Ironing, linen and textiles in Boskoop
Boskoop is the capital of Dutch tree-nursery cultivation, and has been so since the seventeenth century. On the narrow, long nursery plots between the ditches, fruit trees, shrubs, perennials and, later, roses were grown and transported by punt across the Boskoop waterways. A Boskoop tree-grower worked in heavy waterproof jackets, rubber boots, and a cotton under-smock that was soaked through every day with nursery water.
The Sunday contrast was great. After a week in soaking-wet work clothes, the Boskoop man appeared on Sunday in a stiff dark coat, a sharply ironed shirt, a brushed hat. The contrast was visible and was appreciated: a man who knew his trade — and a wife who could turn him out in his sharpest form on Sunday morning. In every Boskoop street, the women knew which ironer made the best collar.
Tree-nursery cultivation is still alive and well in Boskoop — though much of it now goes by container cultivation and computer-controlled glasshouses. The municipality has been absorbed into Alphen aan den Rijn, but Boskoop has kept its own character, with the Zijde as its main road and modern districts such as Snijdelwijk.
Since 2013 we have been driving from our laundry on the Henricuskade through Boskoop on fixed mornings. Laundry bag collected, ironed, returned — same driver, every week.
How does Strijkservice Haaglanden work in Boskoop?
For residents of Boskoop our service works exactly as in the rest of Haaglanden: on a fixed day of the week our driver comes by, picks up your laundry bag and brings your laundry back clean and crisply ironed. No appointment needed — your routine is set.
You get one regular driver and a fixed pickup rhythm so you always know what to expect. No carrying, no full drying racks in the living room, no evenings at the ironing board.
Everything is handled in our own laundry on Henricuskade in The Hague. Shirts, blouses, table linen, bed and bath textiles — we iron it the way it should go back into the cupboard at home, neatly folded and ready to use.