- by Hassan
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If you've seen a video of someone in the US making money washing strangers' laundry, you've probably heard of Poplin. It used to be called SudShare. The idea is simple and pretty clever: people who own a washer and dryer do laundry for neighbours, and an app connects the two.
Then you search for it from Toronto, Mississauga or Vaughan, and it isn't there.
So this post is for you if you came looking for Poplin in Canada. I'll explain how the same idea works at Duffloo in Toronto, what's different on this side of the border, and what to check before you sign up for any laundry gig, ours included.
Is there a Poplin in Canada?
Poplin is built around American cities, and Canadians who look for it usually find it doesn't serve where they live. I can't speak for their plans, and their website is the place to check.
What I can tell you is that the model works in Toronto. Duffloo has customers booking laundry pickups across the city, and independent Washer Heroes doing the washing at home.
How it works at Duffloo
A customer books a pickup on duffloo.com or in our app and chooses how they want their things washed: the detergent (premium scented, hypoallergenic, or their own) and the drying (normal, low heat, high heat, or hang dry).
On your side:
- You see nearby orders in the Washer Hero app and accept the ones you want.
- You collect the bags from the customer's door, porch or condo front desk.
- You weigh, wash, dry and fold at home, following the customer's choices.
- You pack everything in clear, labelled bags and deliver it back, with a photo in the app as proof.
Customers expect their laundry back the next day, so you only take on what you can finish in time. There's no quota and no minimum.
What to check before joining any laundry gig
When people compare apps, they usually compare the headline number. I'd look at these instead, because they decide what your week actually feels like.
| Question to ask | How it works at Duffloo |
|---|---|
| Is there a pay floor? | Yes. Your pay never falls below minimum wage. If a week's engaged-time pay lands under the Ontario minimum, Duffloo tops up the difference. |
| Who gets the tips? | You keep 100% of every tip — Duffloo never takes a cut of a tip. |
| How often are you paid? | Weekly. The pay week ends on Friday and the money is sent the following Tuesday, through Stripe. |
| Can you choose your orders? | Yes. You set the days you're available and accept orders one by one. |
| Can you control distance? | Yes. You set your own service radius. |
| What do you pay to start? | A criminal record check (CA$34.98 through Certn) and basic supplies. GST/HST registration is free. |
| Are you an employee? | No. You're an independent contractor running your own small business. |
| Who helps when something goes wrong? | Duffloo support, which is based in Toronto, works the problem through with you and the customer. |
If an app can't answer those questions clearly, I'd be careful.
What's different in Canada
Two requirements surprise people who have read about the US version.
A police check. You'll be going to people's homes and handling their belongings, so every Washer Hero needs a criminal record check before their first order. Most do it online through Certn, our screening partner, and we tell you exactly when to start it. Here's how the police check works in Ontario.
GST/HST registration. In Canada, independent contractors deal with sales tax. The CRA lets very small businesses wait to register, but Duffloo's Hero agreement asks every Hero to register before activation. It's free and mostly online. I've written up how to register for GST/HST as a gig worker, step by step.
Neither is hard. They just add a few days between applying and your first order: We review your address within 1 business day, then walk you through your police clearance and training — most Heroes are taking orders within 3 to 5 days.
About the money
Pay is per order. Our most active Heroes have earned over $5,000 in a month — that is not typical, and it takes a full schedule with larger loads. Earnings are not guaranteed and depend on the orders you accept and complete, order size, and your area.
I'd treat it the way you'd treat any gig: start with a few orders, see how long they take you, and decide from there how much of your week you want to give it.
For the first few Heroes who join now: $25 bonus after your first 2 completed orders — first 8 Heroes only.
If you've done laundry gigs before
Experience carries over well. You already know how long a load really takes, how to fold a fitted sheet, and how to keep customers' clothes apart. A few habits are specific to us:
- Customers choose detergent and drying settings per order, and they're shown with the order. Follow them every time, even if you'd do it differently.
- Bags are clear, about 75 litres, with no drawstrings, and every bag is labelled.
- Weigh before you wash. Accurate weights keep pricing fair for the customer.
- The delivery photo matters. It's your proof the order arrived.
You'll still go through our 7 short training modules. Experienced people tend to get through them quickly.
What you need
- Your own washer and dryer that work reliably, plus a rack or line for air-drying
- A smoke-free laundry area and a pet-free place to fold
- A basic scale, detergent, clear bags and labels
- Reliable transportation for pickups and drop-offs
- To be 18 or older, allowed to work in Canada, and living in one of our service areas
Where Duffloo operates
Toronto's Etobicoke, Scarborough, North York, East York, Downtown and Midtown, East End and Beaches, and West End and York, plus Concord, just north of the city. If you're in Mississauga, Markham or Brampton, we aren't there yet.
See the open Washer Hero roles in North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Downtown and Midtown and Concord, or apply to become a Washer Hero. Applying takes about 10 minutes.
FAQ
Is Duffloo the same company as Poplin? No. Duffloo is a separate Toronto company with no connection to Poplin or SudShare.
Can I do laundry for Duffloo outside Toronto? Only in the areas listed above for now. If you live elsewhere in the GTA, join the waitlist on the Washer Hero page and we'll email you when your area opens.
Do I need a car? You need a dependable way to carry bags to and from customers. A car is the easiest, but many orders are close by because you set your own radius.
Can I use a laundromat instead of my own machines? No. Washer Heroes use their own machines at home, so you control how each load is handled.
Poplin and SudShare are trademarks of their owners. Duffloo is not affiliated with them.
Hassan is the CEO of Duffloo, the Toronto laundry pickup and delivery service. He writes about how the service works behind the scenes, including what it takes to become a Washer Hero.
