When you are opening a new dry cleaning or laundromat business, there’s a lot to learn, and we aren’t just talking about logistics or finances, we are talking about industry-specific terminology. What is the difference between P&D and WDF? And what even is a Plant? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. We’ve put together a list of common key terms that you may encounter within the laundry industry, helping you get up to speed and start speaking like a laundromat pro in no time.
Glossary of Laundry Industry Terms
Alterations
Alterations are made to improve the fit or appearance of specific items such as wedding dresses, shirts and trousers. Some Dry Cleaners and Laundromats will offer this service as an additional revenue stream.
Assisted Assembly
This is where software, such as CleanCloud, will assist in organizing, tracking and assembling orders. This ensures garments are correctly grouped and ready to be returned back to the customer.
CleanCloud
CleanCloud is an all-in-one POS system for laundromats and dry cleaners. This system is packed with tools to help business owners manage orders, track inventory, take secure payments and even send marketing to customers.
Coin-Operated Laundromat
This is a self-serve coin laundry business where laundromat customers will use coins to wash and dry their clothes using laundry machines. Each machine in the laundromat will be activated by coins, customers will use these to start their chosen cycle. These are a popular choice as they require less input from staff.
Commercial Laundry
This is a service that laundromats offer to other businesses such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, gyms etc. Laundromats will usually collect items such as linens, towels and uniforms from the business customer, and then wash, dry and fold them before delivering back to the business. This extra service provides laundromats with a steady and reliable additional revenue stream, in addition to their retail customers.
Conveyors
Conveyors are automated systems used to move clothing within a dry cleaning facility. These help save time for staff, moving garments to designated areas for delivery or pick-up.
Detailing
Some customers may require certain techniques or special care applied to their clothing. This can include stain removal or hand pressing which is important for high-end items made of delicate fabrics. Noting these preferences is referred to as ‘detailing’. These details can then be tracked within a POS such as CleanCloud to help staff ensure that all orders are processed correctly.
Dry Cleaner
A dry cleaner is a business which specializes in cleaning clothing which needs special care or are made of delicate fabrics such as silk, leather or wool. The cleaning process is done using chemical solvents instead of water and they will often provide additional services such as stain removal, alterations and pressing.
Full Service Laundromat
A full service laundromat is a laundry business where staff handle the entire wash, dry and fold process for customers. They may also offer additional services such as ironing and stain removal. Customers can drop off their items in store, although many also ] provide pickup and delivery (P&D) and same-day options, an ideal option for busy customers.
Garment Tags
These are specific labels which are attached to clothing items in order to be tracked throughout the cleaning process. Garment tags will include important information such as the customer name and order number. CleanCloud supports the use of garment tags, allowing business owners to scan and organize orders efficiently.
Heat Seals
Heat seals are semi-permanent tags which get applied to garments using heat and pressure. This method means that the heat seals will stay attached during the wash, dry and ironing stages.
Integrated Payments
This refers to a payment processing system which is integrated directly into a business point of sale, such as CleanCloud. It allows customers to pay for orders through the system using methods such as card or online payments.
Inventory Management
Business owners need to manage their inventory by tracking stock such as cleaning items, detergents and laundry bags. This helps reduce the risk of over or under stocking, and ensures that there are always enough products available for customers.
Kiosk
These are the front desks of the store where customers place orders, drop off laundry and make payments. A member of staff will often be managing the kiosk, answering any queries that customers may have.
Laundry Bags
Customers use laundry bags to carry washing to and from the laundromat. They are also ideal for businesses who offer services like P&D to transport laundry orders.
Laundry Cards
These are physical cards that customers can use to activate machines, make payments for their washing and store a digital balance. Many businesses are transitioning to card and contactless options, replacing coin-operated machines. For stores who use CleanCloud, customers can use laundry cards through integrations such as Laundroworks.
Laundry Locker
Lockers are used as a drop-off and pick-up point for laundry orders. Often available 24/7, it gives customers the flexibility to collect their laundry at a time that is convenient for them.
Laundromat
A laundromat is a general term for a laundry facility where people go to wash and dry their clothes. As well as self-serve, you may also find extra services such as wash-dry-fold, dry cleaning and pickup and delivery.
Laundromat Leasing
This is where business owners can rent a property and equipment for a laundromat. This includes machines such as washers and dryers which can be paid for on a monthly basis, rather than a large amount of money upfront.
