SudShare: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

SudShare was founded in 2017 and originally headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The company built a mobile app that works like a rideshare service for laundry: customers schedule a pickup, and a nearby Laundry Pro collects the laundry, washes and folds it, and returns it, typically the next day. In 2023 the company rebranded as Poplin, and today it describes itself as the first nationwide laundry service platform, though its mobile apps still carry the SudShare name in some app stores.

According to the company, the Poplin platform reaches 48 states, more than 500 cities, and over 8,000 zip codes, with a network of roughly 115,000 work-from-home Laundry Pros nationwide and about 3 million loads washed and folded each year. The company reports serving more than 150,000 customers. Laundry Pros are independent contractors who set their own schedules, use their own washers, dryers, and supplies, and use their own vehicles to pick up and deliver orders.

Beyond the gig workforce, the company employs corporate and support staff, with on-site teams in Lehi, Utah, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, that support Laundry Pros and customers. Roles there include customer support specialists and operations positions. The company also runs a community giveback program, The Giving Cycle, which directs a portion of every order toward complimentary laundry services for community members in need.

Company culture and employee programs: The company emphasizes flexibility as the core of its value proposition for workers, with Laundry Pros choosing which orders to accept and when to work. Onboarding is handled largely through the app, with short training materials rather than formal interviews, according to worker reports on job sites. The company states that top Laundry Pros can earn meaningful monthly income, though earnings vary widely with order volume, location, and effort, and contractors cover their own supplies and expenses. Benefits associated with traditional employment generally do not apply to independent contractor roles.

Yes. Companies in the gig economy and home services industry, including SudShare (Poplin), are legally permitted to conduct background checks on the workers who use their platforms, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background screening arranged through a consumer reporting agency is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires consent, disclosure, and adverse action procedures. These protections apply to independent contractors as well as employees when a background check report is used.

SudShare (Poplin) is generally reported to screen Laundry Pros before they can accept orders, which is consistent with standard practice among gig platforms whose workers enter customers' belongings into their care and visit customers' homes. The specific scope of a SudShare background check may vary over time and by location, so applicants should review the disclosures presented during sign-up for current details.

Becoming a Laundry Pro is an application and onboarding process rather than a traditional hiring process, since Laundry Pros are independent contractors. Applicants typically sign up through the app, provide personal information, consent to screening, and complete short training materials before accepting their first order. Worker reports describe the process as fast, often taking only a few days. Applicants generally need access to a washer and dryer, a vehicle for pickups and deliveries, a smartphone, and basic supplies. Corporate support roles follow a more conventional application and interview process.

Many background checks for gig platforms are completed within a few business days, though timing depends on the searches included, the responsiveness of courts, and how many jurisdictions appear in an applicant's address history. Checks that require manual county courthouse searches can take longer. Applicants can learn more by reviewing background check turnaround times.

The platform determines which screenings to include. For a home services gig platform like SudShare (Poplin), a background check may include some or all of the following:

Applicants should review the consent and disclosure forms shown during sign-up to see exactly which searches will be run.

Lookback periods depend on the type of search and state law. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally cannot report most negative information older than seven years, though criminal convictions may be reportable for longer in many states, and some states impose stricter limits. Applicants who have lived in multiple states may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

The company's policies regarding applicants with felony records are not publicly detailed, and platform decisions are typically made case by case based on the results of screening. Factors commonly considered include the nature and severity of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to work that involves handling customers' property and visiting their homes. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit how and when criminal history can be considered. Applicants with records are encouraged to provide accurate information during sign-up.

Applicants are typically asked to consent to screening electronically during app sign-up and to provide accurate personal information, including full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history. A valid driver's license may be needed where driving records are checked. Accurate information helps ensure the right records are searched and avoids delays in activating an account.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, a company must obtain consent before ordering a background check, and if it intends to take adverse action based on the results, it must provide the person with a copy of the report and a summary of rights, plus an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision. For a detailed overview of the FCRA and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what SudShare (Poplin) may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.