Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services NAICS 812320

Aug 22, 2025 - Employment Falls, Wages Rise

• According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment by dry cleaning and laundry services fell 1.2% in June 2025 compared to a year ago. In the past decade, employment by dry cleaning and laundry services dropped 33.5%, much lower than the 13.6% growth in overall private employment in the same period. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees at dry cleaning and laundry services increased 4.7% in June 2025 compared to a year ago, reaching $19.95 per hour. Total revenue for dry cleaning and laundry services rose nearly 4% in Q4 2024 compared to a year ago and was up 2.3% from the previous quarter, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau. According to the Consumer Price Index released by the BLS, the cost of laundry and dry cleaning services increased 5% in July 2025 compared to a year ago and grew 0.3% from the previous month.
• According to American Drycleaner, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reopened its perchloroethylene (perc or PCE) regulations for public comment following several legal challenges. The EPA asked specifically for public comment on any existing or anticipated implementation issues associated with the final rule requirements, experiences with the PCE final rule since it went into effect, and whether to consider additional or alternative measures or approaches to address the unreasonable risk presented by PCE under the conditions of use. Public comment will be accepted through the end of August 2025. The EPA has provided a 10-year phase out plan for using PCE in dry cleaning and spot cleaning. The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) said it would monitor the reconsideration process undertaken by the EPA. “DLI remains committed to working closely with the EPA to ensure that any forthcoming regulations offer practical, achievable control measures for the drycleaning industry,” said DLI CEO Mary Scalco.

• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers show mixed signals, with consumer confidence levels slightly up and consumer sentiment falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, improved in July 2025, month over month, rising by 2 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels have stabilized since May but remain lower than last year’s, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. July’s gain can be attributed to consumers over 35 years old and shared across all income groups, except the lowest income group earning below $15K. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.6 in preliminary August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.
• According to a report in American Drycleaner, dry cleaners have an opportunity to tailor their message to attract younger consumers. Dry cleaners can develop messaging around thrifted finds popular with younger consumers, such as getting a “start fresh” with a secondhand purchase by dry cleaning it before wearing. Dry cleaning may also preserve an item’s future resale value, which is important to young people who often resell their clothes. Convenience is also expected by younger consumers, so offering self-service 24/7 drop boxes, delivery services, and wash-and-fold laundry services may help the business stand out. Using technology that a younger audience is comfortable with is key, including offering payment options such as Apple Pay, incorporating text notifications for communications, and using apps that have delivery integration with DoorDash. Younger consumers may also need an introduction to dry cleaning services since they have not had as much exposure as older generations.