Winter-Proof Your Dry Cleaning Business: How to Thrive (Not Just Survive) During Freezing Seasons

For laundromat owners, winter isn't just about the cold; it could also be the busiest season of the year. As customers swap light linens for heavy wool items, the demand for professional cleaning increases. In fact, many businesses see a 15% to 25% revenue surge between December and February. 

However, while this quarter can be a prime opportunity for dry cleaning and laundromat businesses, low temperatures also bring several operational challenges that can quietly affect profits if left unchecked.

Let’s break down the most common winter challenges and solutions businesses face, and their solutions: 

Challenge #1: Snow-reduced foot traffic 

This is probably the toughest of all the winter challenges, since it hits in multiple ways: severe weather makes people stay home and reluctant to go out, while treacherous roads prevent customers from reaching your store, often causing walk-in traffic to come to a complete standstill.

The solution: 

The most effective solution is to introduce or strengthen your pickup and delivery service. When customers don’t want to leave their homes, bringing the service to them keeps revenue flowing. And if you still don’t offer this convenience yet, you can always create a cozy, warm space inside with comfortable seating areas to keep arriving customers happy and comfortable.

Challenge #2: Weather disruptions

Winter can bring unexpected problems that disrupt your dry cleaning or laundromat business: staff no-shows, snow or ice reducing walk-ins, and delayed pickups and deliveries due to harsh weather.

The solution:

• Handle staff no-shows with clear communication. Identify key roles ahead of time, and boost reliability with incentives for reliable attendance.

• Work with multiple carriers and alternative routes to dodge storm-blocked areas. Give customers flexible options, such as nearby alternate pickup spots, so service stays on track even when roads are bad.

• Combat snow and ice, reducing walk-ins with a strong post-storm plan: clear entrances, walkways, and apply salt, sand, or de-icers to stop refreezing and create safe access.

Challenge #3: Increased volume and processing time

So your dry cleaning/laundromat business is skyrocketing in demand right now, and now the increased volume is causing delays and unsatisfied customers.

The solution:

To maintain efficiency:

• Pre-treat salt and road grime stains at drop-off

• Batch similar bulky items together

• Use appropriate solvents and low-heat drying cycles

• Clearly communicate winter turnaround times (typically 3–5 days during peak season)

This will help you preserve top-quality results and protect your reputation for dependable, professional service even when volumes spike.

Challenge #4: Rising utility costs in winter

Heating systems, boilers, dryers, and lighting run longer during colder months. As energy demand increases, so do operating costs.

The solution: 

To control expenses, fight back with practical upgrades such as:

• Installing smart thermostats 

• Enhancing building insulation

• Upgrading to LED lighting

• Using energy-efficient HVAC systems. 

Shifting high-energy operations to off-peak hours and optimizing lighting and heating can mitigate the expected 9.2% increase in heating costs this winter.

Challenge #5 Equipment strain and preventive maintenance

Winter weather hits dry cleaners and laundromats hard: increased load volumes put serious strain on equipment, leading to boiler breakdowns, frozen water lines, reduced dryer efficiency, and faster lint buildup that can cause expensive downtime.

The solution: 

Get ahead of the cold by preparing your equipment now:

• Inspect and clean dryer heating elements.

• Make sure all water supply lines are properly insulated to avoid freezes

• Schedule a professional winter maintenance check to identify minor issues before they become expensive breakdowns.

Winter is your biggest opportunity of the year if your systems are ready for it.

Don’t wait for equipment failures or delivery delays to disrupt peak season. A streamlined pickup and delivery operation can protect your revenue, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce operational stress.

With DARK’s intuitive Pickup & Delivery App, you can automate scheduling, track orders in real time, and manage routes efficiently, even in the coldest season.

Book a free demo and see how your business can stay ahead this winter.

Like what you’re reading? Then you are going to love our article: How to Choose the Right Automation Tools for Your Dry Cleaning Business in 2026