Do public laundry facilities 'skeeve' you? - Page 3

JavaQueen · ‎03-09-2010

Well, what about all the people who have to use them?

Don't move to NYC unless you can have your own washer/dryer. Millions of people of all classes use them--except for the ultra rich. Ot those who dwell in houses.

I have come to the realization that outside of "clean rooms" in semiconductor plants, etc. there's no such thing as totally clean. I loathe going to the laundramat, but have done so since college. With no rocks and rivers handy, its the the best way. LOL. Sure, there are crazies. But I go to one where they are every strict and have attendants on hand. If that's what you have, that's what you have. It's not cheap: the cheapest washer is $2.76 per load.

If there's one positive about it, you do all your laundry at once. If you live in a house and the washer/dryer is there, it seems you're always doing laundry, taking out of the dryer and folding it. I would rather get it all done and over with.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

@Mominohio wrote:
@gardenman wrote:
We have a septic system and a well so it's off to the laundromat for me. Our laundromat is nice and clean and neat.

A former high school classmate who went to a major Midwestern university said there was a large laundromat just off campus that was the local party spot. On Friday's the proprietor would shut the place down for an hour, empty the soda from the vending machines and replace them with cans of beer and bump up the price on the machines to $2 per can. He'd then reopen the laundromat and clear out. The students would then show up with their dirty clothes and party the night away. He kept an older, out of order top loading washer at the far end for the students to use as a toilet and then he'd use a shop vac the next morning to clean out the washer. The guy apparently made a fortune and did this for years. Everyone in town knew what was going on, but no one really objected.

@gardenman
That story is incredibly gross! I guess it just goes to show you we never know what has been in those washers before we get there.

I often think about people who are bringing in bedding and things from when people have been sick and if those germs are being retained in the machines after their use.

I do have a question about you going to the laundromat because of well and septic.

We are on a well and septic also, but use a washer and dryer here at home. If we have a very wet period, I sometimes feel the need to take a few loads out of here, as we sit very low and I don't want to tax the system with the ground is extremely soggy, but that usually only happens once every couple of years when we have extreme heavy rains for extended periods.

I do have to be aware, and spread my laundry out over the day/week. During the summer drought and hot season, I will do extra laundry (like bedspreads, quilts on display etc.) that I won't tax the system with during more wet times, but we still can use our system.

I do know many people who have no idea that they need to pace/control the amount of water going through their system and treat it like a municipal system, until the problems occur.

Is there some reason why you can't/don't do your laundry at home? Perhaps I have something to learn about the systems I don't know.

In our case we have a heavy clay soil and and very low percolation rates through the soil. If you were to build here today you probably couldn't get a permit, but our house was built back in 1927 and the laws weren't as strict then. Unless you want to have the system pumped every few months (for around $400+ each time), you have to severely limit water usage. A neighbor used to run his wash water out into the storm drain, but the state caught onto that and ordered him to have it changed. Another neighbor used to run her wash water out into her yard and the township got wind of it and shut her down.

Our local laundromat is ony $1.75 for big loads and the drying is $.25 for 7 minutes so for about $3 a load you can wash and dry each load. When you add up the cost of having the tanks pumped, the cost of the washer/dryer and the maintenance costs of them, the laundromat is the best possible option for me.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

Laundrymats used to be very nice, pleasant, for washing larger items. But, now, around here anyway, the chemical odors from dryer sheets and strong laundry detergents are really, really very, very bad. In fact, one can smell those strong chemical odors two blocks away. I feel sorry for the babies and youngsters who could be allergic, wearing those chemical clothes. Their lungs are so tiny, etc. Well, all we can do is wish them well, and hopefully their moms are using Ivory Snow or Ivory Flakes or other baby-safe detergents.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

giddy up · ‎05-30-2011

I've never been to a laundramat and hope I never need to. I have two new washing machines in my basement that I use. One is a two year old Whirlpool, one is a nearly brand new Speed Queen. The Speed Queen is quickly becoming my favorite because of its fast cycles. Whirlpool pulls its own weight though, just a little longer cycle times. Both give me control of my water fill which is a must for me. Anyhow, My sister says that's just weird, lol. There are a lot of people who post on youtube who own a few machines. Some of their machines are vintage that they like to keep running. I'd like to think I am not weird by this. Now if I come to the point of installing two dryers I'll get back to ya.

catwhisperer · ‎07-11-2010

I hate going to laundromats. I live in an apt. complex where we have two washers and two dryers. I always clean the washers with anti-bacterial wipes before doing my laundry. No telling what has been in those machines. Eeeewwww.

I promise to remind myself every day that I am strong, courageous, and resilient.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

Laundromats skeeve me. I've been a handful of times.

qvcfreak · ‎03-10-2010

When my washer broke I went to a really nice one with AC, tables to eat if you brought food or bought something from vending machines. It also had a TV and someone was always there to keep things running smoothly for everyone. Will go there when it comes time to wash my blankets.

Eliana · ‎03-13-2010

http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/slideshow/best-laundrobars

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

Until we were able to access public water, I used a laundry mat for years due to iron water. I always chose the local one with the attendant on duty and tried to be there before 8 a.m., to get hot water. The attendant tried to wipe the machines with a bleach solution between washes, and the building was very clean, so I wasn't creeped out by using a washer used by other people. I dried my clothes outside in the summer, and on clothes lines in my basement in the winter. The price was $1.00 for a regular washer at the time I was going.

I would definitely have more concerns today about using the only laundry mat left in this town----I would definitely be thinking about acquired infections, but think my biggest fear would actually be bedbugs.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@RedTop wrote:
Until we were able to access public water, I used a laundry mat for years due to iron water. I always chose the local one with the attendant on duty and tried to be there before 8 a.m., to get hot water. The attendant tried to wipe the machines with a bleach solution between washes, and the building was very clean, so I wasn't creeped out by using a washer used by other people. I dried my clothes outside in the summer, and on clothes lines in my basement in the winter. The price was $1.00 for a regular washer at the time I was going.

I would definitely have more concerns today about using the only laundry mat left in this town----I would definitely be thinking about acquired infections, but think my biggest fear would actually be bedbugs.

I have always wondered if bed bugs and lice would be spread in community washers and dryers.