Dana Brenner was already a home-based worker when she decided to start another business, Dana’s Duds Laundry Service.
The personalized laundry service was started by Brenner in Shawano about two months ago.
“I’ve been a certified dyslexia therapist since 2014, and I’m in my office quite a bit working with students for reading therapy, dyslexia therapy,” Brenner said. “And I thought that I could run my washing machine that is right around the corner outside my home office. Perfect!”
Brenner offers the convenience of doing laundry for busy folks who want to skip the hours spent in a Laundromat, or those who simply want to have more time available in their hectic lives.
Brenner said her laundry service is great for families with young children, families with children in sports, caregivers and senior citizens.
“It’s a good service for special needs cases,” she said. “The service covers all populations. It’s convenient and has a high degree of discretion.”
She also caters to medical workers.
“I know it’s weird, but I love washing scrubs,” she said.
She said that she can also serve commercial places, like fitness centers, coffee shops and restaurants.
Brenner’s charge for a 13-gallon bag of laundry is $35, which includes pickup and delivery. Her service includes pretreating, washing, drying and folding. She’ll put items on hangers that need to be hung.
When a customer calls her the first time, she usually asks, “What do you have? How much do you have? Can you send me a picture?”
She recently took in three large plastic tubs of baby clothes.
“The mom just said: ‘Here. Take this and do something with it,’” Brenner said. “I washed everything and divided the clothes up by size.”
She said that her turnaround time is great for families with children in sports. If a load is brought in on Tuesday, for example, and the athlete has another game on Thursday, she is able to get the load completed in time for the customer.
“I use regular detergent, Tide with Oxy, or I have a sensitive formula for those with skin sensitivities. I don’t use fabric softener; I use vinegar. It softens, and I use wool dryer balls,” Brenner said. “I don’t have to dry the clothes as long, so any shrinkage won’t be as much.”
In cases where a customer may want to have a different product used, they must provide it.
She uses a regular washer and dryer in her home and can handle all items, with the exception of king-size comforters.
Brenner said that she’ll also do small sewing repairs.
“I had a doctor who gave me a full load of laundry,” she said. “The hem was coming out on a skirt. So, I repaired it.”
She said that she took time to establish her rate, taking into consideration drive time for pickup and delivery, plus the actual laundering and folding process.
“I went around to the three local Laundromats, and I compared what they charge,” Brenner said.
She said that in one case, the Laundromat’s charges were comparable. In the other two, they charge more than the price she set.
“Some of the most challenging things are animal stains,” she said. “So far, it hasn’t been too bad. I fill a five-gallon bucket with hot water and sanitizer, Odoban. Sometimes I let it sit overnight. Then I wash it separately.”
If something does come up in a batch of dirty clothes that is in need of extra care, Brenner will text her customer with pictures to explain the problem.
According to Brenner, her service is very personalized. She isn’t an anonymous worker. Generally, she meets her customers.
“I go above and beyond in certain situations,” she said. “And my communication with customers is good.”
Brenner lives in Shawano with her husband and three boys. They moved here nine years ago from Missouri.
For information, call or text Brenner at 715-701-1176.
