Ironing service: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering ironing service
Ironing service is judged on crisp results and on how well you handle delicate fabrics and special pieces. Winning this work means a fabric check on intake, a clear turnaround and a return method that keeps the pressing intact.
What customers ask
- Can you press silk and wool without a shine
- Will you iron my pleats and keep them sharp
- How long does a rush order take
- Do you hang or fold the shirts
- Will you tell me if you find a stain or damage
- Do you do pickup and delivery
How to win the job
- On intake, check every care label and test the heat on a hidden seam for each delicate fabric before pressing
- Note stains, tears and loose buttons on the intake sheet, and show the customer the sheet at pickup or delivery
- Quote the turnaround in working days and list the rush option separately
- Press collars and cuffs first, use a press cloth for shine-prone fabrics and steam for pleats
- Return shirts hung on hangers with buttons closed, and fold linens in a way that keeps creases from setting
- Set a written policy for garments that come back damaged, and tell the customer what you will do
What to put on your profile
- Photos of crisply pressed shirts, pleated skirts and table linens
- A list of fabrics you press, such as cotton, linen, silk and wool, with the method for each
- Your pickup and delivery area and time windows
- Your insurance certificate and your garment damage policy
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a regular weekly pickup for households that send shirts on a schedule
- Suggest garment bags for travel or storage, with the choice left to the customer
- Share a short care sheet for common fabrics so customers know how to launder before dropping off
Licenses and permits
Ironing service is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration and any rules that apply to a garment or laundry business you run, and keep your insurance certificate current for customers who ask.
Questions
Who is responsible for a burn or a shine mark on a garment?
Document the garment condition at intake and be clear about your policy. Keep the intake sheet and photos so both sides can see the starting point.
Should I press items that the label says to dry clean only?
Only with a clear customer agreement and a low-heat test first. If you are not sure, refer the item to a dry cleaner.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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