Most people who think about starting a laundry or dry cleaning business in Dubai are not chasing trends. They are asking something practical: Is this business stable, legal, and profitable in the long run?
The short answer is yes. Laundry and dry cleaning services in Dubai are demand-driven, repeat-use, and recession-resistant.
If you want clarity on licensing, approvals, costs, and setup structure, Get in touch with Raes Associates for expert guidance before you take the first step. It saves time, money, and mistakes.
Is a laundry and dry cleaning business profitable in Dubai?
Yes. It is one of the most stable service businesses in Dubai.
Why?
- High population of working professionals
- Strong hospitality and tourism demand
- Large number of residential towers and communities
- Regular repeat customers
Laundry is not a luxury service. It is a necessity. That makes revenue predictable.
Do I need a special license to start a laundry business in Dubai?
Yes. You need a commercial license for laundry and dry cleaning activities.
Your license usually covers:
- Laundry services
- Dry cleaning
- Ironing and garment care
- Home and hotel collection services
This license is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland companies.
If you want to understand how cleaning-related businesses are legally structured, read our guide on starting a cleaning business in Dubai.
Should I choose Mainland or Free Zone for a laundry business?
Mainland is mandatory for laundry businesses that serve local customers.
Laundry is a location-based service:
- You need walk-in customers
- You need delivery access
- You need residential and hotel contracts
Free zones are not practical for this model. Mainland setup gives you:
- Legal right to operate anywhere in Dubai
- Freedom to serve homes, hotels, and businesses
- Physical shop approvals
What approvals are required for a laundry & dry cleaning business?
Laundry businesses need municipality and health-related approvals.
Common approvals include:
- Dubai Municipality approval
- Shop layout and drainage approval
- Wastewater disposal compliance
- Environmental and safety compliance
- Fire and civil defense clearance
This is similar to other physical service businesses.
If you want to understand structured facility approvals, read our guide on starting a building maintenance company in Dubai.
What are the step-by-step procedures to start a laundry & dry cleaning business in Dubai?
Starting a laundry business in Dubai follows a clear sequence. Missing even one step usually causes delays.
- Choose the business activity
Select “Laundry Services” and “Dry Cleaning Services” under commercial activities approved by DET. - Reserve trade name
Choose a unique trade name that follows Dubai naming rules. - Get initial approval from DET
This confirms the government has no objection to your business activity. - Select a suitable shop location
The shop must meet Dubai Municipality requirements for:
- Drainage
- Ventilation
- Wastewater disposal
- Fire safety
- Obtain Dubai Municipality approval
Submit:
- Shop layout plan
- Equipment placement plan
- Plumbing and drainage drawings
- Get Civil Defense approval
Required for fire safety and equipment compliance. - Sign Ejari for the shop
Mandatory before final license issuance. - Final license issuance
Once approvals are in place, DET issues your commercial license. - Install equipment and complete fit-out
Machines, piping, drainage, and electrical setup. - Apply for staff visas
For machine operators, ironing staff, and counter staff.
This is why laundry businesses take longer than service-only businesses. They are approval-heavy.
What is the detailed cost breakup for a laundry business in Dubai?
The total investment depends mainly on shop size and equipment quality. Below is a realistic breakdown.
Expense Category | Estimated Cost (AED) |
Trade license & approvals | 10,000 – 18,000 |
Shop rent + Ejari (annual) | 20,000 – 60,000 |
Dubai Municipality approvals | 5,000 – 10,000 |
Civil Defense approval | 3,000 – 6,000 |
Equipment purchase | 50,000 – 180,000 |
Fit-out & plumbing | 15,000 – 40,000 |
Staff visas (2–4 people) | 8,000 – 20,000 |
Initial utilities & setup | 4,000 – 8,000 |
Total expected investment:
AED 120,000 to AED 350,000+
This range matches real market setups:
- Basic shop: AED 120K–180K
- Mid-range shop: AED 180K–250K
- Premium setup: AED 250K–350K+
What is the minimum space required for a laundry shop?
