Happy Washing – AniClean Laundromat

By Utkarsh Grover on February 28, 2015 11 Comments / 3840 views

Hi All,

My dear dad is into the business of running 3 laundromats in Delhi NCR (2) and Gurgaon (1). The brand is called AniClean – Let the clothes breathe, you can also visit the website here

The business is 2 years old and is primarily run by my dad and his business partner.

Very lately, I have developed keen interest in making this idea big. Laundry, as I see is something on which somebody would not want to invest their time in. Hence it is one of those daily chores which you would outsource. Primarily, this is outsourced to housemaids who are no experts to handle your clothes. That’s the space where we fit in.

After studying more about this industry, its evident that the washing sector is largely unorganized. Traditional dhobi walas are using good old method of hitting the clothes on a stone using cheap detergents and a lot of water to wash clothes.

Our store currently provides wash+fold, wash+fold+steam iron, and dry cleaning services. Our next target is to go big on the pick and delivery model and we are working on it aggressively. Having said that, we are focusing on the pain areas of our customers like delivery of ironed clothes in the perfect way, quality packaging, ease to drop off the clothes.

Seek your inputs on the below and welcome your comments and suggestions

1. The first word that comes to your mind when u see your dirty laundry?

2. Does the idea of pricing basis per kg easy to understand?

3. What would you choose Convenience or Price?

Thanks

Utkarsh Grover

Comments

Utkarsh Grover

11 Comments

Yatin Mulay March 4, 2015, 7:56 am

3. What would you choose Convenience or Price?

Why would as a customer i’d choose between the two when my local laundrywala gives me both Already!

Are you trying to create a pain point which is non-existent?
Utkarsh Grover March 4, 2015, 9:24 am

Hi Yatin,

Thanks for replying.

There are very few dhobis who provide wash facility and the quality of their wash is not very promising.

Not trying to create a pain point here, but this is more for customers who look for good quality wash with on demand convenience.
Kaizad Patel March 5, 2015, 5:27 am

Hi Utkarsh,

I am very picky about my laundry provider and have had to change providers as they could not deliver on standards or reliability on time.

I currently use different providers one for my sensitive suits, hand wash and special handling clothes, one for linen and one for my regular clothes. We drop them off to the laundry and then it is delivered to my residence. I am used to the method of paying by KG. Do check out this company which I use in Manila – https://suds.com.ph/

I was told by a friend who is in this business that in the Philippines at-least the one who opens a laundry also usually opens a water purification business as they used purified water for the washing of clothes for additional cleanliness. I do notice a lot of laundries and purified water suppliers side by side so there must be some merit in this.

For me the connivence of having someone do the laundry and deliver it is a boon.

I have not had a washing machine in my apartment since over 5 years.

All the best!

Kaiz
asha chaudhry March 5, 2015, 7:40 am

wow! what an interesting insight kaizad!

utkarsh – i think you should really tie up with homestays and guesthouses.

there is a homestay boom in india (finally) – and while most homestays get a lot of things right, not many help you with your laundry!

another area you should tap is playschools/daycare places. little kids dirty clothes by the kilos and they need to be washed & dried immediately.

coming to your q’s

– dirty laundry: unacceptable

– kg works perfectly!!!

– convenience
Utkarsh Grover March 6, 2015, 1:48 am

Hi Kaizad,

Thanks a lot for sharing your insights.

The idea of having a water purification plant is worth thinking. Will take this piece of advise with thanks

Regards

Utkarsh
hariharan March 6, 2015, 6:15 am

Hi utkarsh,

Comments.

1) Again!!!!

2) Yes it is.

3) Convenience.

All the best.

Hari
Varun Miglani March 7, 2015, 10:37 am

What exactly u mean by price per kg basis cos a 50000 priced dress cannot be equated with 500 rs shirt. May be per kg basis price can be used on wholesale point or for bulk quantity i.e bedsheet, pillow cover for corporate.
Utkarsh Grover March 7, 2015, 12:00 pm

Hi Asha,

Thanks for your inputs and feedback.

Playschools and daycare would a superb addition
Utkarsh Grover March 7, 2015, 12:02 pm

Hi Varun,

A 50,000 priced dress would need special care, and we have Dry Cleaning services as well to cater clothes that need extra care

Yes, agreed per kg basis is for clothes that are used frequently
Rahul Ramchandani March 7, 2015, 4:53 pm

1) The first word that comes to your mind when u see your dirty laundry? – Yuck

2. Does the idea of pricing basis per kg easy to understand? – Yes pretty easy

3. What would you choose Convenience or Price? – Actually my housemaid gives me both but then I’m all for Ironing and for that il choose convenience!
asha chaudhry December 27, 2015, 5:04 pm

hey utkarsh,

how’s it goin? do update us!!