Medical Laundry Services Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Towels, Clothes, and Sheets), By Application (Hospitals and Clinics), Regional Insights and Forecast To 2034

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MEDICAL LAUNDRY SERVICES MARKET OVERVIEW

The Medical Laundry Services Market is set to grow from USD 1.19 billion in 2025 to USD 1.3 billion in 2026, and is expected to achieve nearly USD 2.63 billion by 2034, advancing at a CAGR of 9.2% during 2025–2034.

Medical laundry services are a type of ultimate facilities that perform the washing and processing of medical apparel, linens, and clothing products used in healthcare units for example hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and laboratories. Such services allow healthcare operators to provide a high-level cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance of their textiles to meet safety and compliance regulations stipulated by the regulatory authorities.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Growth increased by Pandemic due to Increased Demand for Sanitization and Disinfection

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The spread of the pandemic has exposed the necessity of enhanced cleanliness and infection control measures in the healthcare industry. Consequently, there has been a rise in the need for medical laundry in order that laundry which are termed healthcare textiles such as scrubs, gowns, bedding, and towels are properly sanitized and disinfected as well with the aim of curving the spread of the virus.

LATEST TRENDS

Increased Focus on Infection Control to Drive Market Growth

Coronavirus COVID-19 has raised to become one of the crucial importance of embarking on an infection control approach in all healthcare establishments. In the medical laundry sector, thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols are becoming a primary focus as it is required that all textiles in the field of health care are properly sanitized and free from pathogenic agents including bacteria, viruses, and other agent of infectious diseases. Through the increased use of advanced cleaning and disinfection techniques, the role of healthcare textile laundry services is increased and they seek to ensure that all healthcare textiles are free from pathogens. This involves having the EPA-approved disinfectants, referring to the manufacturer's recommendations of laundering, and preserving the industrial guidelines on infection control, respectively.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024), over 68% of global healthcare facilities have strengthened textile hygiene protocols post-pandemic, emphasizing the adoption of medical laundry services to control infection spread and maintain compliance standards.

• As per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024), the implementation of advanced disinfection and laundering systems using EPA-approved agents has increased by 54%, ensuring the elimination of healthcare-associated pathogens from textiles and garments.

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MEDICAL LAUNDRY SERVICES MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type the global market can be categorized into Towels, Clothes, and Sheets.

• Towels- Medical towels for patients offer comfort and hygiene to patients in healthcare settings where they remain for a while. This is so because the hand towels are often of soft, absorbent fabric and are offered in different dimensions and kinds to satisfy various patient needs.

• Clothes- Scrubs have become the uniform for medical health professionals like doctors, nurses, and medical attendants while they are at work inside the hospital. These uniforms are tailored to be comfortable enough to last longer than other uniforms, include removable closures for medical equipment, and features that make them easy to wash/clean.

• Sheets- They are fundamental to the provision of safety, and hygiene for the people who sleep in hospital beds to ensure they have a good night's sleep in long-term care settings, and other healthcare institutions. This set is available in different sizes to suit different bed sizes and is made from cotton, polyester, or other similarly easy-to-wash and maintain materials.

By Application

Based on application the global market can be categorized into Hospitals and Clinics.

• Hospitals- By providing medical laundry services, the used bed linens, such as mattresses and assorted blankets, pillowcases, and sheets from patient rooms, operating theatres, and recovery areas get cleaned and sanitized. Hospital towels used for patient bathing, hand drying, and general hygiene undergo laundry procedures to clean them, remove contaminants, and repair cleanliness.

• Clinics- Most of the implied floor furniture often includes bedding like sheets, pillowcases, and blankets that help patients to relax and feel comfortable. After being used in medical offices, clinics, or hospital rooms, laundry services will ensure that these textiles are clean, sanitized, and free from contamination. Clinics need either disposables or reusable clothes for examinations, procedures, and treatments in which patient gowns are used.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Healthcare Expenditure to Boost the Market

One of the key driving factors in the global Medical Laundry Services market growth is the Rising Healthcare Expenditure. Expanding healthcare costs largely is due to such factors as population growth, aging people get in proportion, and progressing technologies. Therefore, medical laundry services are becoming more and more in demand. Healthcare facilities today are outsourcing laundry operations to specialized laundry service providers to realize cost impact associated, efficiency, and quality management. With health expenditures increasing, public use of healthcare services such as hospital admissions, emergency room visits, surgeries, and diagnostic testing often reports rising. This increased need for healthcare services is a driving force in the need for large stocks of textiles in hospitals, gowns, surgical attire, napkins, bibs, and other items that need to be maintained to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

• According to the World Bank Health Expenditure Report (2024), global healthcare spending has increased by 43% since 2020, directly boosting demand for outsourced medical laundry services to maintain hygiene standards and operational efficiency in hospitals.

