Pesukauppa

Pesukauppa refers to the professional cleaning and laundering services sector in Finland. The term is formed from pesu (wash) and kauppa (shop or trade) and is used mainly in industry contexts or historical descriptions for businesses that offer washing, ironing, dry cleaning, and related textile care for customers and institutions. In everyday Finnish, such services are more commonly referred to as pesula or pesulapalvelut, but pesukauppa appears in business registries, trade journals, and encyclopedic summaries.

Services typically offered include washing of everyday textiles for households, dry cleaning (kuiva pesu) for fabrics requiring solvent-based cleaning, ironing and finishing, and sometimes linen rental or textile care for hospitality and healthcare. Broader offerings may include industrial laundry for large-volume clients, and some operators provide pick-up and delivery. Self-service laundries exist in certain areas, but professional services are usually provided by full-service laundries and dry cleaners.

Environmental and regulatory aspects cover water and energy use, chemical handling, and waste management. Modern operators emphasize sustainability, employing energy-efficient machines, environmentally friendly detergents, recycling practices, and reduced solvent use where applicable.

Market dynamics in Finland reflect urban concentration, demand for convenience and sustainability, and the outsourcing of laundry work by businesses such as hotels, hospitals, and restaurants. The pesukauppa landscape is increasingly influenced by digital ordering, scheduling, and delivery services, as well as trends toward textile care as part of the broader circular economy.