Founded by ex-NASA scientist Dr. Kyle Grant and Thomas de Wilton in 2017, Oxwash is the world’s first future-proof and clinically clean washing service. The platform is developing processes to have zero net carbon emissions for the whole laundry process – from collection to washing and back to delivery.
Oxwash in London
In the latest development, Oxwash opened for business in London ahead of the second UK lockdown, following the brand’s success in Oxford and Cambridge. Setting up shop in Battersea, the ‘Lagoon’ will offer an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning service to the majority of SW postcodes via its blue, eco-friendly eCargo bicycles.
Kyle Grant, CEO, and co-founder said, “We’re fortunate and excited that we were able to launch ahead of the second UK lockdown this week and support our local community through the winter ahead. We are committed to bringing Londoners a service which is simple, sustainable and enjoyable to use.”
So far, the Oxford-based startup had a good year. During the pandemic Oxwash was able to service GPs and clinics due to their medical-grade laundry technology typically used in a spaceship and hospital sterilisation. It uses ozone disinfection and deodourisation technology to provide coronavirus (COVID-19) disinfection for customers in Oxford.
According to the company, it ensures the eradication of bacterial, fungal, and viral agents in customers’ items by combining ozone disinfection with thermal and biodegradable chemical processes to achieve greater than pharmaceutical-grade disinfection.
How was Oxwash born?
Oxwash was born out of frustration from the perpetually broken washing machines in Dr. Kyle Grant’s college laundry. Armed with just a bike and a backpack, Kyle started collecting and washing clothes for fellow students, this quickly snowballed into a growing on-demand laundry business as interest grew.
Partnership with EAV solutions
A few days back Oxwash announced a partnership with EAV solutions, adding the EAV bikes to their existing fleet of electric cargo bikes. The EAV 2Cubed bike is a zero-emissions cargo bike with a capacity of 2.0m³ that will enable Oxwash riders to deliver higher volumes of laundry.
Raised £1.4M
Earlier this year, the laundry and dry-cleaning startup raised £1.4 million investment from various investors including Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone. The startup also uses no-contact pickups, the use of electric-cargo bikes adapted with portable ozone generators to sterilise items, dissolvable laundry bags to eliminate coronavirus transmission through fabric and clothing.