Our Story

At the age of 23, Catherine Folie, a washerwoman in Etterbeek, decided to start her own business. With only 20 francs borrowed from her mother, she rented a small kitchen and a cellar. Equipped with an iron basin, a cast-iron iron, and unwavering courage, she lived and worked in this modest, windowless two-room space.

Space quickly became insufficient, and a move was necessary: off to Chaussée de Waterloo, in the Bascule district. Supported by her first two workers, Catherine grew her business with determination. The quality of her work soon attracted the Brussels bourgeoisie, who became the core of her clientele.

Madame Folie then undertook the construction of the current workshop, located on Chaussée de Boondael. At the time, deliveries were carried out using a horse-drawn cart, while coal to fuel the boiler was brought directly from Etterbeek station.

During the Second World War, the laundry employed up to 40 people. Driven by a profound sense of solidarity, Madame Folie opens its doors to the most disadvantaged, offering them the opportunity to work and earn a modest living despite the difficulties of the time.

During the Second World War, the laundry employed up to 40 people. Driven by a deep sense of solidarity, Madame Folie opened her doors to the most disadvantaged, offering them the chance to work and earn a modest living despite the hardships of the time.Faute de succession familiale, les affaires furent remises à un autre famille de blanchisseurs de la région, les Mahaut. Trop à l’étroit dans leur atelier de Watermael, les Mahaut trouvent, en reprenant la Petite Suisse, un atelier de grande taille et une clientèle parfaitement complémentaire à la leur.

he two workshops where we still operate today have undergone countless adjustments, transformations, and adaptations over the years. The second generation of the Mahaut family—four people driven by the same passion—took over the reins of the company, managing it with a deep commitment to the founding values.

It is now the turn of the third Mahaut generation, together with the Geurts family, to carry the adventure forward. Their mission: to digitize the sector while preserving the spirit and expertise of the Laundry. Today, the company has around 35 employees and serves more than 250 clients each month, both private and professional: restaurants, caterers, nurseries, heavy industries, retirement homes, hotels, Airbnb accommodations, and many more.