DP has never been to a launderette.

[OpiesOldLady]

I know it sounds silly, but it threw me a little. To me it's a normal thing to do - if you dont have a washing machine or dryer or you need to clean a duvet or something - you go to a launderette. He said he's never needed to as his parents always had a washer and if it broke they went to family etc. I guess it just highlighted the difference in our upbringing - we didn't get a washer til i was about ten and Saturday mornings were spent in the launderette. I can still smell the humid soapyness even now.

What normal things have you or your DP never done?

I've never been to one either. The one time my machine has broken down we took some laundry round to a couple of different friends.

or your washing machine breaks down?

Last time mine broke down I used the bath to handwash until I saved up to get a new one!

I lived in student flats without washing machines, many years ago, so a trip to the laundrette was a weekly event. I haven't been in one since.

Wow, I'm surprised that so many of you haven't been to a launderette! I was born in 78, in a rural Northern town. We didn't have a car until i was 14 - my dad would hire one of we wanted to go anywhere.

My dc's have never been to a launderette. Ages range from 27 - 13.
I bought my washing machine on the basis of how much it could wash. Plus it helped to have decent insurance.

I've never been to a laundrette either.

We don’t even have a laundrette here. In fact I couldn’t tell you where the nearest one is. I used one at uni so I’m all good with how to use one, but if I’d not been to uni like some of my friends I wouldn’t ever have been in one. I don’t think going to a laundrette is exactly the norm unless you’re in eastenders is it?

To all those who've never been to a launderette, what do you do when you want to wash a king size duvet, or your washing machine breaks down?

'I'm 60 and I've never been to a laundrette. I use a queen sized duvet but I've never washed it - I always use a cover and wash that instead. I can't see why a duvet would ever actually need washing if it's always covered.

When my washing machine broke down I put the dirty washing in the bath and washed it in there.

How did you all do your washing at uni? We had communal washing machines/launderettes in the various halls.
And I've used a washing machine at a camp site.
Not sure I've been to a proper launderette.

I've been to a washing well though lots!

In uni halls 12 people shared a kitchen and we had two washing machines in the kitchen.

The only time we go to the laundrette is once a year to get all the holiday stuff washed and out of the way in one go. There’s 2 or 3 laundrettes that I can think of within walking distance of my house. I rarely see anyone in them, but someone must be using them.

I ha e ever been to a laundrette and I'm 54.

There used to be one in the city I live in with a cafe next door called the Lost Sock Cafe. Both now chi chi little bistro/coffee shops.

Im thinking of using one soon. Now that the crap weather is back I don't want to be drying bed sheets and towels over doors and radiators. I was thinking I can do one load a month at the laundrette to get them dried.

I've never been to a launderette. Don't think I've ever washed a duvet either.

ive only ever been in one abroad
first time i saw one was on eastenders and i was born in 77 my mum had a old twin tub and spinner when i was growing up

Only reason I had been to a launderette as a child was taking an old lady's washing there with another girl when earning our Brownies Service Flash. My mother was disgusted at her child possibly being seen in there.

Much later on, I used to persuade a boyfriend to drop me off there in winter to wash and dry the quilt and clothes for work, as my flat was freezing cold and damp, so nothing dried properly. I got to quite enjoy the time spent with a magazine in the warm on a foul Saturday morning.

I've used the one round the corner a couple of times and should bung the quilt in soon, but I'm waiting for horrible weather and when I need some time to myself outside the house. DP wouldn't take things round there when our machine packed up because it costs so much.

I've never been on a plane, and had never stayed in a hotel until he took me. I've never swum in the sea either. Or gone on holiday abroad.

He's never had a dog. Or inside cats (rather than not-quite-feral ones - I'd say he had Kitchen Cats, as that was as far as they were allowed). And he'd never been in a black cab until we were coming back from a tour and he was too tired to walk/I couldn't carry my bass, his guitar, our bags and him back from the station, so I went to the rank and paid a worthwhile fiver to travel the half mile home.

I think you’re being weird about this OP. I used a laundrette when I was in halls at uni - because obviously there was no washing machine. If you have a washing machine, or know someone who does and is happy for you to use it, why would you sit around in a laundrette I think a family having their own washing machine has been pretty standard for most people in the last 20 or 30 years, if not longer - your DP could easily accuse you of not being ‘normal’ quite frankly.

I never used a laundrette until I moved into my own flat in my twenties. We had always had washing machines (and mangles!) at home since I was tiny, the idea of taking your washing down the high street to get it done was totally alien to me. Then, being thrust out into the world as a young adult, I discovered service washes! That was a revelation to me - drop of the dirty, get it back clean, dry and folded. Wonderful. I suppose the few launderettes left still do them?

Even with a washer, large items need large washers.

Launderettes are essential for blsnkets and duvets.

Your DP hasn't lived.

I've never been in a laundrette.

I love going to the launderette. I go in the winter to do bedding/towels in one hit. I take a book and settle in a comfy chair. Its a day out for me

You can fit a double duvet in some washing machines - I take mine to DMs.

I used to go once a year to wash the duvets

Half the fun was people watching