By Betsy Brewer Brantner
Contributing Writer

Just in time for back to school, Sudsy Mama comes along to help with all those dirty clothes. Kennett Square resident Olivia Westley came up with a great idea to help with the one chore that is never done—laundry.

She's a mother of three, with a set of twins and a young infant. Obviously, she has a lot of laundry.

Like many mothers these days, she is always thinking of another way to make some extra money, but still stay at home with her children.

“I remember in October of 2023 I started to wonder how I could do something to make extra money,” she said. “That's when I actually started thinking about laundry. I was starting a business when I found out I was pregnant again. Now here I am, helping other moms.”

Her business helps moms by doing the laundry, but also by employing other mothers looking to make extra money.

“I remember Googling how much people would pay to have their laundry done. After that, I was off,” she said. “I was pregnant when we launched the business. I wanted to stay at home with the baby for the first year and I did.”

She explained, “I have pickup and delivery within a 30-mile radius of Kennett Square. I have 10 other moms that work for me out of their house. They are independent contractors. We wash and dry and fold. If some people request it, we'll even put the clean laundry away. That service is extra. I think other mothers appreciate the care we give to their clothes. We have special items that need hand-drying, and washed on the delicate cycle. And we do that.”

Westley added, “We have a weekly or bi-weekly rate, or for someone whose washer has broken and just needs us one time. We charge $2 a pound for someone that is using us on a regular base, or $2.15 a pound for a one-time user.”

Sudsy Mama currently serves around 50 families. 

“Those families feel better when they realize we are mothers,” she said. “They know the care we put into our job. I really felt God had a plan when I started this.”

Westley previously worked as a development director for Forgotten Cats, and she feels that what she learned there can be useful in her own business.

“We have the same problems as all mothers, such as childcare and cleaning,” she explained. “I have someone that cleans for me now, and I also spend $36,000 a year for childcare. That is pretty much the going rate for good childcare.”

The other moms are stay-at-home moms with side gigs. Some of them have more than one job. 

“I feel like we are supporting moms with our service and by hiring other moms to work for us,” she said. “They can work at home and spend time with their children.”

Her plan for the future is to continue to grow, both in service and in hiring.

“I'd like to eventually do all of Chester County and to expand to Delaware,” Westley explained. “I’m an official LLC, and fully insured. Those that work for me are independent contractors. We also do commercial laundry for salons, massage therapists, and hotels.”

She still loves cats and most of her clients have cats. Recently, she found one at a drop-off which she picked up. He is being adopted soon.

If you would like help with your laundry, Sudsy Mama can be reached by phone at 610-763-5711.  She also has a website at thesudsymama.com.