Richard and Elizabeth Lorenzo of Soapy Splash. JONATHAN YBEREA/EXPAT MEDIA

On any given day, Soapy Splash Laundry hums with the rhythm of relentless productivity—industrial washing machines churning, fresh linen being ironed and packed, vans heading out with crisp hotel sheets, restaurant aprons, and luxury suits. At the helm of this high-powered 24/7 operation is a Filipino couple who started with one washing machine and a dream. Meet Richard and Elizabeth Lorenzo, the husband-and-wife team behind Soapy Splash Laundry in Jebel Ali. Richard and Elizabeth met in high school in Cagayan Valley and began dating in college. "He was quiet but strong," Elizabeth tells Expat Media. Richard was drawn to her headstrong nature. “She was a bit of a tomboy back then,” he laughs. After getting married, the couple ran a fashion boutique, but Elizabeth always knew they were meant for something more. “I kept telling him to dream big,” she says. “I pushed him every day to reach his potential.” Richard admits, “At that time, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do in life. But she kept saying we needed to grow and not be left behind.” In 2011, Richard flew to Dubai with the help of his mother, who was working at a laundry company in the emirate. “I told her I would do any job,” he says. Within weeks, he landed work folding clothes. Thanks to his English skills, his boss moved him to the sales department. After two months of intensive training, he became a sales attendant and never looked back. Elizabeth followed six months later, though reluctant at first. “He told me he needed my help,” she says. She found a job as a teaching assistant, which she held for nine years. Richard, meanwhile, spent a decade learning every facet of the laundry business—technical, sales, and management. “I didn’t just work for the salary,” he explains. “I worked to improve myself.”

From folding laundry to running the show

When Richard felt ready, he presented Elizabeth with a business proposal. “He said we could use it to get investors. And it worked,” she beams. Soapy Splash began humbly in October 2022, with laundry being washed at home and outsourced to larger laundries. “Our first sale was Dh1,500,” Elizabeth recalls. “There were nights we only got two hours of sleep.” They picked up and delivered the laundry themselves, checked quality, handled customer service, and managed the finances. Their dedication paid off—repeat clients kept coming, and soon they were catering to hotels, salons, gyms, and even yachts. By 2023, they opened a two-storey laundry factory in Jebel Ali. “Clients started outsourcing their laundry to us,” Elizabeth says proudly. “The same way we once did when we were just starting.” 100%

What sets Soapy Splash apart?

“We treat every item with care, no matter how expensive or delicate,” says Elizabeth. That includes Dh300,000 wedding gowns, Dh60,000 suits, and luxury bags and shoes. Filipino attention to cleanliness, she believes, gives them a competitive edge. “We never say no to any laundry job, no matter how challenging.” Today, Soapy Splash has 40,000 regular clients, with 45 staff working in two shifts covering customer service and production, says Elizabeth. Their services run 24/7, and they’ve become the go-to for holiday homes, clinics, and hospitality businesses across the UAE. Richard and Elizabeth remember their humble beginnings. That’s why they now welcome start-up laundry companies to outsource their work through Soapy Splash—offering competitive rates and mentorship. “We tell them, If we could grow our business, so can you,” says Elizabeth. Their biggest milestones? “We gave our investors a full return,” she says. “And we’re proud to be Filipino business owners in a city where most of our kababayans come just to work.” The nicest thing you found in someone’s dirty laundry? "Money! The biggest we found was $1,500," Elizabeth says with a guffaw. "There was also a black American Express card We always return whatever we find to the owners, no matter how big or small the amount. This is our protocol," she explains. 100%

From Satwa to their dream home

The couple once lived in a tiny room in Satwa, sharing space and dreaming of something bigger. Now, they live in a spacious house in Jebel Ali Downtown. “It’s so big we can run around and play tag,” Richard jokes. They still find joy in the simple things—camping at Love Lakes on Saturdays, visiting family in Ajman, and walking through old haunts in Satwa to remind themselves of how far they’ve come. Working together as life partners isn’t always easy. “The pressure is real,” Elizabeth admits. “Especially during salary time, we both carry the weight because paying our employees on time is a priority.” But over time, they’ve built a rhythm—balancing stress with teamwork and shared goals. “I used to be shy,” Richard says. “Now I take charge. I want my family to be surprised by the man I’ve become.” They dream of expanding their brand across the UAE—and one day, launching a branch in the Philippines. “We want to make Soapy Splash the number one laundry company in the UAE,” he says. Beyond laundry? “We love coffee,” says Elizabeth. “I want to open my own coffee shop. Hopefully next year!” And yes—starting a family is part of the plan, too. Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Dream big, but work smart,” says Elizabeth. “Don’t be afraid to take risks,” Richard adds. “There are a lot of good people and good investors out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out.” PIA/Expat Media

Pro tips from the Soapy Splash pros

Sweaters? Always dry clean them—they shrink in the washer. Luxury fabrics? Follow wash instructions carefully to avoid bleeding or damage. Delicate suits and gowns? Trust only a specialized cleaner. Get in touch with Soapy Splash via +971 567728571 or soapysplashuae.com This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine
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