Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Would anyone bat an eyelid at someone going to the laundrette with

63 replies

Iggyp · 27/09/2022 12:27

6 or 7 bags of washing?

I've been really depressed lately and just am overwhelmed. I've just bagged and sorted everything and there is 6 large bags of washing.

I feel like I'm going to be judged

OP posts:
Yesthatismychildsigh · 27/09/2022 12:28

Why on earth would they? That’s what launderettes are for. Hope you feel better soon.

justthecat · 27/09/2022 12:29

Not at all

OnaBegonia · 27/09/2022 12:29

Not at all, your washer could be broken, that's what launderette are for; washing clothes.
Good on you for getting it all bagged up, you'll feel a bit better when it's all washed and dried.

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2022 12:29

I wouldn't give it a single thought to be honest nor notice.

DoodlePug · 27/09/2022 12:30

Nope. If you use a laundrette it's much more efficient to do loads at once that go every other day.

Service wash even better if you can afford it.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 27/09/2022 12:30

Never thought about as it is exactly what we would do. Saves time and money.

Original poster
Iggyp · 27/09/2022 12:31

Ah thank you so much. I think it's just my anxiety talking. Like people will know I've left it and think I'm a bad mum. Idk

OP posts:
heldinadream · 27/09/2022 12:32

Absolutely not. Who is even to know it's your washing? You could be a carer, or doing it for some kind of job, or a poorly neighbour- loads of reasons.
Take care of yourself OP. Flowers

TheSausageKingofChicago · 27/09/2022 12:34

Not at all! I’ve done the same for my son who struggles with his mental health. It beats spending days at home ploughing through it.

Bonjovispjs · 27/09/2022 12:34

Of course not, people will be too busy doing their own washing to notice what you're doing. I live above a launderette and always see lots of people weighed down with loads of washing, I'm more surprised when people only take a few things🤷🏻‍♀️

LizzieSiddal · 27/09/2022 12:35

Not at all! Every time I’ve used a laundrette it’s because my washing has broken so I’ve taken bags and bags of washing.x

Kanaloa · 27/09/2022 12:40

Honestly if anybody notices they won’t care. If you drive there are sometimes the self service ones though, I like those because you can chill in the car and wait for them to finish, plus some of them are massive!

Original poster
Iggyp · 27/09/2022 12:48

Kanaloa · 27/09/2022 12:40

Honestly if anybody notices they won’t care. If you drive there are sometimes the self service ones though, I like those because you can chill in the car and wait for them to finish, plus some of them are massive!

I'd love that but don't drive so am getting a taxi there and back. Which makes me nervous too 😂

OP posts:
MrAutumnal · 27/09/2022 12:52

My washing machine broke and it took them weeks to fix it. Cos it’s far from my house and bit of a mission I saved it up and took bags and bags each time. No one batted an eyelid (why would they) and didn’t even occur to me to think about it. I also sometimes go to do my duvets as they don’t fit in my washing machine.

I quite like a bit of me time in the launderette tbh! Quite therapeutic in a way and you will be so pleased once you have it all done - lovely and clean 🙂

Yesthatismychildsigh · 27/09/2022 12:53

Iggyp · 27/09/2022 12:48

I'd love that but don't drive so am getting a taxi there and back. Which makes me nervous too 😂

Show quote history

Get out there and do it. Look, even just posting about it you’ve gone from nervous to at least cracking a smile. Think how much better you’ll feel about it when it’s done. Sending you strength. Oh, and take a good book.

Ladybug14 · 27/09/2022 12:59

Iggyp · 27/09/2022 12:31

Ah thank you so much. I think it's just my anxiety talking. Like people will know I've left it and think I'm a bad mum. Idk

Oh bless you. Absolutely not. I think its bloody marvellous that you've sorted all the washing out, when you're feeling low.

Misandre · 27/09/2022 12:59

Nothing to be embarrassed about at all. Well done for getting on top of it, you should be super proud.

chesirecat99 · 27/09/2022 13:00

Not at all. People will just assume your washing machine has broken or you are having a clear out, washing stuff to donate, or doing a major spring clean, refreshing clothes that have been stored. If they even notice...

MrAutumnal · 27/09/2022 13:01

And if I might add people are way too concerned about having the right change than how many bags you have. Everyone knows that is the
main risk in any launderette! Seriously, if you don’t know already make sure you find out what combination of £1, 50p and 20p the machines take for different load sizes plus driers if you’re doing that too. I always take my own washing powder etc. as well.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 27/09/2022 13:10

Another one here who lives a bit of laundrette time. They are nice and warm, take a flask of hot chocolate and a book. Along with plenty of coinage.

35965a · 27/09/2022 13:11

You’ll feel so much better when it’s done, lots of lovely clean washing. Nobody will even bat an eye, don’t worry!

SpingsandTrees · 27/09/2022 13:13

I'd assume you were doing it for work.

YesitsBess · 27/09/2022 13:14

I took six bin bags in when our machine was broken for a month. Second PP in saying make sure you have:

Change in various denominations and plenty of it.

A good book/podcast.

I bloody love the smell of a laundrette.

NotLactoseFree · 27/09/2022 13:17

In my experience at my local laundrette, there are two types of users:

  1. People who are single or possibly just a couple who don't have a machine. Often young people living in a house share or whatever. They are popping in once or twice a week with just a bag or two.
  2. Everyone else - who are there because they've got overwhelmed, their machine broke, they're just back from holiday, the kid is sick etc and they need to wash everything they own as a result (bonus points when this is the man being sent down while the woman stays home).

I love a good laundrette trip. Always have a bit of a chat with someone and it's fascinating to hear their stories. My all time favourite was a very young man. he'd recently moved out and managed to buy a tiny flat (he'd clearly been working is butt off since he left school after GCSEs). When choosing appliances, he had not prioritised the washing machine - against his mother's advice. He was now at the laundrette weekly as he was too embarrassed to go home and use his mother's machine! He was planning to buy one with his next pay cheque and we had a good chat about options as I was also in the market for a new one.

LOVE the Laundrette.

Fuuuuuckit · 27/09/2022 13:20

OP thanks for posting this. I've been struggling recently (injury and death in family) and my washing is completely out of hand. I'd never thought of blasting it all in one sitting at the launderette. Quite frankly I don't care what people think if I do, I'm taking hold of a situation and dealing with it. As are you!