local area. This page has been invaluable - I can 'bump' my post every day, people can leave messages which makes others take more interest in the service and so that creates more customers.

You website looks great. And your pricing structure is much better than mine - i charge by the bag and some customers really do cram as much as they can in.

I have put business cards in shops, at PO counters etc.

I would say about half my customers came from advertising and half from recommendations.

Keep us updated on how things go for you.

gill (ironing maiden east lothian):)

Thanks for the reply Gill I will mention Facebook to my wife, not heard of the 'buying & selling' pages before but sounds like a good place to try.

In the first week we have got two customers, with the first customers ironing collected and returned today.

Onwards and upwards, We will keep you update on our progress on this thread if anyone is interested.

Also interested to hear other peoples experiences it is all very exciting at the moment