(THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE POST WITH LAUNDRY CARE, OUR FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY IS REALLY BORING, BUT YOU CAN FIND IT HERE.)
Earning extra income from home – as a mom – can be life changing
And… it can also be really difficult. (I can say this with some certainty, as a mom who works from home.)
Generally, the hardest thing for ME is that my work requires my undivided attention – writing, editing, creating images… all these things mean I need to be able to sit down at the computer for a few hours at a time.
So when do I work?
Honestly, I have nap times + after my husband gets home, and sometimes late into the night – I don’t sleep much. It’s stressful, and challenging, and it means we sacrifice a lot of family time for our second income. That’s just how it is. I do love my job, and I’m not complaining, but I can see how an online or telephone job might not be ideal for a single parent or someone who already has limited family time.
I saw this pin on pinterest the other day, proclaiming starting a laundry business from home for extra income, and I sort of did a double take. That’s one I hadn’t thought of before.
But the more I DID think about it… the better it sounded.
Put the wash on – even if the kids are awake – and then play with them while the machine does all the “work” for you. If the kids are STILL awake an hour later… well, I’d bet they’d be fine watching TV for 10 whole minutes while you hang delicates and the rest can go into the dryer. Fold for an hour before bed… and you’ve done your work for the day. WOW.
(I had a little doubt about how much money a person could earn doing laundry from home as a side hustle… and I’ll admit my jaw dropped when I found you can earn up to $2800/month!)
Starting a laundry buisness really does seem like a perfect work from home job for BUSY moms.
But I still had some questions (like… is it REALLY as easy as it sounds?) so Laundry Care, an organization that helps you set up your own laundry service and handles all of the paperwork – like billing clients for you, found a laundry service provider I could chat with to get the details.
Here’s my conversation with Betha, who has been a laundry service provider for a while now, and (spoiler alert) she earns between $400 and $700 PER WEEK.
How did you get start a laundry buisness as a work from home job? What made you decide this was the right fit for you?
How does this sort of side hustle fit into your everyday life? What has it allowed you to do? (I imagine it’s pretty flexible.)
Working for Laundry Care has given me the opportunity to help out with taking care of my grandchildren, I can arrange my laundry pick-ups and drop off around my morning schedule and be at home in the afternoon with the kids, if needed. They can be with me while I drive and continue to work. They also enjoy helping and pretending with the laundry.
Laundry Care allowed me to make some friendships with my clients. They have come to trust me and Laundry Care and many have given me access to their homes, apartment buildings, garages or whatever makes it easy for both of us. I cover a large area and I work with each client to set up a schedule that works for both of us. Reminding them the night before also allows me to cancel or add pick ups so that I also allow time at home to process the laundry.
Scheduling time off for vacation or sick time is all handled by myself and gives me the control of running a business.
What sort of income are you able to earn providing a laundry service?
I started off with 5 clients since I was replacing someone that resigned suddenly.
I have built up the business with the help of the Corporate Office and I now have several weekly, biweekly and “as needed” customers. I average between $400 – $700/ weekly. This also includes a few personal clients that I continue to service on my own. (I had been doing laundry for others in their home for a few years before starting with Laundry Care.)
Can you give us an idea of your expenses? Any tips for keeping them down?
Is there much risk involved in starting up your own laundry service? Most work from home businesses require at least some investment.
Lastly, are there any tips you could share for other moms out there considering starting a laundry service to earn some income from home?
If you’d like to start a laundry business from home, how do you do that?
Well, to be honest, anyone can just put up a sign and do laundry.
But, if you want to start a laundry business, but let someone else handle all the billing and marketing (the hardest things about having your own business) and offer constant support as you grow your side hustle, then you should know that getting started with Laundry Care is very affordable.
This way you have the freedom and flexibility to schedule around your daily life – but you also have a team of support so you’re not alone. Laundry Care takes care of clients questions before signing up for service, processing payments, and they assist if an issue should ever arise.
To get started as a Laundry Care Provider the first step is to submit an application via the Applicant Portal.
- At least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license and the ability to provide pick-up and delivery.
- Have a fully functioning washer & dryer.
- Understand instructions on care labels including symbols.
- Can fulfill ironing and air drying requests.
- Able to lift and carry up to 40lbs.
- Has not been convicted of a felony.
- Has a smartphone and access to reliable internet.
- Lives in an area they service or are interested in servicing.
- Once you’ve passed the Video Interview stage you are then sent a text notification to log back in and complete on-boarding. This consists of the following steps:
- Sign the Contract
- Submit a W9
- Purchase your supply kit (30$) – this includes 5 Laundry Care bags, 10 garment covers, and 10 bag tags – which is everything you need to start accepting clients (minus detergent of course)
- Complete the direct deposit form
- List a backup provider (typically a friend or family member in case you have an emergency)
- Input your availability
- Submit your Facebook email (this is so that you can be invited to our secret Provider Facebook group and connect with other Providers, plus receive announcements and tips from the Home Office)
This is actually super original, and an idea I’ve NEVER heard of before! I love it! Although I hate laundry, it DOES make me want to look into hiring somebody to do it for me! Never knew it was a thing, haha!
I am planning to open a laundry service from home. When you said you bought equipments for washing and drying, are these industrial equipments or can it be the normal domestic washing machine and ironing equipment?. And what about the detergents. Which ones are recommended ? Thanks for your advice
I love this! I am going to keep it in mind for when I actually have my own washer/dryer (we’re still in an apartment).
One of the biggest things I’ve noticed since starting my blog about motherhood and wellness is that I am on a screen soooooo much now. Never in front of my daughter, thank goodness, but I don’t love screens to begin with, and now they’re a big part of my life…
Hello! What an intriguing idea :). Do you know how many hours Betha works to make $400-700? Thanks!
I don’t!! I’m sorry – I should have asked her lol
Do you have to drive around and pick up people’s laundry?
There are probably some that do – but I’m sure there are alternative ways to do it too!
Carly the mommy…. down below in your bio what exactly do you mean by @on purpose “ ?? I understand the “being present” and that Is most definitely the most important thing in life is to be present in your kids lives ❤️🙏💜🌈🌺🌸☀️💕😊🥰
It is great to know that one can start laundry from home. Even a few extra bucks can be saved, or you can say earned by getting coin-operated laundry apartment building. It will help others and reduce the hustle in a busy schedule.