Now, a laundry at petrol pumps!

Got a pile of clothes that you want washed, dried, ironed and delivered at your doorstep within 24 hours? Just drive to any of the BPCL petrol pumps that has an IFB Launderette and your job is done.

IFB Industries Ltd has tied up with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited to set up launderettes at BPCL petrol stations, to offer hygienic and convenient laundry service to customers.

IFB launderettes are already functional at BPCL petrol stations at Santacruz, Kandivli, Chembur and Vikroli in Mumbai. IFB also has standalone launderettes at Andheri and Malad.

"We offer a hygienic and hassle-free laundry service at affordable rates. We use clean water, which is changed after every wash unlike at traditional laundries. Besides, we use a good detergent and antiseptic, and ensure pick-up and delivery within 24 hours," says Surjit, manager at the Chembur launderette, which opened in January.

For the IFB launderettes, the torrential rains on July 26 have been a blessing as the quantity of clothes that come for washing has doubled. "We used to get about 40 to 50 kilos of clothes before the floods, now it is about 80 to 100 kilos a day," says Surjit.

IFB franchisees are optimistic that once people try out this service, they will continue to frequent the laundry. Being at the BPCL outlets, it becomes easier for people who go out to work, to dump their clothes.

What about the rates?

"The charges for washing and ironing of clothes below 2 kilos in weight are Rs 45. For clothes over than 2 kilos in weight, the charge is Rs 40. For curtains and carpets, we charge 50 per kg," explains Surjit.

IFB launderette in Chember also offers a discount to students from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Somaiya College. They are also helping people affected by floods by offering discounts.

The Chembur laundrette set up with an initial investment of Rs 3 lakh, needs more laundry to start making profits, says Surjit. "We would like more people to come forward and try our service. The outlets are managed by 8 to 9 people who ensure a smooth flow, from picking up clothes, washing, ironing and finally getting it to the right destination."

"The outlets ensure a pre-wash for very dirty clothes, shirt collars, etc which is done manually before the machine wash. Once the clothes are washed and ironed, they are neatly folded and packed resembling a new readymade garment," he says, showing a shirt neatly packed up with collar pins.

"We hope to expand our services to reach out to more people. We are planning to open services in Vashi and Mulund. IFB has plans to more outlets in the long run and we hope to cash in on this new trend. We need about three to four months to stabilize business and open more outlets," says Surjit.

The service has been very popular in Bangalore and Kolkata. IFB franchises hope the service in Mumbai will be a success story too. A tie-up with BPCL means uninterrupted power and water supply, which is essential to this service.

In a city like Mumbai where power cuts and water shortage have become a part of daily life, the IFB launderette will go a long way to ease the burden of many Mumbaikars.

The IFB Launderette at the BPCL petrol pump at Charkop, Kandivli.
Photograph: Jewella C Miranda