Outsourcing the washing machine

A new SME in Germany has combined forces with shipping company DHL to deliver a new pick-up and delivery service for personal laundry.

When new users sign up with Cleenbox, they receive a laundry bag, a plastic box, a manual and an address label.

Customers fill their bag with dirty laundry items, put it in the box and have it picked up or dropped off at a post office. In less than a week, (between two to five days), the clothes are returned, clean and ironed.

The boxes come in three sizes, with pricing determined by the number of “credits” a customer buys in advance. One “credit” buys one box of laundry, with prices ranging from about $40 to $70.

The company’s chief executive, Harry Hohoff, told Springwise.com that the service is targeting families, single people and busy consumers looking to outsource household chores.