The global dry-cleaning and laundry services market is segmented by type of service into coin-operated laundries and drycleaners, dry-cleaning and laundry services (except coin-operated), and linen and uniform supply. Of these segments, the global linen and uniform supply market was the largest in 2018, accounting for 54.2% of the total share, and worth $64.5 billion. This can be attributed to the high demand from hospitality and healthcare industries, which are the major end-user industries of the market. The global dry-cleaning and laundry services market will be driven in particular due to the growth of the hospitality sector. Gradual shift in customer spending towards tourism is expected to positively impact the hospitality sector. In order to cater to increasing tourists’ demands, hotels are coming up with new business models where the rooms are available for multiple bookings on a single day. This in turn is expected to increase the number of times a linen is changed in a hotel room on a daily basis, increasing the amount of linen to be washed after every change. This business model is expected to drive the demand for dry-cleaning and laundry services in the hospitality industry, where hotels prefer using a professional launderette to optimize operations, time, and keep quality services.

Linen and uniform supply will also be the fastest segment in the global dry cleaning and laundry services market, growing to nearly $102 billion in 2022 at an annual growth rate of more than 12%. Again, this growth rate is attributed to the increased demand from the hospitality and healthcare industries as effective laundry management in these industries is necessary, especially for linens.

Majority of cleaning requirements of bed linens used in hotels and hospitals, and uniforms of the staff in hotels, hospitals and factories are served by the dry-cleaning and laundry services industry. These establishments require regular washing in general and specialized washing in case of operation theatre uniforms in hospitals. Large presence of hospitals, hotels and factories globally is a major reason for high share of the linen and uniform supply segment.

The linen and uniform supply segment consists of laundered items such as uniforms, gowns and coats, table linens, bed linens, towels, clean room apparel, and treated mops or shop towels, which are used by customers on a rental or contract basis for the period specified in the contract. The market is sub-segmented by type into the industrial launderers market and the linen supply market. Industrial launderers was the largest segment in 2018, accounting for nearly 55% of the total share.