DormAid Cleans Out Closets

Fifty-two years after Harvard College said that maids would stop making students’ beds, undergrads can once again call a housekeeper to their dorm for laundry and room cleaning.

While University officials said in 1954 that continued maid service would cost the school $150,000 a year—or about $1.04 million in 2005 dollars—students can now summon a worker to wash their laundry for $19.95.

Now fresh and folded clothes join pepperoni pizza and Peking duck among the items that students can have delivered straight to their doors.

The student-run start-up DormAid, in its continued effort to compete with the well-established Harvard Student Agencies Cleaners, launched the “A La Carte Laundry and Room Cleaning Service” this past weekend, offering emergency housekeeping assistance to students who aren’t signed up for a long-term plan. Customers can have their laundry picked up from their dorm room and returned within two business days.

Even though the $19.95 a la carte option is pricier on a per-bag basis than the full-semester rate—which averages $14.95 for one bag a week—DormAid directors cite students’ needs for more convenient and flexible services as the reason for this new program.

“We introduced the a la carte service to Harvard students specifically this week since everyone is cramming for midterms and finishing papers,” said Robert D. Cecot ’08, chief marketing officer of DormAid. “This will help make their week as easy as possible,”

Harvard administrators decided to allow DormAid to compete with HSA’s cleaning service on Sept. 25 of this year.

On Monday morning, Harvard students received an e-mail from DormAid advertising this new service. According to Cecot, DormAid obtained access to Harvard e-mail addresses through an e-mail marketing business that targets college students. Three Harvard students signed up for the a la carte service almost immediately after it was posted on DormAid’s site Friday night, Cecot said, adding that the service has attracted a “steady flow” of customers since.

Some students, however, still believe the rates are too expensive. “I just deleted the e-mail. Every college student should be able to do their own laundry,” said Asher A. Fredman ’07.

Others agree, but still seem interested in DormAid’s services. “The a la carte service sounds expensive, but I guess you pay for the convenience,” said Vijay G. Warrier ’09.

DormAid trucks run through the Harvard campus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, according to the service’s website.