Posted on love2laundryLaunderette
EastEnders fans are used to seeing scenes play out in the coin-operated launderette, which was run by Walford legend Dot Cotton for 55 years in the long-running soap.
The golden age of launderettes in Britain was between 1950 and 1980, just before washing machine ownership increased substantially in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
So, do people still use coin laundry? We will explore this question in this article, which we hope you find interesting.
What is coin-operated laundry?
Coin-operated laundry (also known as self-service laundry) refers to the process of inserting coins into communal washing machines or tumble dryers to clean clothes.
The first coin-operated launderette in Britain was opened in Queensway, London in May 1949, and it still exists today!
Over the following decades, more coin-operated launderettes opened across the country. So, it was a regular fixture of life to visit a launderette every week, dragging your washing basket with you, along with plenty of change.
By the 2010s, launderettes began declining in popularity, because the vast majority of people owned their own washing machines, but also because people no longer carried as much cash with them (thanks to the invention of contactless bank cards in 2007).
In the UK, there are only around 3,000 launderettes left, compared to the 12,500 that existed in the early 1980s.
Do people still use coin laundry?
So, do people still use coin laundry? Are they a dying business?
Well, people still use coin-operated launderettes due to their convenience. For instance, if you need to wash a heavy, bulky item (such as a duvet and pillows), then launderettes usually have larger washing machines which can accommodate these.
What’s more, launderettes come in useful for tourists and people who are travelling. This enables them to return home with clean clothes, rather than carrying around wet or dirty clothing inside their suitcases!
There are some launderettes which allow you to pay by card (contact and contactless), as well as Apple Pay; however, it is rarer to find these in the UK, especially if they still use older, industrial machines which only accept coins and notes.
What is the future of coin laundry?
As we have mentioned already, coin-operated launderettes are witnessing a decline in popularity all over the UK.
In recent years, we have had the Covid-19 pandemic, which slowed down business even more for local launderettes. The lockdowns prevented people from leaving their homes to get their laundry done, while social distancing restrictions and fears of the coronavirus spreading meant that people didn’t want to share communal washing machines with other people.
What’s more, the cost of living crisis has hiked up energy, gas and electricity bills, which means that launderette owners are having to hike up their prices, resulting in a substantial drop in turnover.
This means that the future of coin-operated launderettes is uncertain. Launderettes are essential services, however, many of them are closing down because they cannot afford to continue trading.
What is the difference between a launderette and dry cleaners?
A launderette will have large washing machines and tumble dryer machines, so you can visit them and wash or dry your clothes yourself.
Whereas, professional dry cleaners will clean your clothes without using water. Instead of water, a liquid solvent, or chemical cleaning agent, is used to remove stubborn stains and repugnant odours from dirty garments.
During dry cleaning, the first step is removing any loose debris, followed byapplying the solvent, which is heated until it becomes a vapour; then, the heat dissolves the impurities from the clothing fibres.
Can I leave my clothes in the washing machine overnight?
We would not recommend leaving your freshly washed clothes in the washing machine overnight.
Try not to let your wet clothes sit inside the washing machine for longer than 8 to 12 hours.
Allowing your wet clothes to sit for hours can encourage the growth of mould and harmful bacteria on your garments and in the washing machine (due to the damp, humid environment).
This would mean you would have to wash your clothes all over again, which defeats the whole objective.
Where can I find laundry and dry cleaning services?
We atLove2Laundryoffer laundry and dry cleaning services, which you can access from your smartphone.
We operate an on-demand laundry service inLondon,Manchester,Birmingham,BoltonandBury.
We provide a door-to-door service, so we will collect your items, wash, dry and fold or hang them up, and then deliver them straight to your door!
Across London, we also offerironing services,dry cleaning,linen services, shoe repairs, upholstery cleaning and alterations.
All you have to do ismake an order online on our website, or through our mobile app (available foriOSandAndroid).
You can choose a location and time slot that works for you, and our friendly couriers will collect your laundry items. We will then professionally clean your items and return them to you- all within 48 hours!
Weekend and evening slots are available, which is why our laundry and dry cleaning services are so popular with busy families, working professionals and students.
How much does the Love2Laundry service cost?
Our prices are affordable- for example, our ‘wash, dry, and fold’ package starts from £2.80 per kg.(View the prices on our website here.)
To get a load of laundry washed, chooseour ‘6kg Wash Dry & Fold’ package, which is only £16.85. For context, a 6kg wash is enough to washaround 30 shirts or a dozen bath towels.
If you would prefer to separate your laundry into individual items, then we can also accommodate this. For instance,it costs £2.75 to wash, iron and hang a shirt.
For dry cleaning, we have different costs per item- e.g. the price isjust £25.50 to dry clean a two-piece suit and five shirts.
Are you too busy to figure out whether to separate your laundry or go for a 6kg wash? Then simply go onour website and click ‘Skip This Step: Just Send Me A Bag And I’ll Fill It’.
We offer a 25% discount on laundry and dry cleaning for all new customers, so, get booking withLove2Laundrytoday!
AtLove2Laundry, withour ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme, you and your friend can get £10 off if you refer them. There is no limit to how many friends you can refer, so you and your friends can take part in our scheme and make great collective savings!
How do I pay for my order atLove2Laundry?
AtLove2Laundry, we are not your typical launderette. We operate a cashless system, so you will pay for your order via our mobile app oronline via our website. We accept various forms of payment including American Express, Visa and MasterCard.
No more worrying about finding the correct change, or physically dropping off your laundry items- simply input your order with just a click of your fingers, and the rest is up to us!
Love2Laundry’s Hotel Quality Linen Cleaning Service in London
Here atLove2Laundry, we also offer anon-demand linen cleaning service for hotels and Airbnb hostsin London. Simply make an order, and we will pick up your dirty linens on the same day and professionally clean them for you.
We also offer all the essentials that you need to keep your guests comfortable and happy, including a complete range of bed linens, towels, hotel toiletries, bath mats, kitchen cloths and more.
Click here to learn more aboutour Hotel Quality Linen Cleaning Service in Londonand request a quote.
Read more articles like this
To read more articles about laundry and dry cleaning, click here to readour blogarticles on:
- What is Online Laundry Service?
- What Is a Self-Service Laundry Called?
- Where Is the Nearest Launderette to Me?
- Is There Any Laundry App for Dry Cleaning?
- How Do You Use the Laundry App?
- How Do Beginners Do Laundry?
- Stain Removal: 13 Best Ways on How To Get Stains Out of Whites
- How Much Does It Cost to Do Laundry Per Week?
- How Much Does It Cost to Run a Washing Machine Per Hour UK?
- How Do You Get Your Laundry Done While Travelling?
About Love2Laundry
Love2Laundryis one of the leading laundry service providers in the UK, serving London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bolton and Bury.
We have an array of services to make your household chores easy for you: we offerlaundryanddry cleaning, as well aslinen services,ironing,shoe repairs, upholstery cleaning andalterations.
Learn more about Love2Laundry’s dry cleaning and laundry services by visitingour website here.
Download our Love2Laundry app on theApple App Store hereor onGoogle Play here.
Contact us atinfo@love2laundry.comor0203 600 0296.
We hope this article has provided the answer to the question, ‘do people still use coin laundry?’
Check outour blog hereto read more articles like this.
