From a Garage Laundrette to Lovely Laundry: Sam’s Story Behind The Ironing Man
Meet Sam, the founder of The Ironing Man, and discover how his laundry business grew from a garage operation into Lovely Laundry’s professional facility.
Some local businesses begin with a large premises and a polished launch. The Ironing Man began with a handful of customers.
Sam took on the business in 2014 and built it steadily. As demand grew, he set up a small laundrette in his mum’s garage to keep up with the work. It was a practical solution, but it also marked the beginning of something much bigger.
The business grew to the point where Sam felt able to spend time in Australia while it continued to operate. Then Covid brought him home and prompted him to rethink how customers could use the service. The team developed an app-based way to arrange collection and delivery, making it easier for people to fit laundry into their day.
At the start of 2026, Sam purchased a full laundry facility. The operation now trades as Lovely Laundry NE Ltd: a remarkable move from a garage laundrette to a professional facility serving customers across the wider area.
Laundry that fits around real life
A laundry service can be particularly helpful when you’re away from home. You might be working long shifts, travelling with only a small bag or staying in Darlington for several weeks. Rather than finding time to visit a laundrette, you can check whether The Ironing Man can collect from your location.
The Ironing Man offers app-based booking for collection and delivery. Customers can also arrange a pickup through its website. Lovely Laundry handles services including laundry, ironing and dry cleaning; check the booking options and prices for the items you need.
Allow a minimum of 48 hours for turnaround. Collection availability and the time your order will be returned should be confirmed when booking, particularly if you need work clothes or an outfit for a specific day.
Visit The Ironing Man to book a pickup or download the app
A useful option for Room Ready Stays guests
Room Ready Stays guests already have access to laundry facilities at the property. But sometimes you’d rather have someone else take care of a larger load, ironing or specialist items. The Ironing Man gives guests another option to explore during a longer visit.
The service is booked and paid for directly with The Ironing Man. Enter your collection location in its booking system to check coverage and available times; Room Ready Stays does not arrange the collection or set the service price.
Can I arrange laundry collection while staying in Darlington?
You can check collection availability with The Ironing Man through its website or app. Enter the address where you are staying and choose from the available services and pickup times. Plan for a minimum 48-hour turnaround and confirm the return time before placing an order. All prices are clearly displayed.
Discover more local stories during your stay
We enjoy introducing Room Ready Stays guests to the people and businesses that make the area useful and interesting to visit. Sam’s story is a good example: a small service built through persistence, adapted when circumstances changed and grown into a professional operation.
You can find more local places and ideas in the Room Ready Stays Darlington blog. If you’re planning a visit, check accommodation availability directly for your dates.