Is In-House Laundry Costing Your Business More Than You Think?
For small businesses in Solano County, laundry might seem like a simple task—but the real cost of washing, drying, and folding in-house adds up quickly. Many business owners don’t realize how much time, money, and resources are wasted on laundry when they could be focused on growing their business instead.
In this article, we’ll break down the hidden costs of doing laundry in-house and why switching to a professional pickup and delivery laundry service could actually save you money.
1️⃣ Labor Costs: Paying Employees to Do Laundry Instead of Their Job
How much time do you or your employees spend on laundry? If your staff is washing, drying, folding, and handling linens, that’s valuable paid work time spent on something that’s not bringing in revenue.
✅ Example of Labor Costs for In-House Laundry:
- Employee Hourly Wage: $20/hour
- Time Spent on Laundry Per Week: 6 hours
- Cost to Business Per Week: $120
- Annual Cost for Laundry Labor: $6,240
💡 Solution:
By outsourcing your laundry to a professional service like LAVE Wash, you can redirect that payroll expense toward growing your business while ensuring your linens, towels, and uniforms are handled professionally.
2️⃣ Utility Bills: Water, Energy & Maintenance Costs Add Up
Running washers and dryers daily or multiple times per week leads to higher water and electricity bills. If you operate a business that uses a large amount of linens, towels, or uniforms, your utility costs could be hundreds of dollars per month.
✅ Hidden Costs of Running Laundry Machines:
- Water & Sewer Bills – Commercial-sized loads use a significant amount of water.
- Electricity & Gas Costs – Dryers use high heat, leading to increased energy bills.
- Machine Maintenance & Repairs – Washers and dryers break down over time, costing hundreds or thousands in repairs.
💡 Solution:
With flat-rate laundry pricing from LAVE Wash, you eliminate the variable cost of utilities and repairs, making it easier to budget for laundry services.
3️⃣ Supply Costs: Detergents, Fabric Softeners & Replacements
Many businesses underestimate how much they spend on detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, and dryer sheets. When washing in bulk, these costs add up quickly.
✅ Estimated Laundry Supply Costs Per Year for a Small Business:
- Detergents & Softeners: $500+
- Bleach & Stain Removers: $300+
- Dryer Sheets & Other Products: $200+
- Linen & Uniform Replacements Due to Improper Washing: $1,000+
- Total Supply Costs: $2,000+ per year
💡 Solution:
With a professional laundry service, you no longer have to purchase detergents or replace linens early due to excessive wear and tear. LAVE Wash uses high-quality detergents that extend fabric life, saving you money in the long run.
4️⃣ Inconsistent Results: Worn-Out Towels, Stained Linens & Unprofessional Appearance
Your customers expect a clean, fresh experience, whether they’re visiting a spa, massage therapy office, preschool, or restaurant.
However, in-house laundry can lead to:
❌ Worn-out towels & linens from improper washing techniques
❌ Stains that don’t come out due to weak detergents or washing errors
❌ Overwashed or underwashed fabrics that feel rough, not fresh
💡 Solution:
A professional laundry service ensures consistent, high-quality results with proper washing, drying, and folding techniques—so your business always looks professional.
5️⃣ Hidden Stress: Managing Laundry Takes Time & Energy
As a business owner, laundry shouldn’t be one more thing on your to-do list. Handling pickups, washing schedules, stain removal, and linen storage takes up valuable time that could be used for:
✔ Growing your business
✔ Improving customer service
✔ Expanding your offerings
💡 Solution:
With LAVE Wash’s scheduled laundry pickup and delivery, your laundry is handled automatically—giving you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.
🚀 Why Outsourcing Laundry Is the Smarter Choice for Small Businesses
When you factor in labor costs, utilities, supplies, and lost time, doing laundry in-house can cost your business $10,000+ per year.
With LAVE Wash, you get:
✔ Flat, transparent pricing—no hidden fees
✔ Free pickup & delivery
✔ Professional, consistent quality
✔ More time to focus on your business
📍 Serving small businesses in Solano County, including Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo, Dixon, and Benicia.
💡 Want to see how much you could save? Schedule your first laundry pickup today!