To ask for your idea on how to expand my business?

[AnitaAcer]

I run an ironing business from home, part-time and I love it. However, I now want to increase my hours so I can work full time. I would like to add some more services to my business but not sure what? I know of cleaning businesses that offer ironing, but could I be an ironing business that also offers cleaning? Or is that strange?

Basically, I want to add a few more strings to my bow, not just take on piles more ironing.

Any ideas much appreciated

I’d pay a premium for someone to launder my clothes as well as iron them.

What about they actually washing and drying of the clothes? Full laundry service? Repairs?

Oh and yes cleaning is a good idea. I’d love to have just one person doing my ironing, cleaning etc.

Do you think people would send their clothes to wash? Personally I would never send my knickers to wash

How much would you pay for a service like this?

@JudithGrimesHat I suppose if I started cleaning as well, then I could offer an in-home ironing service whilst I was there.

My friend has an ironing shop that also wash, dry & do alterations, she also picks up
& drops off.

My other friend has a cleaner that comes out, that does washing/ironing whilst there (she also walks her dogs)

Yes.. a full laundry service.
Maybe a steam cleaning service.
Stain removal is also good .
Are you any good at sewing? Maybe some simple alterations?
Do you have one of those large drum washers? That could do duvets, blankets etc...

Polishing, silver or brassware type stuff which can be taken in and returned alongside ironing.

Working in the city I know a whole heap of people that have dry cleaning as a chore (sometimes that their PA sorts) and a few companies that have this as a benefit as they know people want it. Dry cleaning is defo needed for suit wearers!

I’d pop in to a few local dry cleaners. They usually have a board with their services and prices on them. Ed shortening hems, cleaning curtains, maybe horse rugs.
I’d be careful of using harsh chemicals but you could easily brush and steam clean.

Thanks everyone, some great ideas to think about

@AnitaAcer

Do you think people would send their clothes to wash? Personally I would never send my knickers to wash

How much would you pay for a service like this?

Do people send you knickers to iron? How bizarre!

Self employed cleaner here... Most of my customers want an hour or 2 of ironing included in their hours...

Someone locally has started a bed changing service. They strip, wash, iron and remake the beds- brilliant!

These are fantastic, please keep them coming.

@AuntieDolly is this popular?

@Sunnydayshereatlast Two hours of ironing and how many hours of cleaning?

I agree with others, full laundry service if you can pick up and deliver.

Maybe other ‘concierge’ type services, like grocery shopping.

Pantry organisation is one I’ve seen crop up a few times, weirdly! People love the idea of those cute glass jars with labels on them instead of all that packaging. And also general de-cluttering/organising would be a good one I think. If oh somebody to file all my business receipts etc, I’m so bad at that.

Not ‘if oh’, ‘I’d pay’

Years ago when ex and I both wore smart shirts for work I used to take them to be laundered to the dry cleaners. This was before I had children and we were cash rich and time poor.

Could you offer Marie Kondo (excuse spelling) style folding and wardrobe organisation? The client should declutter and you put it back in pristine, colour coded sections by category. They might book it a few times a year if well-off.

I have a cleaner who does ironing too. If she did ad-hoc housekeeping services too I’d possibly marry her.

Things like cleaning kitchen cupboards, rotating clothes, changing beds, stuff like that.

Mending, can you sew? I am not sure I'm not alone in having piles of clothes that need buttons put back on etc that I just don't get round to doing.

@Merryoldgoat Those are some wonderful ideas! What else would be on your list of things you would like doing?

Question - What would you call a one-woman service that offered everything the.client would want? Cleaning, ironing, shopping, decluttering, dog walking, etc.