Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Stain Removal: Back to Basics
Originally posted - Aug 27, 2014 I get calls from laundry owners every week, asking a number of questions about different ways to enhance their drop-off laundry businesses. However, the most common queries I receive revolve around stain removal. So, let's go back to...
Better Commercial Laundering Through Chemistry
Originally posted - Jan 11, 2012 You've finally decided to diversify your laundry business and take on some commercial accounts. Great! But you must understand that there are some big differences between the residential wash-dry-fold laundry you may already be doing...
Profitable Pricing
Originally posted - Feb 08, 2012 I get frequent calls from laundry owners asking me how to accurately price their commercial accounts. And the first thing I point out to them is that commercial laundry is a slightly different animal than residential wash-dry-fold...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Spray Spotters
Originally posted - Aug 13, 2014 I do a lot of drop-off laundry at my store and was looking for a good spray spotter. Do you have any recommendations? Yes, I would get Liquid Wisk. This product is good on food stains, some inks and some light oils. It is probably one...
Wash with Wally: How to Wash Throw Rugs
Originally posted - Jun 17, 2013 What advice can you give for washing throw rugs? Most throw rugs can be washed, even with a rubber backing. However, when washing any kind of a rug, wash it in cold water, because it's hard to determine how many different materials the...
Wash with Wally: Stains on Suede
Originally posted - May 02, 2014 A customer of mine recently brought in a chocolate-colored suede coat, on which she had spilled cola. Do you have any tips that would help me remove this dark stain for her? Suede can be very fragile to dye release. You can try using...
The Business Mind
Toughen Up!
Originally posted - Jun 27, 2014 I once read that "the ability to find energy and power from what we can't know or control provides an immense competitive advantage." Of course, as self-service laundry owners, we can only know so much about our businesses, the...
It’s the Law!
Originally posted - Nov 26, 2012 The paramount universal truism of business is that all customers are people. Therefore, it's logical to assume that, if we become proficient at understanding the psychology of the human organism, we should end up as improved marketers....
Take a Chance
Originally posted - Apr 12, 2013 "If we listened to our intellect, we'd never go into business because we'd be too cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." - Annie Dillard, American author and...