What to Expect from a Wash and Fold Laundry Service
Whether you’re juggling work, family or simply want to spend less time doing laundry, a wash and fold laundry service can take one of the most time-consuming household chores completely off your hands.
But if you’ve never used one before, you might be wondering exactly what happens after you hand over your laundry to a professional service like ihateironing. How are your clothes washed? What can you include? How much does a wash and fold service cost? And how quickly will everything be returned?
At ihateironing, we’ve helped thousands of customers reclaim valuable time with our professional collection and delivery laundry service. In this guide, we’ll explain what a wash and fold laundry service is, how it works, and what you can expect when you book with us.
What Is a Wash and Fold Service?
A wash and fold service is a professional laundry service for your everyday, machine-washable items. Your laundry is professionally washed, dried and neatly folded before being returned to your door, ready to put away.
Unlike dry cleaning, which uses specialist solvents for delicate garments, wash and fold uses water and detergent, much like washing at home. The difference is that it’s carried out using commercial equipment and professional processes that deliver consistent, high-quality results.
For busy professionals, families and anyone short on time, it’s one of the simplest ways to stay on top of your laundry without sacrificing evenings or weekends.
How Does a Wash and Fold Laundry Service Work?
Using our wash and fold pick up service couldn’t be easier.
1. Book your collection
Book online or through the ihateironing app and choose a collection time that suits your schedule.
2. We collect your laundry
Simply place your laundry in a bag and our driver will collect it from your home, office or concierge.
3. We professionally wash and dry your items
Our team carefully washes your laundry using the appropriate wash cycles, detergents and drying methods to ensure everything is cleaned safely and effectively.
4. We fold and deliver it back
Once clean, your laundry is neatly folded and returned to your chosen address, ready to go straight into your wardrobe or drawers.
What Items Can Be Included?
Our wash and fold laundry service is designed for everyday machine-washable items that don’t require specialist dry cleaning.
Typical items include:
- Everyday clothing: T-shirts, jeans, leggings, casual dresses, shorts and cotton tops.
- Sportswear and activewear: Gym clothes, running gear, sports kits and performance fabrics.
- Underwear and essentials: Socks, underwear, pajamas and loungewear.
- Family laundry: Children’s clothing, baby clothes and school uniforms.
- Household laundry: Towels, tea towels and other everyday washable linens.
If you’re unsure whether something is suitable, our team is always happy to advise before your collection.
What’s the Difference Between Wash and Fold and Dry Cleaning?
Although both are professional garment care services, they’re designed for different types of clothing.
Wash and Fold
- Uses water and detergent
- Ideal for everyday clothing and household laundry
- Best for cotton, polyester and other machine-washable fabrics
- Clothes are neatly folded ready to put away
Dry Cleaning
- Uses specialist cleaning solvents instead of water
- Designed for delicate fabrics and structured garments
- Ideal for suits, silk, wool, cashmere and garments labelled “Dry Clean Only”
- Helps preserve the shape, structure and finish of luxury garments
If you accidentally include an item that isn’t suitable for a wash and fold service, our team will always advise on the safest cleaning method and let you know before we process anything.
How Much Does a Wash and Fold Laundry Service Cost?
Many providers charge by the kilogram, making it an easy and flexible way to pay for your laundry.
At ihateironing, our Service Wash is priced by weight:
- Up to 5kg: £19.60
- Each additional kilogram: £3.90
This means you can simply fill a bag with your everyday laundry, we’ll weigh it after collection and only charge based on the total weight. There’s no need to count individual garments or create an itemised list.
Are Pick-Up and Delivery Available?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of our professional wash and fold delivery service is that you never need to visit a laundrette.
At ihateironing, we’ll collect directly from your:
- Home
- Workplace
- Concierge
- Hotel reception
- Safe place
Once your laundry has been cleaned and folded, we’ll deliver it back at a time that works around your schedule.
How Should You Prepare Your Laundry?
Preparing your laundry takes just a couple of minutes and helps us achieve the best possible results.
Before collection, we recommend that you:
- Empty all pockets.
- Let us know about any noticeable stains.
- Remove any Dry Clean Only garments.
- Include any special washing requests when booking.
- Put your items in a disposable plastic bag ready for collection.
If there’s anything you’d like us to know, you can leave notes when placing your order and our team will take them into account before cleaning begins.
What Detergents and Products Are Used?
Professional laundry services use commercial-grade detergents that clean effectively while remaining suitable for a wide range of fabrics.
If you have any specific requirements, such as using a fragrance-free or sensitive-skin detergent, simply let us know in your order notes and include your preferred detergent with your laundry. We’ll use it when cleaning your items.
Every order is handled with care, following the most appropriate cleaning process for the items you’ve sent.
What Shouldn’t Be Sent for Wash and Fold?
Some garments require specialist care and shouldn’t be included in your wash and fold order.
These include:
- Dry Clean Only garments
- Business suits
- Silk and cashmere
- Leather and suede
- Wedding dresses
- Structured jackets and coats
- Heavily embellished clothing
These items are better suited to our professional dry cleaning service, where they’re cleaned using methods specifically designed for delicate or luxury fabrics.
Or, if you require any of your items pressed, then this would go under a separate wash and press service, where items would be charged individually rather than by total weight.
How Long Does a Wash and Fold Service Take?
Turnaround times vary between providers, but most professional services return laundry within 24 hours.
At ihateironing, our collection and delivery slots are designed to fit around busy schedules, making it easy to have clean laundry returned without disrupting your day.
Is a Wash and Fold Service Worth It?
If laundry feels like a never-ending chore, the answer is usually yes.
Think about everything involved in doing laundry at home:
- Sorting
- Washing
- Drying
- Folding
- Putting everything away
A professional wash and fold laundry service removes all of those steps, giving you back valuable time while ensuring your everyday laundry is cleaned consistently and professionally.
For busy households, parents, commuters and professionals, it’s one less job to think about each week.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
To get the most from your wash and fold service:
- Check pockets before collection.
- Keep Dry Clean Only or Wash and Press garments separate.
- Include any special washing instructions and detergents when booking.
- Book regular collections to stay on top of your laundry.
A little preparation helps ensure every order comes back exactly as expected.
Let ihateironing Take Laundry Off Your To-Do List
A wash and fold laundry service is about more than clean clothes, it’s about giving yourself back time.
At ihateironing, we combine expert garment care with convenient collection and delivery, so your everyday laundry is washed, dried, folded and returned without you having to lift a finger.
Whether you’re booking a one-off Service Wash or making laundry part of your weekly routine, we’re here to make laundry day simpler, faster and stress-free.
ihateironing is a network of professional dry cleaners providing the finest dry cleaning and laundry service with convenient collection and delivery at any time that suit you. We operate in London, New York, Brighton, Edinburgh, Oxford, and beyond.