So the engine is fried on one car and today, as I was going to take 2 loads of wet clothing to the laundromat to dry them, the exhaust fell apart on our other car. Ask me how I feel about that.
Young Son and I carried the 2 baskets of heavy, wet laundry to the laundromat 8 or so blocks away. We groused most of the way there, pausing periodically to give our arms a rest.
After throwing the laundry into dryers, we had a half-hour to kill in the laundromat. We both observed how trashed the place looked. What is it about laundromats that they tend to be slummy and filthy, places no one feels safe hanging out in? As we discussed the general state of disrepair, I told Young Son my vision of an ideal laundromat.
An ideal laundromat would …
Be clean.
Have all front-loading washers (no top-loading models).
Have a lounge-like seating area, with couches, upholstered chairs & footstools, along with a few cafe tables & chairs.
Have free wi-fi internet access.
Have a coffee shop/snack bar.
Have an area for young children to play (so they don’t get bored and start playing with the laundry carts or sitting on the washing machines or folding tables).
Have an attendant to make the place feel safer, to assist with any laundry issues, and to keep the place well-maintained.
Is this really too much to ask? Does the laundromat experience have to be an onerous one?
[Someone. Anyone. Steal my idea. PLEASE!!!]
I run 5 stores in the PA NJ area that have all of what you mentioned except the snack bar. Could you live with a few vending machines as an alternative?
the laundromat near our first apartment was actually pretty nice. you could get a wireless signal, but I think it was borrowed from another property who didn’t have it secured. (I never got to use it, though, even if we’d had a laptop then — and we didn’t — I had to take the bus to do laundry, and my hands/load was already big enough without a computer in tow!)
But it was clean. And felt safe. And full of mostly students (it was a college town). But it’s the ONLY one I’ve been in that didn’t feel seedy. I’m glad we have our own washer and dryer now so I don’t have to brave the ones around here!
Is it getting to chilly up there to line dry?
Daniel – As long as the other things were in place (esp. an attendant), I could live with vending machines.
Erin – I’m glad you’ve been able to experience the ideal laundromat. I know what you mean about having to carry laundry and how hard it would be to juggle a laptop, too.
We’re not cold yet. Actually, we’ve had an abnormally warm September. Today we’re expecting rain later, but we’ve got a great wind for drying clothes. I’ve got stuff on the line now, in fact.
I wonder how much you would be willing to pay per load to have all these things at your ideal laundromat. I’m not sure what you pay now, but say all these things were in place, would you be willing to pay a little extra to cover all those extra amenities? Especially an attendant who would have to be paid minimum wage, that knocks out the profit of a couple loads each hour. Just some thoughts. I do like all your ideas though! That would be a great place to do laundry.
Hi, Uriah – When I look back at the list of desirable qualities in a laundromat, the two that would be most costly are the free wi-fi and the attendant, as you pointed out. Keeping a laundromat clean shouldn’t cost much and would help to attract business. Front-loading washers use less water than top loading models and also spin the clothing out more thoroughly so clothes don’t have to be in the dryer for as long. A little creativity would allow a business owner to scrounge up the lounge furniture and children’s play area stuff at a low cost. Managed properly, the coffee shop/snack bar should be able to at least pay for itself or, preferably, make a profit. (Why run the business otherwise?)
I would definitely be willing to pay more per load if the free wi-fi and attendant were available at the laundromat. By creating a pleasant experience, such a laundromat should be a competitive part of the market.