At De Schone Laundry and Dry Cleaning Specialists ("De Schone", "we", "us", or "our") and De Schone 24 Hour Self-Service Laundromat ("De Schone 24", "we", "us", or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information in connection with our laundry and dry cleaning services, including pickup and delivery, drop-and-go options, and self-service facilities. We operate in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 ("POPIA") and other applicable South African laws.This policy applies to all interactions with De Schone, whether through our website (deschonelaundry.co.za), WhatsApp, telephone, email, in-person visits, or during service delivery. By using our services or providing us with your personal information, you consent to the practices described herein.
1. Who We Are
De Schone Laundry and Dry Cleaning Specialists and De Schone 24 Hour Self-Service Laundromat are family-owned businesses based in Paardevlei, Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa, providing professional laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, self-service and other related services.
2. Personal Information We Collect
We collect only the information necessary to provide our services efficiently and securely. This may include:
Identification and Contact Details: Name, surname, phone number, email address, and physical address (for pickup/delivery).
Service-Related Information: Details about items for cleaning (e.g., types of garments, quantities, special instructions like stain notes), order history, and preferences (e.g., folding vs. hanging).
Payment Information: Bank details, card numbers (processed securely via third-party gateways), or invoice preferences.
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and cookies (see Section 10) when using our website.
Special Categories: Rarely, sensitive details like allergies to fabrics or dyes, if voluntarily provided.
We do not collect information about race, religion, health (beyond service needs), or biometric data unless strictly necessary and with explicit consent.
3. How We Collect Your Information
Directly from You: When you book services via phone, WhatsApp, our website form, or in-store; during pickup/drop-off; or when paying.
Automatically: Through website cookies, logs, or service tracking (e.g., GPS for delivery routes, with consent).
From Third Parties: Delivery partners (e.g., couriers) may share confirmation of receipt, or payment processors confirm transactions.
We obtain your consent where required under POPIA, such as for marketing communications.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for legitimate purposes, including:
Providing and managing services (e.g., scheduling pickups, processing orders, delivering cleaned items).
Communicating updates (e.g., order status via SMS/WhatsApp, service reminders, etc.).
Processing payments and invoicing.
Improving our services (e.g., analyzing usage patterns anonymously).
Marketing (e.g., promotions on new services like linen dyeing), but only with your opt-in consent.
Legal compliance (e.g., tax records, dispute resolution).
Under POPIA, our processing is based on: Contract necessity (to fulfill your service request).
Consent (for marketing).
Legal obligations (e.g., record-keeping).
5. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share it with:
Service Providers: Trusted third parties like couriers (for delivery), payment gateways (e.g., PayFast or Yoco), or IT support, bound by confidentiality agreements and POPIA compliance.
Legal Authorities: If required by law, such as court orders or the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
All sharing is limited to what's necessary, and we ensure recipients process data per POPIA standards. No international transfers occur without adequate safeguards (e.g., binding corporate rules).
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information against loss, unauthorized access, or misuse, including: Secure servers and encryption for online transactions.
Access controls (e.g., password-protected systems).
Regular security audits and staff training.
Secure storage of physical items and records.
Despite these efforts, no system is 100% secure. In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and the Information Regulator as required by POPIA.
7. Data Retention
We retain your information only as long as necessary:
Service records: 5+ years (for tax and dispute purposes).
Marketing data: Until you withdraw consent.
Inactive accounts: Deleted after 2 years of no activity or upon request, unless legally required.
You can request deletion at any time (see Section 8).
8. Your Rights Under POPIAAs a data subject, you have the following rights:
Access: Request confirmation of what information we hold about you.
Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete details.
Deletion ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request removal, subject to legal and/or safety and/or business operations exceptions.
Objection: Oppose processing for marketing.
Withdraw Consent: At any time, without affecting established business processing requirements.
9. Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors without parental consent. If we discover such data, we will delete it promptly.
10. Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website uses cookies to enhance functionality (e.g., remembering preferences) and analytics (e.g., Google Analytics for site improvements). Cookies are small files stored on your device. You can manage them via browser settings. For details, see our Cookie Policy. We do not use cookies for profiling or targeted ads without consent.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal changes or service evolutions without notification thereof. Continued use of our services after changes implies acceptance.
12. General Disclaimer Integration
This Privacy Policy complements our General Disclaimer relating to laundry and dry cleaning services provided by De Schone Laundry and Dry Cleaning Specialists. While the Disclaimer addresses service limitations and liability, this Policy focuses on data protection. In case of conflict, POPIA-compliant provisions prevail.
If you have questions, please contact us. Thank you for trusting De Schone with your laundry needs – and your privacy!