A Dream Born on a Napkin: The Story of Skoon™ Laundromats

It all began in 2018 with a beboti-stained restaurant napkin and a simple idea: “Do laundry the way mom used to.” This unassuming start marked the birth of what would become Skoon™ Laundromats. Founders Matthew Kelly, a sound engineer, and Carl van Niekerk, a hospitality professional with a dual background in film production and hotel management, turned this dream into a bold venture.

Their journey gained momentum during the challenges of 2020. As the world grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic, Carl and Matthew were busy transforming a Cape Town hotel into a self-isolation facility. It was a time of innovation and grit, driven by the stark reality of needing to survive. “Nothing motivates you like the idea of doing whatever it takes not to starve,” they say.

Between 2020 and 2021, the duo poured their energy into refining their vision. For Matthew, who had always loved laundry, the dream began as a modest plan for a small laundromat. But Carl’s drive to create something extraordinary pushed the idea far beyond its humble beginnings. “Ordinary isn’t an option, why not world class” Carl said.

In 2022, the pair formally registered their holding company, Laundry Collection (Pty) Ltd. They spent countless weekends researching, observing laundromats, scouting locations, and navigating the challenges of securing funding in a climate often resistant to new businesses. “We quickly learned how many doors close for startups,” Matthew recalls. “But all it took was one person believing in us to set everything in motion.”

By late 2023, their dream was realized with the opening of a state-of-the-art laundromat blending inspiration from the hospitality and medical industries. Skoon™ Laundromats delivered more than just clean clothes—it provided customers with transparency, advanced cleaning technologies, impeccable hygiene, and unparalleled service.

In September 2024, Carl joined the business full-time, and the company unveiled its rebranded identity as Skoon™ Laundromats in October of 2024. With a vision to set a global standard, Carl and Matthew’s sights are now set on franchising by the end of 2025. “What we offer shouldn’t just be our concept—it should be an expectation for all laundromats,” they say.

At its heart, Skoon™ is about one promise: “Laundry done right.” From their beginnings scribbled on a napkin to an industry-leading laundromat, the journey of Skoon™ continues, one load of laundry at a time.