Order Management
This method involves tracking orders from start to finish, making sure that clothes are processed correctly and on time.
P&D (Pickup and Delivery / PUD)
Pickup and delivery, also referred to as P&D or PUD, is a convenient service where customers can have their laundry picked up and dropped off at their location. With a POS system like CleanCloud, customers can use online scheduling to place orders and receive real-time notifications on the status.
Perc Test
Also short for a perchloroethylene test, a perc test is used to see how compatible a fabric is to perchloroethylene which is a popular dry cleaning solvent. Fabrics are tested to see if perc can be used without causing any damage or discoloration.
Plant
In the laundry industry, a Plant is a central facility where multiple stores send their orders to be cleaned. Once complete, they are then returned to each store. CleanCloud’s Plant Mode is built specifically for this setup, so business owners can keep track of all orders on one designated page in the system.
Point of Sale (POS)
A Point of Sale (POS) system is the technology used by businesses in all kinds of industries to run operations. For laundry businesses, a POS is used to manage orders, take payments, track inventory, sales metrics and more depending on what tools are offered. CleanCloud is specifically built for laundromats and dry cleaners, packing all these features and more into one cloud-based system for stores in over 100 countries.
Pressing
A pressing machine or iron will apply heat and pressure to clothing to smooth out any wrinkles and remove creases. This technique is mostly used for formal wear like dress shirts and uniforms.
Return on Investment (ROI)
ROI is a metric used to work out the profitability of an investment. For the laundry industry, this will include factors such as purchasing equipment, paying utility bills, marketing methods and investing in tech such as a POS system. Having a high ROI means a business has generated a good amount of profit compared to how much was initially spent on the investment.
Revenue per Machine
Stores will measure how much money is made from each washer and dryer on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This measurement is also known as a key performance indicator (KPI). Tracking revenue from machines helps owners identify which are making the most profit, if any need maintenance, and if the positioning of some machines may need adjusting.
Same-Day Service
This is a service offered by laundromats where customer orders can be cleaned and returned all in the same day. Often provided at a higher price, it’s a convenient option for customers who are in need of a quick turnaround time.
Stain Removal
Offered as an additional service, this is a careful process where stains such as wine, grease or other are removed from clothing. Businesses will use specialized techniques that work on stains without causing any damage to the material.
Steaming
This is a process where hot steam is applied to clothing to remove wrinkles, an alternative to ironing and is a preferred technique for items made of delicate fabrics.
Starching
Starch is added during the washing or ironing stage to give clothing a crisp finish. Customers often request starch for items such as table linens to give them a neat and polished look.
Spotting / Spot Cleaning
This is a pre-treatment stage where staff will identify and treat any specific tough stains on clothing before they go through the general cleaning process. Staff will apply targeted stain removal on stains that need some extra work.
Subscription Service
Customers can sign up to a subscription where they can get regular laundry services at a fixed fee. This model is ideal for recurring customers who use a laundromat or dry cleaners on a regular basis.
Turns Per Day
This refers to the amount of cycles or “turns” that a machine completes within a 24 hour period. A high amount of turns means that a machine is being used frequently contributing to income. Tracking these turns daily will also give you an idea on peak times, highlighting days when the store is most busy.
Vending Machines
Vending machines are used in laundromats to sell products such as detergent, dryer sheets and fabric softener. They are also used to sell snacks and beverages for customers who are waiting for their laundry.
Wash-Dry-Fold (WDF)
This is a laundry service where customers can have their laundry wash, dried and neatly folded by staff. WDF is a popular option for commercial customers washing items such as towels and uniforms.
Water Analysis
This is a process where the water quality in a laundromat is tested evaluating factors such as pH levels, hardness and mineral content. Good quality water will improve the overall clean of clothing and will also help extend the lifespan of equipment.
Wet Cleaning
Unlike standard washing, wet cleaning is a method which uses water and biodegradable detergents to clean garments. It requires a precise temperature with the right moisture levels to avoid any damage.
Workflow
This is an organized flow of tasks put in place to process and clean customer orders. When followed correctly, you can minimize any errors and ensure that laundry is cleaned and given back to the customer on time. With a POS system such as CleanCloud, you’ll have access to different workflows for different services, helping you get the most out of your operations.
To learn more about CleanCloud POS, visit our website.