Has anyone used a launderette recently?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I might be moving to a house with plumbing for a dw or a washing machine but not both. DW wins handsdown.

So, either I can drive to mil's to wash but it's a bit cheeky (we did pay for their last machine though) or go to a launderette.

I am also thinking that with their really big machines I can just do two washes, darks and whites.

We live opposite a laundrette so I use it when our machine is broken or I have bi loads to do.

I'm having trouble finding a laundrette near me. Dry cleaners by the dozen but no laundrettes . (I want to use the big drums to put the duvets in).

So I would check that there is one near you first. Is there the option to lose a cupboard and put the washing machine in there (and get the plumbing changed - not a big job can be done DIY, my SF did it for me a couple of years ago).

How much does it cost to do a wash?

It's a rented house or the cupboard would be out straightaway!

Laundrettes are the biz. I loved going to mine before our washing machine arrived - an hour's peace reading my book and waiting for the wash to finish. I think they have free wi-fi now! What's not to like

That said, I'm not sure I would want to have to do all my washing there, I don't know why - it feels remarkably odd to imagine having a dishwasher and no washing machine. I think if you can find a nice one with reasonable opening hours and you can manage without for a few days in case of snow or car out of action or whatever, you should be fine. My one does fabulous service washes where the guys fold everything so neatly nothing needs ironing when you get it back. Bonus.

Do you have children?

I have been using a laundrette for 6 month and I'd never pick a DW over a washing machine.

I admit at first I enjoyed it - somewhere warm to sit, DS loved it and I got to chat but it's not fun long term.

I hate having to clear a whole afternoon or morning for it when before it was easy to shove a wash on and get on with other stuff.

And having the entire family come down with D&V with no washing machine was a nightmare. Rinsing out sheets and duvets from the kids projectile vomit whilst trying mostly unsuccessfully to keep hold of my own stomach contents was not fun. Then carting those wet, smelly sheets down the road when I was still feeling crap had me practically in tears!

Oh and it's £4 a wash where I am. And it's about £5 for an hours tumble dry. But the dryers were big and could take about 3 loads which took just over an hour to dry.

It's just us two, I dont work ft so going out for the washing doesnt bother me as it's only once a week.

Washing up is daily and since my car crash it makes my back ache. Plus my job makes my back hurt anyway.

Oh I love launderettes too.. at home I squeeze everything around which is good in one way, but going to launderette is enforced thinking time - like on a bus reading, planning etc! Big drums, people watching bliss! IN fact am going to wash all my duvets soon now, thanks for reminder :)

I think it would work out pretty expensive to use the launderette for all your washing. I haven't used one for a while - but it was £3 or £4 for a wash.

If you want to do blacks, whites and colours - for example - even once a week would be £12 - plus the cost of tumble drying - as you won't want to take it all home wet.

I would go for a washing machine over a dishwasher anyday. Although I do at least two loads a day and there are only three of us here most of the time.

ALSO when I used to use them regularly I used to get EVERYTHING done in one go - folding the first to dry whilst bigger stuff stays in tumble... then bliss for a month!

£7.50 per wash here.

I would never choose a DW over WM!

I use the launderette to dry things but the washers can be a bit smelly.

P.s. I don't like the smell of launderettes.

There is one just around the corner - and when I walk past it there is that 'smell' of other people's drying laundry.

[shudder] - I am a bit precious though... ;)

I was just going to say that, no matter what detergent/conditioner I used it would all come out smelling like that launderette smell, hated it.

Oh well looks like MIL's machine is going to be getting a bashing then!

I don't think MIL's machine will be significantly better than leaving your stuff for a service wash, provided your laundrette is staffed by honest folk! If you've got to go to hers and then hang about til it finishes, this may take longer than doing the same thing at a commercial site.

I love going to our local launderette, our service wash is £5 so I can drop it off in the morning and pick it up whenever suits!

Yes I second the table top dishwasher, especially if only 2 of you.