Home and personal services

Laundry and ironing service

Wash, dry, fold and iron clothes for busy households, students and small businesses, priced by the kilogram or the bag.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Organised people with a washing machine, space to dry and iron, and backup for power and water cuts.

In South Africa: Strong in townships, towns and near campuses.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 6 hours a week · age 18+
  • Practical/hands-on work (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R35 to R45 per kg

Published laundry prices: R35 a kg (The Laundry Factory) and R37.50 a kg (The Launderers). Volumes are not published.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R500 to R8 000
Every month
Washing powder, electricity, water, bags and labels.
Payment fees
Cash, EFT that has reflected, or a card machine. Take a deposit for big jobs.
Margin
Electricity and water are the main costs: count them.

How it is paid: Price per kilogram or per bag. Our viability score for it: 58 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Work out your cost per kilogram (power, water, powder)
    • Do three neighbours' washing at your price
    • Success signal: 10 regular weekly customers

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Cost a 5 kg load
    • Set a price per kilogram and a collection day
    • Buy a scale, bags and labels

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Run your first collection round
    • Keep a bag register: name, kilograms, date, paid

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Approach a guesthouse or salon
    • Decide whether a second machine would pay

Neighbours can start the first week. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Laundry and ironing service: from your first bag to a weekly client list

23 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Working families, students, guesthouses and salons.

Clean clothes without the owner's time.

Is there demand?

Laundries publish wash, dry and fold prices of R35 a kg (The Laundry Factory, 5 kg minimum) and R37.50 a kg (The Launderers).

Collection in your streetStudent residencesGuesthouses and salons (towels)

Getting customers

A price per kilogram on WhatsApp status and a fixed collection day.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesPartnerships with other businesses

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Lost or damaged clothes: count and label every bag
  • Power and water cuts delay orders
  • Colour runs: sort carefully

Competition: Moderate.

Room to grow: Grows with a second machine and business clients.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start laundry and ironing service in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R500 to R8 000. Recurring costs: Washing powder, electricity, water, bags and labels.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. Neighbours can start the first week.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (4)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy