World First: The Eco Laundry Company secures deal to establish cleaning services on Mars in 2026.

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Apr 01, 2016, 06:08 ET

NEW YORK, April 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eco Laundry Company has secured a landmark, world-first deal with the Mars One Mission, which will see it become the first laundry and dry cleaning business outside planet Earth.

The company's founder, CEO Phillipe Christodoulou, known to be an amateur space enthusiast, said he was "grateful to Mars Ones CEO and co-founder Bas Lansdorp for helping to make this epic dream a reality."

Rigorously selected members of The Eco Laundry Company team will begin training on April 1, 2017, alongside other astronauts from the Mars One Mission. Their duty will be to clean all clothing and bedding, as well as expertly deal with tough red dirt stains on the team's space suits.

Revolutionary 3D-printed technology will be used to build multiple industrial washing machines in the habitation module (hab), which will draw water from beneath the surface of the Martian soil, gently cleaning the garments utilizing USDA-certified organic soap, a freeze-dried powder version of what is currently used in the young and innovative company's Chelsea location in New York City.

The Eco Laundry Company will work with NASA to receive training on how to 3D-print and maintain the custom-designed machines in addition to undergoing all psychological and technical training from the Mars One Mission. "Doing the Laundry is stressful enough on the pale blue dot, but it's really going to be stressful on the red planet and our team need to be mentally prepared for a lifetime of donkey work", said Christodoulou.

"Here on Earth, our motto is Wash Pants, Save The World. It's going to be a lot of fun to be able to change it to Wash Pants, Save The Galaxy" said The Eco Laundry Company's President and Co-Owner, Jean Calleja.

In 2016, The Eco Laundry Company launched its franchise program in New York City and the tri-state area. "It's still mind blowing to think that in 2026 we will have a franchise on another planet" said Calleja. "It's really just out of this world".

Christodoulou said, "While we are thrilled to have been selected to go to Mars as "pioneers of eco-friendly laundry" from planet Earth, making sure that our cleaning crew arrive to the red planet safely is our number one priority."

"A lot of people are asking how such a young company could secure such a large scale and ambitious deal. The truth is that none of it would have been possible without the influence of my role model Sir Richard Branson, who was not only my inspiration to go after NASA and the Mars One Mission, but who has been an incredibly constant motivational force in my own entrepreneurial journey, even though he may not know it" said Christodoulou.

The Eco Laundry Company looks forward to celebrating April Fool's Day... in space!

Founded in 2010, The Eco Laundry Company is an eco-friendly laundry and dry cleaning company that believes in leaving a positive footprint in the world. Commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship are built into the DNA of their business model. The world's first laundry company to be certified B Corporation, The Eco Laundry Company's wash-and-fold uses non-toxic, biodegradable products and energy efficient machines, and their dry cleaning process is a non-perchloroethylene (perc.) alternative to traditional dry cleaning. With locations in Buenos Aires, Argentina and New York City, The Eco Laundry Company has franchise opportunities available for qualified candidates.

Visit www.EcoLaundryCompany.com for more information.

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SOURCE The Eco Laundry Company