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Original poster

... to tell you about service washes...

60 replies

laundryschmaundry · 18/02/2023 18:26

At your local laundrette.

Family of 4. Back from a half term break yesterday. Tons of washing. Dropped four black sacks to laundrette yesterday afternoon sorted into darks (2), lights (1) and mixed colours (1).

Picked it up today- washed,dried and folded (not ironed but I don't iron anyway Blush). A grand total of £43.

I don't have a cleaner, I don't smoke and I'm seriously considering giving up wine to never have to do the laundry ever again.

OP posts:
Goldandpurplezebra · 18/02/2023 18:27

I'd rather use £43 per week on a cleaner. That would be like 4 hours of cleaning a week.

Go for it if it works for you though.

Original poster
laundryschmaundry · 18/02/2023 18:31

Goldandpurplezebra · 18/02/2023 18:27

I'd rather use £43 per week on a cleaner. That would be like 4 hours of cleaning a week.

Go for it if it works for you though.

I quite like cleaning... I bloody hate laundry Grin

OP posts:
Thepurplelantern · 18/02/2023 18:34

I have done this after having new babies over the years. Definitely a life hack in tough times

LakieLady · 18/02/2023 18:37

Great if you have a launderette fairly close by, but there isn't one within 10 miles of where I live.

Our former launderette is now 2 flats.

iwantmyownicecreamvan · 18/02/2023 18:41

I've been pondering over taking my curtains. They are massive and I really struggle with them though, so maybe not fair. I wonder if I took them in and stayed to wash and dry them, they would help me fold them? 😕

PamelaShipman80 · 18/02/2023 18:43

Money well spent you’ve inspired me to do the same after holiday next month!

cestlavielife · 18/02/2023 18:43

Iwantmy
Just drop them off
They will do it all
For a fee

Utilitaparking · 18/02/2023 18:44

I used to do this occasionally, now the laundrette that was 500 yards from my house has turned into a dog groomers and the closest is now 7 miles away Sad

User18936572 · 18/02/2023 18:54

No launderette here either, there used to be one very near but it closed down about 10 years ago, no more in our town, nearest is probably 5 miles away in bigger town, are there a lot in cities and large towns or is it another thing that's disappearing.

Needmorelego · 18/02/2023 19:13

Not something I would want to spend almost £50 on (I would have to add on bus or taxi fare).
But you know.... it's your money.
There's 3 of us in my family. Laundry bin gets full - put a load on. Takes about 2 minutes to move the stuff from laundry basket to washing machine. Switch washing machine on.
Washing finishes....remove and put on clothes horses or radiators. That takes like 5 minutes.
When dry put away. Also takes about 5 minutes.
I don't sort by colour unless it's something like a brand new pair of jeans which will get done with some towels for the first couple of washes.
There are about 10 gazillion other things I would rather spend 50 quid on.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 18/02/2023 19:13

Goldandpurplezebra · 18/02/2023 18:27

I'd rather use £43 per week on a cleaner. That would be like 4 hours of cleaning a week.

Go for it if it works for you though.

£43 will only get you just over 2 hours of a cleaner here! 4 would be less than minimum age surely!! I’m a big fan of outsourcing things you don’t like doing though, so to the OP, go for it!

viques · 18/02/2023 19:18

We used to have three launderettes within walking distance. Last one has closed recently. Doesn’t really affect me because I very rarely wash duvets but I do wonder how people without a washing machine cope, when I was much younger, poorer and living in a fairly squalid flat share launderettes were a lifesaver.

helpfulperson · 18/02/2023 19:25

I used to do this when there was a laundrette near work. Worth every penny not to have wet washing in the house.

As others have said I'd far rather spend the money on this than a cleaner.

soboredtonight · 18/02/2023 19:26

If they is your vice then you crack on.

Goatinthegarden · 18/02/2023 19:26

I actually think it’s be more hassle to load all the washing into bags and drive to a laundrette than it would be to just do four loads of washing.

But if it makes your life easier, then go for it!

user1471538283 · 18/02/2023 19:28

I sometimes have a laundry pick up the bed linen and towels and I feel a wave of relief. Laundry is soul destroying. I've got a mountain to do. Again.

Original poster
laundryschmaundry · 18/02/2023 19:30

Needmorelego · 18/02/2023 19:13

Not something I would want to spend almost £50 on (I would have to add on bus or taxi fare).
But you know.... it's your money.
There's 3 of us in my family. Laundry bin gets full - put a load on. Takes about 2 minutes to move the stuff from laundry basket to washing machine. Switch washing machine on.
Washing finishes....remove and put on clothes horses or radiators. That takes like 5 minutes.
When dry put away. Also takes about 5 minutes.
I don't sort by colour unless it's something like a brand new pair of jeans which will get done with some towels for the first couple of washes.
There are about 10 gazillion other things I would rather spend 50 quid on.

The drying bit gets me- I have two dogs and they nick socks off the air er. Plus I hate damp washing in the house- the moisture has to go somewhere- so I end up using the tumble drier which is £££.

Then the folding... that takes me about a week if I'm honest.

I'm going to treat myself once a month I think- plus it sounds as though laundrettes need business!

OP posts:
Original poster
laundryschmaundry · 18/02/2023 19:31

Goatinthegarden · 18/02/2023 19:26

I actually think it’s be more hassle to load all the washing into bags and drive to a laundrette than it would be to just do four loads of washing.

But if it makes your life easier, then go for it!

It was 4 black sacks worth- probably 7/8 loads in my machine. The machines at the laundrette are much bigger!

OP posts:
blissbloob · 18/02/2023 19:32

Do they put it away for you as well though Grin that's the bit I struggle with. Wash and dry no problems, getting it to the correct draw/wardrobe impossible

NoseyNellie · 18/02/2023 19:35

Tryingtokeepgoing · 18/02/2023 19:13

£43 will only get you just over 2 hours of a cleaner here! 4 would be less than minimum age surely!! I’m a big fan of outsourcing things you don’t like doing though, so to the OP, go for it!

Show quote history

I wish - national minimum wage is currently £9.50 per hour - less if you’re under 23

Flamingle18 · 18/02/2023 19:35

I do this when on holiday! I take it to a launderette towards the end of the holiday and when we come home, there's only a few bits to do 😊. Usually cheaper abroad too.

Timeforachangeisitnot · 18/02/2023 19:36

Just to say, many dry cleaners offer service washes too. I used mine while DH & I were having work done on our house and we had to rent a flat.
Life is too short to wait for a washer dryer to do it’s thing.
I don’t use it often but it’s a god send if the washing machine breaks.

JimnJoyce · 18/02/2023 19:39

ive used a few times for bedding (inc dog bedding) and towels as live in a small flat with no
outdoor space.

Ihatethenewlook · 18/02/2023 19:41

Wouldn’t pay that to wash and dry my clothes. Would potentially pay almost that for someone to put them away

SettingPrecedents · 18/02/2023 19:43

I’ve done this a few times - after a holiday or if the laundry pile has got out of control! We’re sadly a bit far from a laundrette now, our old one charged £12 for an ikea bag full to be washed, dried and folded.