The Future of the $40 Billion Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Industry

A 2021 Market Report found the global dry cleaning and laundry industry is expected to grow from $93 billion in 2020 to $127 billion by 2025.

Over the years, the demand for cleaning and laundry services has recorded strong growth from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The increase in single-person households and the rapid pace of urbanization, along with strong growth in sectors such as healthcare and hospitality, have contributed to the rise in demand for laundry services.

Studies have shown that the majority of working adults report greater happiness when spending money on time-saving services rather than material things. For most of us, there is nothing more valuable than quality time. So as more people are outsourcing time-consuming yet necessary and routine tasks, the dry cleaning and laundry industry remains essential to every household.

In an increasingly digitized world, the use of smart phones and mobile apps allows consumers to access every modern convenience at their fingertips, at a moment’s notice. The laundry industry must adapt its capabilities and modernize its approach to meet consumers’ needs while staying on the cutting edge of innovation.

As the on-demand economy becomes larger, online services are opening the doors of opportunity within the laundry industry. Companies are stepping up their efforts to develop feature-rich laundry mobile apps. Apps help showcase services, reach customers in different sections of the community, eliminate location barriers, and provide customers an easy user interface to access services. Integration of in-app features such as real-time tracking, viewing service order status, and easy payment options help make these services more convenient to use.

Tide Cleaners has always been at the forefront of dry cleaning technology, and the brand now makes laundry services more convenient than ever, with pickup and delivery services, order tracking, access to faster checkout, and exclusive app-only offers via their smartphone app, and easy locker drop-off services in metro-area apartment complexes, college campuses, and retail locations.

The modern professional has a lessening need for constant dry cleaning, while the demand for laundry services will always remain high. Owing in some part to the shifting landscape of the workplace since the onset of the pandemic, professionals are working from home in many cases, or returning to far less formal offices.

For this reason, the modern dry cleaner offers MORE than just traditional dry cleaning. Tide Cleaners stays on top of consumer demand by providing wash and fold service, in addition to dry cleaning, for people who don’t have time or don’t wish to spend time doing their everyday laundry. A pickup and delivery service adds even more convenience to an essential function of modern life. While self-serve and fluff-and-fold laundering has always been a part of dry-cleaning, it will become more essential moving forward.

Aside from domestic consumer demand, many businesses will always need dry cleaning and laundry services, including hotels, hospitals, restaurants, salons, gyms, and more.

Particularly in the wake of a global pandemic, Tide Cleaners’ unique lockers, 24/7 kiosk, and pickup and delivery services keep us ahead of the curve to meet consumers’ dry-cleaning and laundry needs and provide franchise owners with the tools and flexibility to optimize their business.

It’s an exciting time for the laundry industry, as businesses with an eye on the future innovate and upgrade their systems and practices to be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

The best franchises will offer specialty cleaning that gives the company a chance to differentiate itself from the competition. Green and environmentally friendly cleaning is one potential specialty, which is driven by customer demand for eco-friendly practices. This trend is conscious of chemicals and resources used in cleaning, as well as the proper disposal of waste.

While changing regulations are a driving factor, businesses may further stand out from the competition by harnessing the appeal and smaller footprint of cleaner, greener practices. Innovators in dry-cleaning technology have developed effective, more cost-efficient alternatives that are safer for the environment.

As a pioneer in laundry and dry-cleaning services, Tide Cleaners uses GreenEarth® Cleaning solvent and earth-friendly technology at all locations. GreenEarth Cleaning is the world’s largest brand of environmentally friendly dry cleaning. The GreenEarth brand name refers to an exclusive green dry-cleaning process that replaces the petrochemical solvents traditionally used in dry cleaning with liquid silicone. Liquid silicone is an odorless, colorless solution that is an excellent carrier for detergents, has ideal properties for fabric care, and is better for the environment.

While the future may be uncertain, the laundry and dry-cleaning industry is in good hands with Tide Cleaners.

With an innovative dry-cleaning store design, Tide Cleaners appeals to a new generation of clientele across all demographics. By utilizing cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly, and modeling our locations to fit the needs and lifestyles of our communities, Tide Cleaners presents a winning opportunity for prospective franchise owners eager to partner with America’s most trusted name in laundry and dry cleaning.

To learn more about opening your own laundry and dry-cleaning business with Tide Cleaners, contact our franchising department.