dobi

Dobi is a term for a person who washes and irons other people's clothes for a fee. It is commonly used in South Asia, especially in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and is related to the Hindi-Urdu word dhobi. The dobi is often linked to a traditional washerman profession that in many regions sits within hereditary dhobi communities, though today people from diverse backgrounds may work as dobi.

Work and settings: Dobi services may operate as standalone laundry shops, mobile wash services, or as part of larger laundries. Traditional washing involves collecting garments, soaking, scrubbing or beating on a stone or wooden surface, rinsing, wringing, and drying items in the sun. For delicate fabrics, washing may be done by hand; ironing is typically done with heated irons.

Open-air dhobi ghats are well-known in several cities, notably the Mumbai Dhobi Ghat, where groups of washers process large volumes of laundry in communal facilities. In urban areas, dobi businesses increasingly adopt detergents, washing machines, steam cleaning, and dry-cleaning equipment to meet modern demand while continuing some traditional methods for certain items.

Economic and social context: Dobi workers often operate as small-business owners or employees within a broader laundry network. The occupation has historical and sociocultural associations in South Asia and may face economic precarity or social stigma in some communities. Government welfare schemes, professional associations, and NGOs sometimes address welfare and training needs for dobi workers.

The tradition remains a visible part of urban life in South Asia, with many dobi services serving households, hotels, and institutions, while modern cleaning technologies expand the range of services available.