Usually 300 to 500 sq. ft., depending on equipment and layout.
Your shop must allow:
- Separate washing and drying areas
- Storage
- Customer reception
- Drainage and ventilation
Mall and community locations work best for visibility.
What equipment is required to start a laundry business?
You will need industrial-grade machines.
Basic setup includes:
- Commercial washing machines
- Dryers
- Dry cleaning machines (if offering solvent cleaning)
- Pressing and ironing equipment
- Steam generators
- Packing machines
Equipment choice impacts your setup cost heavily.
How much does it cost to start a laundry business in Dubai?
Typical investment range: AED 120,000 to AED 350,000+
This includes:
- Trade license
- Shop rent and Ejari
- Municipality approvals
- Equipment purchase
- Fit-out and plumbing
- Initial staff visas
This is a higher-investment business compared to service-only models.
Do I need special training or certification?
No formal degree is required, but operational experience is critical.
You must understand:
- Fabric care
- Chemical handling
- Machine maintenance
- Health and safety practices
Hiring experienced technicians reduces operational risk.
How many staff are needed initially?
Minimum 2 to 4 staff members.
Usually:
- 1 counter staff
- 1 machine operator
- 1 ironing staff
- 1 delivery rider (optional)
Can I add home pickup and delivery services?
Yes, and it increases revenue significantly.
You can:
- Offer WhatsApp booking
- App-based ordering
- Hotel and salon contracts
- Subscription laundry packages
Delivery makes your business scalable.
Is this business similar to car wash or cleaning services?
Yes, operationally they are similar.
All are:
- Location-based
- Equipment-driven
- Approval-heavy
- Recurring service businesses
If you’re exploring parallel opportunities, read our guide on starting a car wash business in the UAE.
What are the most common mistakes people make?
Most failures come from planning mistakes, not market demand.
Common errors:
- Choosing wrong shop location
- Underestimating equipment costs
- Ignoring municipality approvals
- Poor drainage planning
- Weak service quality
Laundry businesses succeed on operational discipline, not branding alone.
How long does it take to start a laundry business in Dubai?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks.
Timeline includes:
- Trade name and initial approval
- Shop selection and Ejari
- Municipality approval
- Equipment installation
- Final license issuance
Can foreigners fully own a laundry business in Dubai?
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
You do not need a local partner for most activities.
Is laundry a scalable business in Dubai?
Yes, highly scalable.
You can grow through:
- Multiple outlets
- Central processing unit + branches
- Hotel and hospital contracts
- Franchise models
Is starting a laundry & dry cleaning business in Dubai worth it?
Yes, if you plan it properly.
This business offers:
- Stable cash flow
- Repeat customers
- Long-term sustainability
- Clear operational structure
But it is not a shortcut business. It needs:
- Capital
- Compliance
- Process discipline
If you want a clear legal roadmap, approval checklist, and cost structure,
Get in touch with Raes Associates for expert guidance and start your laundry business the right way.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a laundry and dry cleaning business profitable in Dubai?
Yes. It is one of the most stable service businesses because demand is constant from residents, hotels, salons, and corporate clients, with repeat monthly usage.
- Do I need a mainland license to open a laundry shop in Dubai?
Yes. Laundry and dry cleaning businesses must be set up on the mainland to legally serve local customers and operate a physical shop.
- How much investment is required to start a laundry business in Dubai?
Most laundry businesses start with an investment between AED 120,000 and AED 350,000+, depending on shop size, equipment quality, fit-out, and staff strength.
- What approvals are mandatory for a laundry business?
You need approvals from Dubai Municipality, drainage and waste management clearance, and Civil Defense for safety compliance before your license is issued.
- Can I offer home pickup and delivery for laundry services?
Yes. Home pickup and delivery are allowed and strongly recommended, as they increase customer reach, repeat orders, and overall profitability.
