Laundry detergents as a Business opportunity:
So I bought the Liquid Laundry detergent recipe, what next?....
You contacted us with your basic questions
You received the answers and an invoice as a Word document
You start your new business by depositing the funds into the Standard bank account
We send you the e-book, as a Word document.
You scan the book a few times to get a feel for the recipes
You choose "How to manufacture Liquid Laundry detergent"
Print the laundry detergents recipe and laminate the page
Email Elmarie with your questions and ask for chemical supplier names
(For the chemical suppliers, please specify your area)
The chemical/ingredient names - for industrial or commercial use - have a generic name, so we don't bind you to any supplier.
Looking at the recipe - you'll need 8 ingredients + water
The 8th ingredient is Dye/Fragrance, so let your mind wander(a little bit)
As this is a liquid recipe, 60% of the product is water. With this in mind, your containers will need to be big enough for commercial production. (You did say you want a business?)
You'll need storage space, for both the "raw" ingredients and the finished product.
OK, so you bought enough ingredients for proof of concept
You got a few 200L empty drums from a friend and a few from your brother-in-law.
(The brother-in-law want it back afterwards - when you fail, and the friend said you need to supply the beer and he'll come and help you on the first batch)
Rather than the 200L drums, you have a 20L container for the 1st batch detergent. Elmarie gave you all the knowledge and support you need and your friend already opened his second beer. All set.
Weighing the ingredients - always go for the dry weight. (Again Elmarie will guide you)
On the 20L, a normal house scale will do the trick. The formula for the laundry detergent work in percentages:
Lets take SLES, the ingredient to add as a FOAM FORMER AND DEGREASER.
12% = 12kg per 100kg or 2,4kg for our 20kg starter batch - think in KG, not Liters.
Before going for the big batches, give samples to friends and family and ask them to help you test your new product. This testing step will give you the confidence to sell with a mind at ease. They must honestly tell you what they think of the actual detergent. Did you add to much fragrance or too little. We'll get to the market ideas in a bit, but your Aunt might not like the "Tobacco for real men" flavour on her bed-sheets. - You get the idea...
You need to decide on a niche market - specialize:Product ideas and your "Liquid Laundry detergent" business
So, you are a laundry detergent manufacturer now. But what next?
Below is a load of random business product ideas, create something special.
- Plastic: soft like refill sausages, or hard like bottles
- Glass: Fancy and/or coloured as in gift baskets or hampers
- What about old 2lt coke or milk bottles for cheaper market?
farmers markets - flea markets - housewives hunting for bargains - low price
bedroom sheets - target your market with words like crisp, clean, fresh
pets: from dogs to small pets - anti flea detergent (if possible)
power tool accessory - your brand is made for cleaning overalls etc.
gardener - smell of flowers or grass after a afternoon shower, without the dirt
hampers or gift packs - so cute no-one want to use it
kitchen tea or stork party hamper - pre-packed, part of household products
for baby diapers/clothes/blankets - joint venture with a baby shops, baby magazines
target your yuppie type singles with a stylish brand - men's health
dispensing machines - vending machines with a single use range of detergents
(target wishy-washy type wash-and-go places, hostels, self catering, train stations)
Think of any industry, think of any person - as each and every one wear clothes that must be washed - you just want them to use your product.
This is just a quick list, but remember - do your market research.
(There are plenty of business case tools, marketing processes etc out there, I'm just kick starting your brain, not telling you what to do, or in which sequence)
Last points:
Marketing pictures of babies, small kids or dogs always win
Research old-age homes/retirement villages for ideas on flavours/fragrances
What does the hospitals/jails use to clean their linen? Where do they get their supplies?
Supply the suppliers with stock, least hassle, bigger turnover
The detergents promise - making laundry "whiter than white"
The name "Ultra" is not brand specific - you can use it in your product name.
"Liquid Laundry detergent" technical info
Soap is not a detergent
Detergent is a cleansing substance that acts similarly to soap but is made from chemical compounds.
Ideas on using the 200L drums for some serious, affordable production.
still to come
By law, you are not allowed to resell or give away this book or material in any way.
What you do with the products(once produced), that is what I gave you an idea about in the above. Start to think business opportunity - build your own business and grow it into an "Ultra" big business empire
Any comments or questions, please let me know
Info@Ingredients.za.net
Other Laundry detergent suppliers below - get business ideas from them also.