Five Years Of Washful Thinking

Ms Grist to the mill…

t’s always heartening to see a small local business not only survive the likes of Covid and those rising energy prices, but actually thrive…

Such is the case with Washt!, the groovy dry cleaning HQ in Blacklion.

Which may explain why they’re celebrating five years of being clothes-minded, and ending each day in a spin.

Making sure that no one around here does their dirty laundry in public – that’s what the Greystones Open Farm is for, baby – Emma and co have become a firm favourite around these here parts.

And just what the last five years have taught the family behind the counter, well, we asked the iron maiden herself…

It is all well and good to have an idea to start a laundry business in a town that you know needs one, but reality is another. As a working mom, I knew without a doubt that laundry was always a significant stressor. The thought of taking that burden away from other parents was my primary motivation. Little did I know, my entrepreneurial dream would tumble into a spin cycle of unexpected hilarity.

The Sudsy Highs Starting this business nearly 5 years ago has been like joining a soap opera, with each customer bringing their own quirky charm. We pride ourselves on our customer service and this remains my focus daily.

Laundry Lingo Navigating the world of laundry lingo has been another unexpected source of amusement. One customer asked me the difference between detergent and fabric softener. I explained, “Detergent makes your clothes clean, while fabric softener makes them cuddle-ready!” I’m practically a laundry linguist now.

Unexpected Skills I’ve developed some truly unexpected skills in this business. I’ve become a stain removal wizard, tackling everything from red wine spills to mystery stains that defy identification. When the staff see me reach for my special box of liquids, they know I mean business. One of my greatest joys is of teaching new staff the art or folding a fitted sheet. It is sheer masterclass in wizardry.

Despite the chaos and just how busy it can be, there’s something oddly comforting about the routine. Every day feels a bit like Groundhog Day, but with more fabric softener. The hum of the machines and the rhythmic folding and ironing can be almost meditative. Knowing our customers will receive their laundry, ironing or dry cleaning back smelling fresh, folded and ready to take on another day is very satisfying.

Reflecting on this adventure, I realise that despite the ups and downs, running a laundry business is incredibly rewarding. We love what we do, and we are very thankful for all our wonderful customers.

Laundry life isn’t always clean, but it sure is a load of fun!

Boom! 

Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, you can find out more about Washt! on their website here, and on Instagram here or Facebook here, and you can get in touch directly on [email protected] or 0879298300. Also, check out our early days video chat with the gang here.