What Your Laundry Service Isn’t Telling You (And Why You Should Ask)
Laundry services all sound the same, right? They pick up, wash, fold, and drop off. Easy. But here’s the catch: not all laundry providers are created equal. Some cut corners, some hide practices you wouldn’t love, and some rely on marketing fluff instead of real accountability.
That’s why asking the right questions is so important. The best way to protect your clothes, linens, or hotel inventory is to know what’s really happening behind the scenes.
Here are the top questions to ask a laundry service—and why OrangeBag is proud to answer them all with honesty, clarity, and a smile.
Are You Green Certified, or Just “Eco-Friendly”?
If you’ve ever asked yourself, is my laundry service eco-friendly, you’re not alone. “Eco-friendly” has become one of the most overused (and under-regulated) labels in the industry. Any company can slap it on their website without having to prove a thing.
Here’s the difference:
Eco-friendly → Marketing language. It could mean one small change (like switching to paper receipts) or absolutely nothing.
Green Certified → Audited by independent organizations to verify water conservation, energy efficiency, chemical use, and waste reduction.
When comparing green certified vs eco-friendly laundry, it’s the difference between a self-made promise and an actual, regulated standard.
OrangeBag is proud to be the only Green Certified laundry service in Los Angeles, California. For us, it’s not about trends—it’s about real accountability.
Do You Share Linens Between Clients?
This one is a biggie for businesses like gyms, spas, or hotels. Many commercial laundry providers cut costs by cycling towels or linens between different clients. It sounds unbelievable, but it happens more often than you’d think.
That’s one of the biggest laundry service red flags. Guests expect—and deserve—fresh, hygienic linens that have only ever belonged to your business.
At OrangeBag, we never share or cycle linens between clients. If you rent towels from us, they are yours and yours alone. If you send in your own linens, they are washed separately from anyone else’s. Hygiene and trust are non-negotiable.
What Detergents Do You Use?
Another overlooked but important question: what’s in the soap? Most commercial laundries still rely on harsh chemical detergents loaded with phosphates, synthetic fragrances, and brighteners. Sure, they may get clothes looking “white,” but at a cost:
They weaken fibers faster.
They leave irritating residues on fabrics.
They release harmful chemicals into the water supply.
If your laundry comes back with a heavy perfume smell, that’s a classic laundry service red flag. It’s often masking the fact that items aren’t fully clean—or worse, it’s pumping chemicals into your fabrics that you then wear against your skin.
OrangeBag takes a different approach. We use non-toxic laundry detergents that are plant-based, biodegradable, and fragrance-free. They’re tough on stains but gentle on your skin, your clothes, and the environment.
Where Is My Laundry Processed?
Here’s a question many people don’t think to ask: where does my laundry actually go?
Some providers in LA ship laundry out of town—or even out of state—to big industrial facilities. That means:
Longer turnaround times.
Higher risk of items being lost or damaged in transit.
A bigger carbon footprint from unnecessary shipping.
If you want true eco-friendly laundry in Los Angeles, your items should be washed and folded right here at home.
OrangeBag processes everything locally in Los Angeles. No cross-country shipping. No third-party plants. Just local pros handling your items with care in the community we serve.
Do You Use Plastic Bags?
Single-use plastic bags are one of the laundry industry’s dirtiest habits. They pile up in landfills, break down into microplastics, and create unnecessary waste for every load of laundry.
That’s why you should always ask this as part of your questions to ask the laundry service.
At OrangeBag, we ditched plastic for good. We use reusable OrangeBags only, which means your laundry travels safely without adding to the plastic problem. It’s part of our mission to make sustainable laundry service in LA a reality.
Can I Speak to the Owner?
This one might surprise you, but it matters more than you think. Many laundry providers are big chains or faceless corporations. If you have an issue, you’re stuck in customer service loops or waiting days for an answer.
That lack of accountability is another one of those laundry service red flags.
OrangeBag is locally owned and operated, and yes—you can speak directly to the GM (me!) or our leadership team. We believe transparency means more than clean clothes—it means open communication.
Why These Questions Matter
Asking these questions isn’t about being picky. It’s about protecting your health, your clothes, your budget, and your peace of mind. Whether you’re a busy family in Echo Park, a small business in Silver Lake, or a 3-star hotel in Hollywood, you deserve a laundry service that is upfront about its practices.
Choosing a provider without asking these questions? That’s how you end up with hidden fees, harsh chemicals, mixed linens, and disappointing results.
At OrangeBag, we welcome these conversations. We want you to know that your laundry is in safe, certified, sustainable hands.
Laundry may seem like a simple service, but it touches your daily life more than you realize. From the towels your kids use to the linens your hotel guests sleep on, you should know exactly how they’re being cared for.
So, the next time you’re shopping for laundry services, remember the big six:
Are you Green Certified?
Do you share linens?
What detergents do you use?
Where is laundry processed?
Do you use plastic bags?
Can I speak to the owner?
If the provider can’t answer confidently—or dodges the questions—that’s a red flag.
👉 At OrangeBag, we answer all these questions—and more—with pride. Ask us anything.
We’re here to deliver laundry that’s cleaner for you, safer for your family or business, and better for the planet.
