From Garage Laundromat to Eco-Detergent Pioneer: The Bonolo Scents Story
From Garage Laundromat to Eco-Detergent Pioneer: The Bonolo Scents Story. When Tebello Jeanette Khanya launched Bonolo Scents in 2022, she was solving a headache she encountered firsthand, drains blocked and machines failing in her garage-based laundromat in Sasolburg. What began as troubleshooting became a mission: create eco-friendly laundry solutions that work, protect machines, and respect sensitive skin and the environment.
Laying the Groundwork: Turning Pain Points into Purpose
Starting with LetzWash Laundry Services, Tebello repeatedly encountered clogging and appliance breakdown due to harsh commercial detergents. Instead of changing machines, she changed the formula. She researched eco-based ingredients and tested prototypes until Bonolo Scents fabric softener caused no buildup in drains and was mild on skin. That pivot transformed a business pain into a competitive advantage.
Rooted in Sustainable Vision
From day one, Bonolo Scents built its brand on environmental and health-conscious values. Products are 67–71% bio-based, biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and cold-water effective, offering energy savings and lower environmental impact. This isn’t marketing fluff, it’s lab-tested fact and one of the company’s core strengths.
Tebello’s leadership earned recognition. She was listed among HR Practitioners and featured in young-entrepreneur spotlights on Central News and Free State radio and YouTube, raising brand credibility.
Navigating Challenges with Innovation
Transitioning to manufacturing required more than goodwill. Tebello invested R90 000 of her own savings, then secured technical and financial support from SEDA, the Free State Department of Economic Development, and The Innovation Hub. She underwent chemical-manufacturing training and secured third-party testing to meet regulatory standards .
By committing to upfront investment in compliance, Bonolo Scents built trust with distributors and customers, proof that regulatory readiness is a competitive asset.
Turning green into growth: strategic partnerships
With compliance and a quality product in place, Tebello began scaling. She relocated production to a larger facility, boosting output from grassroots kitchen batches to industrial volumes, an impressive 9 600 L weekly, aiming for 10 500 L daily. She sourced used sunflower oil from restaurants and Kota vendors, a creative waste-to-resource cycle supporting local SMEs and reinforcing sustainability.
These production improvements left Bonolo Scents ready for retail success.
Building a Brand Through Real Consumer Impact
Breaking onto shelves alongside big detergent names, Bonolo Scents carved a niche. Tebello kept pricing competitive, tapped into eco- and health-conscious consumers, and leaned on word-of-mouth. By targeting local retailers first and focusing on product performance, she secured early wins before scaling further.
Her advice to new entrepreneurs sums it up: do your research and stand out.
Scaling Smart Without Sacrificing Values
Now, Bonolo Scents is expanding, from a home water tank to a manufacturing plant and from local reach to national retail ambitions. Tebello plans to broaden the product line and enter international markets within five years . Growth is measured and strategic, aligned with quality and brand ethos.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Solve real problems – Tebello created a product that addressed a real operational challenge.
- Invest in expertise – She learned and partnered with incubators to meet technical and regulatory demand.
- Lean on values – Health, sustainability, and transparency gave her brand authority.
- Use local roots to scale – Starting small brought agility and authenticity before retail expansion.
- Make circularity count – Upcycling held environmental and marketing value.
- Grow with discipline – Scaling production, retail channels, and R&D only when systems were ready.
What Lies Ahead
Bonolo Scents has demonstrated it can grow without compromising its mission or quality. With new manufacturing capacity, emerging markets, extended product lines, and social enterprise-minded sourcing, Tebello Khanya’s venture is positioned to shake up South Africa’s FMCG sector and possibly beyond.
