There is a lot to do in Lavanderia: A free samba show at Pedra do Sal has a storied past, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio showcases some of the city’s best Brutalist architecture, and Ipanema Beach is one of Brazil’s most delightful places. There’s also a new artisan fair at Feira do Lavradio, where locals pick up unique handmade Indigenous crafts for as little as 10 reis (about $2). And for art lovers, the new Favela Hype offers an array of thoughtfully restored midcentury furniture.
Professional Laundry in Rio de Janeiro: Refreshing Your Wardrobe with Ease
Still, the Cariocas — as the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro are called — tend to wear very little clothing. They don’t wear shoes or socks on the beach, and they respect the power of the South American sun, applying regular sunblock and avoiding farmer tans. If they do get burned, they don’t slather on the painkillers. Instead, they drink a sugary mixture of cachaca (Brazil’s famed sugarcane liquor), passion fruit and ginger, known as mamata.
Niccolini says the growing middle class in Brazil is driving demand for cleaning franchises and conservation services, but he’s also aware that tariffs and other regulations make it more expensive to import washer-extractors and dryers from abroad. Despite that, the industry is optimistic about the future. “We believe that as more people are becoming wealthier, they will be interested in better quality and service,” he says. “And this is something that we can provide.”