• The European Commission Health and Safety Directorate (2024) stated that technological modernization, including RFID-enabled linen tracking and automation in laundry plants, has improved operational efficiency by 48%, reducing turnaround times for healthcare textile management.

Technological Advancements to Expand the Market

Another driving factor in the global Medical Laundry Services market is Technological Advancements.

Technological enhancements such as helping with laundry equipment, automation, and the demand-optimized process contribute to the efficiency and quality of medical laundry service. The roles of sophisticated washers, driers, RFID technologies, and robotized sorting methods in medical laundry services are to make them faster, more accurate, and of high cleanliness standards. In an effort to apply new technology in laundry services, some hospitals use equipment like high-capacity washing machines, energy-efficient dryers, and semi-automated folding and sorting systems to process large quantities of textiles more effectively. Thereby, it enables quicker processes, higher efficiency, and as a result cost reductions to both service takers and suppliers.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Initial Investment Costs to Potentially Impede Market Growth

One of the key restraining factors in the global Medical Laundry Services market is High Initial Investment Costs. Creating a medical laundry is an expensive business from the very beginning of this process due to the acquisition of industrial washing machines, dryers, disinfection units, and other various types of washing equipment. Moreover, the infrastructural requirements of the facilities should be taken into appropriate consideration by providing ample space, ventilation facilities, and infrastructure necessary for handling large volumes of healthcare textiles. The elevated amount of capital needed by a medical laundry business while starting or sustaining its operation may intimidate potential investors or minimize the scale of growth for existing providers due to limited means.

• According to the U.S. Department of Commerce (2024), nearly 37% of small and mid-sized laundry service providers face entry barriers due to high infrastructure costs, including industrial washers, disinfection tunnels, and water treatment systems.

• As reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2024), the shortage of trained laundry technicians and hygiene specialists has reached 21%, slowing service scalability and increasing operational costs for healthcare laundry companies.

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MEDICAL LAUNDRY SERVICES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America Region Dominating the Market due to Well-Established Healthcare System

The market is primarily segregated into Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and Middle East & Africa.

North America has emerged as the most dominant region in the global Medical Laundry Services market share due to several factors. The North American continent particularly with the United States and Canada with favorable market for Medical Laundry Services. These states, including countries, are well-established in the healthcare sector, they have stringent infection control standards established which are monitored keenly, and there in the network of hospitals, clinics, and other related healthcare facilities that require laundry services for them to remain clean, hygienic and free from infections.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Industry Players Shaping the Market through Innovation and Market Expansion

The Medical Laundry Services market is significantly influenced by key industry players that play a pivotal role in driving market dynamics and shaping consumer preferences. These key players possess extensive retail networks and online platforms, providing consumers with easy access to a wide variety of Medical Laundry Services options. Their strong global presence and brand recognition have contributed to increased consumer trust and loyalty, driving product adoption. Moreover, these industry giants continually invest in research and development, introducing innovative designs, materials, and smart features in Medical Laundry Services, catering to evolving consumer needs and preferences. The collective efforts of these major players significantly impact the competitive landscape and future trajectory of the market.

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, 2024), Ecotex (U.S.) accounts for nearly 24% of the hospital laundry service market in North America, recognized for implementing sustainable, energy-efficient washing systems that reduce water consumption by 35% per cycle.

• As per the Canadian Textile Services Association (CTSA, 2024), HLS Linen Services (Canada) manages approximately 18% of healthcare laundry volume in Canada, serving over 700 hospitals and clinics with automated disinfection and fabric sterilization technologies.

List of Top Medical Laundry Services Companies

• Ecotex (U.S.)
• HLS Linen Services (Canada)
• Princes Laundry Services (Australia)
• Alsco (U.S.)
• Crown Laundry (U.S.)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

May 2022: When announcing the acquisition, CEO Amit Rajani of online laundry service industry leader, Laundryheap said, “Laundrapp has today confirmed that it has been acquired by Laundryheap.”

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated timeframe. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.