He Knows the Stars’ Dirty Laundry. Because He Washes It.

This man needs to write a book!

I'm one of the roadies that has had their clothes washed by Hans, and his family. They are the one of the perks of being in this business, not only clean clothes but meeting lovely people. Clean clothes are a simple but underrated aspect of life and when you're gone for 1-4 months, you have to deal with it. Every roadie has laundry horror stories. I've had all the crew's clothes come back, damp, together in one huge bundle so we would have an underwater sorting party in production Typically, you send it out to local fluff and fold but the big tours carry a company like Han's. Sending lots of love to the Topf family! And Jake Berry.... Mimixx

Very informative and entertaining article. This is why I subscribe. Please, more pieces like these.

Amazingly hard working to create and sustain this business.

At first, I thought what a ridiculous piece. But, upon reading, it's fascinating. Defines the old adage: find a need a fill it. And fill it with gusto.

Even a job you love (doing laundry for rock stars) will have elements you dislike (ironing for hours). Congratulations to Herr Topf for finding his mission in life.

Fascinating. Never would have occurred to me that there'd be such a person travelling on tour.

"which usually have to be air-dried with a small fan." This reminded me that in Japan, many people still use sun-drying for daily clothes; most of them do have electric dryers but they seldom use the machines. It seems that people prefer sun-drying not only to save electricity but because they believe sun-drying is better to their health. I've heard some theory about that but don't remember well.

Topf is more interesting than some of the muscial acts.

Entrepreneurship at its finest!

He uses the same Rowenta iron I use to press my shirts at home. I must be doing something right!

Wait a minute, isn't this the same guy who was featured in the Sunday NYT who is an Invitro Specialist during the week, enjoys Everything Bagels and drives a red Porche?

Reading about so much equipment hauled around on tours, hopefully no stoned rock and roller plugs their electric guitar into a washing machine by mistake instead of a big black amp. On the other hand a pair of sneakers rumbling around inside a big drier’s drum might sound better than many drummer’s beat. A new music genre could be born out of this.

What about sequined or otherwise ornate clothes that can't be washed in water? How are those cleaned?

Do tell! Madonna, Pink and Beyoncé actually have laundry? I though they just trashed their once-worn clothes and bought new ones. Shows how much I know.

My sweet, laundry proficient Mississippi Mother would have loved this story. I missed the cooking and cleaning lessons, but boy did I learn how to do laundry. I never use a dryer unless it is last resort. I think I will dust off my resume and add my laundry skills. Topf, hire me!!

A nice companion piece to the article about the child wrangler who has worked for "School of Rock" for four years. Also the one about the backstage logistics of "The Ferryman," including handling of live animals. When we complain about high ticket prices, we are forgetting about all the people who work behind the scenes to make these events possible. Keep stories like this coming!

Very familiar with tour logstics company Rock-It Cargo. This article is like a companion piece to their awesome services.

Years ago, our theatre in Wisconsin booked a touring Georgian dance company (Russia) The stage manager told me that we would see spray bottles of vodka, but they were used to clean the costumes of the incredibly athletic dancers. By chance, we had a volunteer who was a seamstress- once word got out, she was swamped with performers anxious to have their costumes repaired. They were a very hard-working company, and gave a performance that was staggeringly good...in costumes without split seams!

As many concerts as I've been to, it never even occurred to me to wonder, "So who washes their stage costumes?" I love articles like this! After so much Trump headlines, a huge Thank You to the Times for this bit of fresh air, dirty laundry and all.

I’m from the third world country and grew up doing laundry by hands in the river. Been in the west more that a decade and wash still many clothes that I care by hand and dry on the drying rack. Those I wash in the machine are also taken home and hang on drying rack then pressed before wearing. And my underwear and bras are always done by hands. It’s one of many things that my mother had taken seriously. I think I’m becoming her!

Wow! Very cool, very inspiring! These quirky articles and the people that they uncover are why NYT is worth my 15.00 a month. I'm a rock star too . I drop off my laundry and get same day service and Marie Condo worthy folded underwear. It makes me more than happy!

Very cool. Something I never thought about! Fascinating! What a guy. :)

Who knew? A candidate for the weirdest job title, for sure.

As Lewis Carroll wrote, "The world is full of a number of things."

Love this article, a fascinating & unexpected subject! I live right near Max-Schmeling Hall, so I'll have to keep a look out for Der Topf. Definitely need a follow up piece with his best laundry tips.

'Find a need and fill it' has always been good business advice. Apparently it translates quite well to 'find a washing machine and fill it.' Der Topf must have a lot of unusual stories.

This is an article I didn't know I needed. Thank you, NYT.

The most important word in this story about a hard-working man with a self-invented job is "refugee".

Fascinating article - thank you. I love Der Topf's enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. Cleaning clothes may sound boring (apparently its the ironing), but a greatly appreciated service by the bands. Rock on.

FYI, the washing machines are Miele: http://www.kbculture.com/2011/12/all-access.html

I have would loved some follow up laundry industry secrets on doing tour laundry. Such as keeping black cotton t-shirts looking black without fading (I know some you mentioned the air drying. That does help from keeping jeans from shrinking) Or starch or no starch? Rox of Spazhouse, Intuitive Research

I love niche service industries. My former partner "bootstrapped" a true niche market small business in Manhattan (95% of the work): Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance. Most service companies in outer boroughs of or NJ won't work in Manhattan. We lived & were located in Lower Manhattan. This was our forte: Having acute knowledge of all the details which cause an aversion to working in Manhattan. IE: Expensive liability ins; parking tickets: I fought by mail & later email; I beat most (over $4000 worth the 1st year). Later, Bloomberg made it more difficult, but still doable). Traffic: we knew the fastest, best way to travel in Manhattan. Renting cranes & boom trucks: getting permits. Making real-time critical thinking decisions, a talent I discovered I inherently had. We grew from 1 to 25 employees (not bad). Most clients were very friendly-many celebrities, some, rich and & famous, others, not so famous . All were wealthy (I am not patronizing). It's expensive to afford this-on your wraparound duplex or triplex penthouse; a roof garden & all the terraces. I had clients who spent as little as $10k on a terrace or garden, & others well over $400k. Many would live there only a few weeks a year (between Thanksgiving & Xmas) in their double-wide, 5 story townhouse, Co-op apt, Co-op building rooftops, courtyards, front-of-building gardens, Green roofs & green walls. Much commercial work, as well. In 25 years, we never advertised-all work was word-of-mouth: the best kind.

Wow! I really enjoyed this article. I must say that I'm also a laundry fanatic. Sorting, spot treating, folding, ironing... all settle my nerves. Mr. Topf's business seems so perfect. There's the thrill of serving celebrities and the relaxation of doing laundry... Heaven :)

I have a logistic question: How do you hook up the water for the washer when you move from place to place?

This is a wonderful story, thanks NYT, and glad Mr. Der Topf is getting the credit he much deserves, however, NYT missed the occasion, so I will say it, Der Topf is The Top !!

As a veteran of the touring business, this is a wonderful article about what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite live event and the people who come together to make showtime happen. While I've never had the privilege to meet Der Topf himself, I can vouch for the wonderful feeling of clean laundry while on tour. When your life is confined to a coffin-sized bunk on a tour bus and a backpack or two, you learn to value and appreciate the little bits of comfort you can get here and there. A fresh load of laundry brings a bit of humanity back to the day to day life on the road, and I'm pleased to see Der Topf getting a moment in the spotlight.