How does a laundrette work?

[TsunamiOfShit]

How long does it take? Do I have to wait there for the machine to finish? How much is it (typically)? Can you normally pay by card or is it cash only? If coins, what type of coins will I need to bring?

Washing machine has given up and I've never been to a laundrette in my life!

The machines are much larger and faster than domestic ones, c30 mins for a full wash. Most places its fine to leave whilst the machine is running but it's bad etiquette to leave it in the machine after the cycle has finished if people are waiting (and you never know if someone is going to take stuff if you have nice clothes). Round here, £3-6 a wash load depending o the size of the machine. I've only ever seen cash machines, bit lots of launderette have a change machine. Take lots of change, generally £1, 50p, 20p and 10p. Try to remember to take your own powder / tablets etc. There's often a vending machine if you forget, but it's extortionate. I wouldn't leave my stuff after it's in the tumble dryer, because anyone could open the door at any point. I'd be surprised if you can't be in and out in an hour or just over.

I only go a couple of tine a year, to do the king size duvet but I get a take away coffee and a book. I'm probably a bit weird but I find an hour sitting in there doing "housework" with toddler DS left at home with DH quite relaxing

I did the same when our machine packed in and I was amazed at what an enjoyable experience it was - quite sociable, lots of tourists (am in London) doing a mid-holiday wash who wanted to chat, and nice to sit down and read a book. Our local also does service washes so is "staffed", so to speak.

I think it was £6 for a 20-30 min wash and a few pounds to tumble, but to tumble you can "top up" the money, so put in 50p or whatever, see if it is dry after that and then repeat. You don't need to predict exactly how long you need tumble drying. There are normally communal laundry baskets to move your things but it won't be very far between the machines.

Read the instructions carefully for when to put the soap/money in and shut the door - at mine I think it is that you set up the machine with soap and clothes in, choose your setting, put in your money and then it starts when the door closes.

Thank you! I feel better about going now :-) Glad I'm not gonna be stuck all afternoon.

When my machine breaks I take my clothes to a launderette for a service wash. A full Ikea bag of clothes is £16-£18, they wash, dry and fold the clothes- I collect that afternoon or next day.

If you don't want to hang around then ask for a service wash, but bear in mind it might not be ready as quickly as if you stay and do your own washing and drying.

The laundrette near me is unmanned so no option of a service wash. All went well though, machines took 30 minutes. Me and 7yo DS waited and he didn't get too bored.

Very expensive though! £4 for a small machine and £6 for a large! And annoyingly you could only pay with £1 coins so had to go to shop to get change.

You can usually get a lot more into the industrial machines they have and the dryers take a fraction of the time domestic ones do. It's not until you need to use a launderette that you realise just how convenient having a machine at home is.

Can you take bedding that has 1 or 2 fleas on to a laundrette to be washed?
I can't face the washing myself.