When running a business that uses a lot of towels such as a massage studio, hair salon, osteopathy clinic, or wellness space keeping on top of the laundry can be a real challenge. If you’ve ever asked yourself, should I use a towel service?, this guide is for you. We’ll compare the benefits of outsourcing towel laundering versus owning and washing your own towels to help you make the best decision for your business.
Benefits of using a towel service
A commercial towel service offers a streamlined alternative to managing towels in-house. Here are some benefits to outsourcing your laundry to a towel service.
1. Save time and free up staff
Outsourcing towel washing means no more washing loads of laundry, folding or needing to conduct a towel stocktake. Your team can focus on what they do best.
2. Consistent hygiene and quality
Commercial towel cleaning providers follow strict sanitation procedures, using high-heat washing and specialised detergents and degreasers. This ensures each towel is clean, soft, and ready to use.
3. Predictable costs
With towel rental or service, you pay a set fee to provide an agreed-upon number of towels.
4. Space savings
You will only need to hold on to the stock that you are using, the towel laundry service will hold on to the rest. This saves space in your office or studio.
Benefits of owning your own towels
Managing your towels in-house still suits some businesses, especially if you have the resources and space.
1. Full control over towel stock
You can choose your towel type, colour, and laundering schedule.
2. Flexibility
You can launder towels on demand and control how towels are used or stored. You also have complete control of the process and what detergents you use.
What’s the real cost of towels of washing your own towels?
Managing and washing your own towels might seem more cost-effective, however, some business owners don’t take into account the auxiliary costs that come with keeping laundry in-house.
If you’re considering buying your own towels, here are some additional costs you should factor in:
- Upfront purchase of high-quality towels
- Commercial-grade washing machines and dryers, or reliance on local laundromats (domestic laundry equipment doesn’t usually have enough capacity to support a business that uses more than 20 towels a day)
- Regular staff time spent on washing, drying, folding and storing
- Utility bills and maintenance of equipment (or the cost to use a laundromat)
- Space required for towel storage and laundry equipment
- Replenishing old, stained or lost stock. Towels don’t last forever and need to be replaced eventually.
How to decide what’s right for you
If you’re still not sure if it is worth outsourcing your towels to a laundry service, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- How many towels does my business go through each week?
- Do I have the space, staff, and the right laundry equipment to manage laundry?
- Am I spending too much time or money on washing towels?
- Would outsourcing help my team deliver a better client experience?
What to look for in a towel service provider
Not all towel laundry services are the same. Some huge towel suppliers process tons of towels daily. These larger companies usually have minimum delivery quantities. Then, more boutique towel services like ours only serve a local area, which can cater to smaller businesses.
Flexible delivery schedules
Look for a company that can create a delivery schedule that suits your business
Quality hygiene standards
Make sure that the towel service provider has high-quality controls in their laundry process. You should also confirm that they are using the correct detergents and degreasers for your industry
Locally-based service
Find a locally based towel service provider. Nina’s Laundrette is based in Northcote and serve Melbourne and the northern suburbs
Transparent pricing
Choose a towel provider that has transparent pricing and doesn’t include hidden fees for things like inventory maintenance or environment and sustainability charges.
Eco-conscious practices
Consider choosing a towel service provider that uses sustainable practices like having a textile recycling plan and using energy-efficient laundry equipment.
Still wondering, should I use a towel service?
Nina’s Laundrette partners with clinics, salons, and wellness studios across Melbourne to provide reliable, high-quality towel services that save time and reduce hassle.
Our towel service bundles everything into one predictable cost. No need to buy, wash or manage anything. Clean towels are delivered to your door, and dirty ones are picked up. Chat with our team today to find out how our Melbourne towel service can support your business.