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Original poster

Launderette Etiquette

58 replies

Launderetty · 27/12/2023 20:20

Husband went to the launderette today. We had lots of bedding that needed washing after DS came down with a stomach bug during the night and the launderette has a large 20kg machine and a large dyer (we don’t have a dryer).

When he got there the large washer was full of clothes, the cycle had finished but there was no one around. He waited and eventually the woman turned up after about 30 minutes and switched her washing over to the dryer - she paid for a 1hr cycle and left again.

Our washing finished and her drying cycle finished but again she was no where to be seen. Husband waited over 20 minutes for her to return where upon instead of removing her laundry from the machine she added another 45 minutes drying time and left.

At this point he decided to just come home with all the wet laundry not wanting to wait at least another 45 minutes in the cold (it’s an outdoor launderette) for her to return.

Frustrating as now I have lots of wet bedding and no easy way to dry it. I told him he should’ve just removed her laundry from the machine but he thinks that would’ve been rude and not the done thing. What’s the etiquette in this situation?

OP posts:
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Lotrehin · 28/12/2023 23:00

@itsmylife7 god don't be fascinated, they're grim. Like a Sims house gone wrong.

Princesspollyyy · 28/12/2023 22:25

@itsmylife7

I'm in Wales and we have them here

itsmylife7 · 28/12/2023 22:24

Thanks for the links.
I'm still fascinated 😁

HerMammy · 28/12/2023 22:06

@itsmylife7

https://go.skimresources.com?id=470X1716091&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstores.revolution-laundry.com%2Fen-uk%2F&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2Famiibeingunreasonable%2F4971427-launderette-etiquette%3Freply%3D131778903

Lotrehin · 28/12/2023 22:06

Sorry X post that's a shame you don't have a launderette nearby. I guess our town has quite a few hotels so there's enough trade from them to keep local launderettes going.

Lotrehin · 28/12/2023 22:03

Problem with the outdoor ones is that there's no staff and nowhere to put laundry once it's finished and you need to use the machine so you end up with just this situation OP. Sorry you've got wet laundry to deal with and hope you can get sorted for tonight. Are there no actual launderettes near you? We have several and they all do service washes which is much more convenient than hanging around and not that much more expensive either.

Original poster
Launderetty · 28/12/2023 21:58

England yes. I’m in the north east

OP posts:
Original poster
Launderetty · 28/12/2023 21:58

Yes, we don’t have an actual launderette nearby. Theres a couple places that do dry cleaning and I think they offer a laundry service too.

I just googled it and there apparently over 750 of these outdoor launderettes across the country.

Our is handy as you can park right next to it and there’s a food court with seating in the petrol station with a Subway, Greggs, and KFC incase you get peckish waiting. We’ve used it a couple times for bedding.

OP posts:
itsmylife7 · 28/12/2023 21:56

Itslegitimatesalvage · 28/12/2023 21:47

They’re everywhere.

Show quote history

I've been in plenty of petrol stations and never seen one !.

Assume we're talking about England 🤔

Itslegitimatesalvage · 28/12/2023 21:47

itsmylife7 · 28/12/2023 21:37

I'm fascinated by this post. What areas are these outdoor laundries in ?

They’re everywhere.

HerMammy · 28/12/2023 21:42

stores.revolution-laundry.com/en-uk/

itsmylife7 · 28/12/2023 21:37

I'm fascinated by this post. What areas are these outdoor laundries in ?

Princesspollyyy · 28/12/2023 21:26

@SisterhoodNotCisterhood

We have a petrol station laundrette 1 mile from our home, and an actual laundrette 2.4 miles from our home.

SisterhoodNotCisterhood · 28/12/2023 21:18

mathanxiety · 28/12/2023 18:41

She was rude.

He was an eejit to have brought the heavy, wet wash home. Why couldn't he have split it up between several smaller dryers? Why couldn't he have driven to a laundrette that was indoors?

I'm going to guess that the petrol station laundry service is there because of a lack of local laundrettes? We have a petrol station laundry set up less than half a mile away. The nearest actual laundrette? 54 mile round trip!

Universalsnail · 28/12/2023 19:10

Glasgowgal200 · 28/12/2023 19:06

I wouldn't want a total stranger touching my clothes!!!!!

Surely then you make sure you are there to take your clothes out the public launderette machine when it finishes

Universalsnail · 28/12/2023 19:10

I would have taken her clothes out tbh.

Glasgowgal200 · 28/12/2023 19:06

I wouldn't want a total stranger touching my clothes!!!!!

RumJerrySailorRum · 28/12/2023 18:56

Whilst I realise this is an unmanned one.......the 'etiquette' dilemma is precisely why I pay for the staff to dry my washing st our local laundrette.

I also tip them everytime too, I hate touching my own washing never mind randomers, they deserve it.

mathanxiety · 28/12/2023 18:41

She was rude.

He was an eejit to have brought the heavy, wet wash home. Why couldn't he have split it up between several smaller dryers? Why couldn't he have driven to a laundrette that was indoors?

Princesspollyyy · 28/12/2023 17:41

@Muchof

I completely agree, but 'I don't think I've seen a laundrette like that before' is preferable to 'your husband is telling porkies'.

mottytotty · 28/12/2023 17:39

You say he should have removed the washing but where would he have put it in an outdoor launderette?

In the indoor launderette they provide baskets so you can just put someone’s washing in one if they’re not there.

I suppose next time DH could take a big bag like a bin liner or IKEA bag to put the previous person’s washing in there.

The woman was an utter twat for not staying with her washing.

starynightskys · 28/12/2023 17:35

Going of topic here but i think launderettes are making a come back.
I love my one 4 small washers 2 large 3 large dryers.
Our other one has 8 washers and 8 dryers.
Once a fortnight everything is washed and dried all done dusted.
Coffee shop next door or i just go for a walk.
On the topic just hang your washing where you can over the doors heaters anywhere.

Muchof · 28/12/2023 17:22

Princesspollyyy · 28/12/2023 13:01

@Catza So that you could see how silly you were in your misunderstanding.

I'll skip on the eggnog thanks, rancid stuff.

Perhaps Catza has not seen one of these before, I am in my 50s and can also say I have never seen one so was equally perplexed at first.

DisforDarkChocolate · 28/12/2023 17:02

The rule is you empty a machine that's been left if you want to use it.

faustus5 · 28/12/2023 16:57

Thanks though @Itslegitimatesalvage . Now I know! Smile