Launderette cleaning up with novel deliveries idea
A County Wexford launderette is going the extra miles to deliver a unique service to its customers and expand its business in the process.
Washworld and Emerald Dry Cleaners in New Ross have joined forces in their Cleaned4You business, which they launched a website for in midMarch. Owned by Pete and Deirdre Caulfield, Emerald Dry Cleaners has been in business for more than 50 years. Deirdre said they have developed a new website, designed by 2Cubed in New Ross, which enables customers to order their clothes to be cleaned. Deirdre said: ‘We will collect their clothes within a five mile radius, with no delivery charge, clean them and return them. The minimum spend is €15.’
She said they are reaching out to their customers. ‘It’s ideal if they can’t come to us. They have the option of either booki us on our website and we’ll go to their house collect the items, wash them and return them, or the customer can drop the items off here and we’ll wash or dry them and then deliver them back to their house.’
Services provided by Cleaned4You include tailoring, alterations, laundry, dry cleaning etc. They also cater for B&Bs and hotels.
The business was founed by Pete’s uncle, the late Mick Caulfield and his father Peter. It was passed on to Pete and Deirdre in 1983. Deirdre said the delivery service is unique among launderettes in the region. ‘ There is noone else doing this in the area; the closest one is in Dublin so we are completely unique in the region.’
She and Pete came up with the idea based on customer demand. ‘People are leading busy lives and they don’t have time to be washing and drying their clothes every day.’
They hope to take on an additional member of staff once the delivery business develops.