Gunjan Taneja's life took a turn after her marriage in 2015. She realised firsthand the daunting task of managing laundry, a chore previously handled by her mother. 

Witnessing her once-pristine wardrobe gradually deteriorate, she was inspired to create a professional laundry service that would simplify the lives of others.

Meanwhile, Arunabh Sinha, Gunjan's husband, was grappling with similar laundry challenges in his role as a hotel manager. The industry was plagued by dirty linens and subpar service. Recognising this gap, the couple saw an opportunity to revolutionise the laundry industry.

Credits: TOI

In 2016, the couple quit their jobs and began researching laundromats in Southeast Asian countries. Inspired by thriving models in Indonesia, they decided to start a similar service in India.

“India’s laundry market is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2025,” says Arunabh, yet largely remaining unorganised. They aimed to deliver consistent quality and hyperlocal solutions, addressing issues like delays and lack of transparency.

“In India, most give their clothes outside for ironing. So we wondered, ‘Then why not for washing?’ That’s when we realised that it’s more of a supply problem than demand,” says Gunjan.

With Rs 20 lakh capital, UClean launched in January 2017. They introduced live laundromats in a franchise model where customers could witness their clothes being washed and ironed.

They developed a strategy to partner with locals to customise their services for every neighbourhood. This helped create micro-entrepreneurs while addressing diverse local demands.

UClean’s popular ‘Laundry by Kg’ service lets customers choose between wash & fold or wash and iron. They also offer dry cleaning, shoe, carpet, sofa, and bag cleaning.

Today, UClean boasts 350+ stores across 100 cities. By 2019, they became the fastest retail chain to hit 200 franchisees, overtaking Subway’s record.

Starting up wasn’t easy. “I was at a very well-paying job when I decided to chase this idea. My family was scandalised that I was quitting my job to ‘become a dhobi’,” says Arunabh. Investors were also sceptical initially.

Despite challenges, the couple built a Rs 100 crore business and plan to open 6,000+ outlets by 2028. “We’re creating a structured laundry industry while empowering locals,” Arunabh says.

“I’ve saved so much time with UClean,” says Swati, a regular customer. “It’s quick, clean, and hassle-free.” UClean is redefining India’s laundry services!

Credits: TOI