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Original poster

Does anyone pay to get their ironing done?

124 replies

Dalrymps · 07/05/2009 15:09

I'm thinking of providing an ironing service in my local area to earn a bit of extra cash. Just wondered if anyone uses a service like this and if so, what the charges are etc

I have done a little research and was thinking of something like this:

Medium bag/basket £12
Large bag/basket £20
Single duvet cover and pillows £2
Double duvet cover and pillows £3
Kingsize duvet cover and pillows £4

If just a few items:

70p per adult item
35p per childrens item (under 10 yrs)

I would pick up the items and drop them off ironed 48hrs later. I am thinking of hanging shirts on hangers provided by customer or using cheap wire ones. I might put the items that are on hangers in those plastic bags you can get.

I was also thinking if cost is under £10 to charge a £1 collection/drop off fee but free for over £10.

What does everyone think? Please feel free to pick holes and tell me if you think anything is too expensive etc

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalrymps · 09/05/2009 09:34

Yhanks, DoNotAnnoy, never seen one of those teflon plate things before! Worth the price for peace of mind i'd say

Yeah had thought of a press if I get going, getting quite excited about the idea now!

OP posts:
PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 09/05/2009 21:28

flat out

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 09/05/2009 21:29

soothing iron

PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 09/05/2009 21:29

cool iron

Original poster
Dalrymps · 09/05/2009 21:33

Thanks for the name suggestions paula... Will add them to the list. So many to consider!

OP posts:
PaulaYatesBiggestFan · 10/05/2009 00:07

hard pressed
let off steam
smooth operator

helpYOUiWILL · 10/05/2009 07:12

we have our ironing done. The current lady (we had another lady previously), charges £20. She collects and delivers at our convience and has a 48hr turn around. She supplied the basket and the clothes had to be level with the top edge and not overflowing. She suppllied the coat hangers and plastic covering on the clothes.

DoNotAnnoy · 10/05/2009 08:14

I quite like pressed for time and smooth operator....you could put James bond ironing clothes on your leaflets...maybe not

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 12:45

HelpYOUiWILL - Thats good to know, so many options to consider!

Smooth operator is a good one althogh not sure it describes me! LOL

Keep the name suggestions coming ladies

OP posts:
DoNotAnnoy · 10/05/2009 12:49

Amy & the Iron

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 12:55

Ooh I like that DoNotAnnoy , recon thats a definate maybe

OP posts:
HaventSleptForAYear · 10/05/2009 13:00

Our childminder does the ironing for us while DS2 is asleep in the afternoons.

She charges per hour but of course we know her and trust her so I think the weight idea is good for you.

Just wanted to add that she has something similar to this steam generator iron (v. popular in France).

She does ALL our ironing in 3h a month (I pay her 10? an hour). On average she does one big shopping bag full in about 15 mins (admittedly no shirts).

It would really save you loads of time if you got one I think.

JRocks · 10/05/2009 13:06

I was doing this up until recently, charged £7 per hour. Good luck whatever you decide!

Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner · 10/05/2009 13:09

I send mine out and its 15 items for £11 - they get returned 24hrs later on a wire coat hanger under a palstic cover - kids items are classed as half an item.

DoNotAnnoy · 10/05/2009 13:09

Yes MIL has an industrial steam generator iron and ironing board with vacuum suction to the bed. It is fabulous - but at over £1000 investment I was assuming you wouldn't invest yet

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 13:27

HaventSlept - That iron looks very exciting. Can't afford one like that yet but maybe once I get established I can save up?

JRocks - Did you get a lot of interest? Why did you stop?

Nappyzone - Ah so thats about 70p an item... At the moment I think i'm veering towards charging per item as it seems the best way to avoid any confusion/dissagreement. Are all your items returned on hangers? Do you then return those hangers to her next time?

NoNotAnnoy - Vacuum suction ironing board???! I've never heard of that. There seems to be a whole ironing world out there i've never heard about! Oh and £1000 !

OP posts:
HaventSleptForAYear · 10/05/2009 13:33

Good idea.

I think everyone is right that you need to time yourself doing some ironing to work out your costs/the logistics of it.

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 14:31

Yes, I must do that. Gonna buy a reasonable iron first I think then I'll know how long it takes me with the iron i'm actually going to use

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 14:31

Yes, I must do that. Gonna buy a reasonable iron first I think then I'll know how long it takes me with the iron i'm actually going to use

OP posts:
DoNotAnnoy · 10/05/2009 15:04

vacuum tables

They all top £1000 a peice (and I think that is just teh table).

Teh table itself is heated too....they are a dream to use....just a little bit beyind me lounge or I would have one for every day

HaventSleptForAYear · 10/05/2009 18:11

That steam generator one on Amazon is only £150 - if you are going to pay £50+ for a new iron it might be worth thinking about one instead if you do need a new iron.

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 21:44

Haventslept - I know, thats a good deal, the same iron is £195 in the argos... I have hardly got any spare cash at all though at the moment, hence me starting up ironing. If only there was a way to afford the iron now! Will rack my brains, sure I can come up with something!

OP posts:
FeelingOld · 10/05/2009 22:25

I pay by the hour to get mine done, its £8 per hour. I usually send a blue ikea bag full and it usually costs about £10.

I used to use a service who charged by weight but I found it very expensive to get jeans etc done so I ended up only sending light stuff and doing the jeans myself, I like being charged by the hour personally.

Original poster
Dalrymps · 10/05/2009 23:15

Good to know feelingold.

I'm still a little confused. It seems everyone prefers a different way of being charged. I'm not sure i'll be able to please everyone no matter which method I go with iyswim. I'm veering towards charging per item now...

My DH has thought of a name suggestion that might be a contender... What does everyone think of

Creased Lightning

OP posts:
Owls · 11/05/2009 09:09

Creased Lightening. Very good.

I pay per item as well btw and much prefer that option. The lady I use offers free pick up and delivery within a 5 mile radius with a 48 hour turn around.

One thing I would say regarding the use of the plastic covers, is that I asked her to stop putting them on after a while. Yes agree it looks professional but the reality in our house was at least 10 shirts worth of plastic every week going into the bin as it can't be recycled. That's a lot of waste. The shirts were leaving her premises, into the van and delivered here. There really was no need for it.

Good luck!