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AIBU

Launderettes.

(35 Posts)
Calendargirl Mon 21-Feb-22 08:29:34

We are fortunate to have a launderette in our small market town, and I occasionally use it to wash and dry our duvets, too big for my machine.

But I feel somewhat put off after reading comments on our local Facebook page. It seems that people are using the machines to wash ‘dog blankets and worse’.

I have no pets myself, and fully accept that the bedding needs washing. Also that, yes, the launderette is for public use. Just seems a pity that the pet owners obviously don’t want to use their own washers for this purpose, but don’t give a thought to others who need them to do their own regular laundry and probably have no alternative.

Pony Mon 14-Mar-22 19:14:46

?? Our launderette is near the stables where I keep my horse! Tbh - I wouldn't inflict my horse rugs on the launderette - mine go for wash reproof and repair once a year at the horsie laundry near the tack shop ?

FoghornLeghorn Sun 13-Mar-22 14:30:15

‘There's a big sign up in our local laundrette saying 'No Horse Blankets'.’

This has made me laugh. That must signify a launderette in a posh area. ?

Calendargirl Sun 13-Mar-22 10:53:51

Just an update from my original post.

Took my duvet to the launderette first thing this morning. Did a wash in one of the large machines, then tumble dried it. Checked and smelled inside them first, they seemed good to go.

Cost £7 for the wash, and I put £2 in the drier, will still need quite a bit of airing though.

So not cheap, but better for the environment than buying a new duvet and ditching the old one.

Chestnut Tue 22-Feb-22 08:00:46

Ali08

Take your duvets etc to a dry cleaners.

Very expensive, which is why people buy a new duvet instead. Or as I said just use single duvets which will wash in your home machine.

Ali08 Tue 22-Feb-22 02:07:40

Take your duvets etc to a dry cleaners.

sodapop Mon 21-Feb-22 21:19:15

In our case situated in the supermarket car park crazyH no separate building needed, just put in the washing then do your shopping. It's very useful for those of us living in rural areas.

crazyH Mon 21-Feb-22 20:58:15

What is a drive through Launderette?

Calendargirl Mon 21-Feb-22 20:43:06

Thanks FF.

FlexibleFriend Mon 21-Feb-22 18:45:43

I wash my pet bedding at home, I did it today in fact and the washing machine was not fit to used again afterwards. I then cleaned out the rubber seal and door and then put it on an empty wash. So I certainly see where the OP is coming from.
You can buy a mesh bag to put your washing in to protect items from picking up hairs etc.

NotTooOld Mon 21-Feb-22 17:57:49

Sago

We have a drive through launderette near us on a petrol station forecourt, I have used them for duvets but I do feel a little put off when I see horse rugs being pulled out.

I'm still wondering how a 'drive through' launderette works?
grin grin grin

Calendargirl Mon 21-Feb-22 17:54:52

tiredoldwoman

My friend used to work in a laundrette and had to refuse a kennel from using them . They were finding full poop bags swirling about their machines .

To quote Margot Leadbetter,

“I rest my case!”

tiredoldwoman Mon 21-Feb-22 17:40:22

My friend used to work in a laundrette and had to refuse a kennel from using them . They were finding full poop bags swirling about their machines .

PaperMonster Mon 21-Feb-22 17:35:24

The one I go to to use the tumble dryer asks that you don’t put any pet bedding in. Whether people take notice or not I don’t know!

Tizliz Mon 21-Feb-22 16:32:59

JaneJudge

I must be unusual then as when i was my dogs bedding there is hair left in the machine. I have to use a baby wipe to get it all out and then do an empty wash

I agree, I always clean the seal and drum then do a rinse programme. My dogs are very hairy and even then I find hairs on some clothes. Last time I used a launderette they had a separate machine for dog blankets.

Chestnut Mon 21-Feb-22 15:05:45

It sounds pretty gruesome if animal hair is picked up on your duvet, and I guess there's no guarantee this won't happen. You assume people will de-hair the item before washing it but some people are lazy and won't care. I don't think they should be allowed to dry animal blankets in the tumble drier at all, that is really not on. Any hairs left behind will be picked up by the next person.

Maybe the answer is to use single duvets (one for each person) then they will fit into a home machine. Just a suggestion.

Calendargirl Mon 21-Feb-22 13:21:26

Thanks nightowl, glad it’s not just me!

And Elizabeth27, yes, I was satisfied with my duvets before, but now the vision of hairy pet bedding and horse blankets is in my mind, and it puts me off!

sodapop Mon 21-Feb-22 13:00:28

I do the same thing JaneJudge after washing the dogs bedding. My machine has an auto clean cycle which does a quick wash through at a higher temperature.
A local launderette has a machine specifically for animal bedding etc.
We have several drive in launderettes here in France, usually in the car parks of supermarkets.

grannyrebel7 Mon 21-Feb-22 11:54:09

At least it would be clean dogs' hair smile Sorry couldn't resist that smile

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 21-Feb-22 11:50:25

Yes, I guess we’ve all done that!

Elizabeth27 Mon 21-Feb-22 11:40:34

Were you happy with your duvets before you knew?

I have washed items with vomit on them, it didn’t mean I got rid of the machine after.

nightowl Mon 21-Feb-22 11:06:36

Coastpath I wish there was a similar sign in our local launderette. Many people seem to wash horse rugs in there, and the smell in the dryers afterwards is very strong. I have regularly heard horse people say they take their rugs to the launderette as they wouldn’t choose to wash and dry them in their own machines. So I agree with the OP, and sympathise with people who have no choice but to use a launderette for their own laundry.

Kamiso Mon 21-Feb-22 10:43:33

Our duvet covers are super king size and a real problem to get dry since we moved into our ground floor flat.

OH took two to the dry cleaners/laundry service he used to take his work suits to. Came back washed, dried and even ironed beautifully for £8.50.

In the past when using the launderette we’ve got through more than £10+. The spin speed is very low so takes several goes to get items dried and, no matter what time of day we went, there was always a wait for the machines.

Coastpath Mon 21-Feb-22 10:40:41

There's a big sign up in our local laundrette saying 'No Horse Blankets'.

After I wash my dogs blankets I have to do the same as JaneJudge..but I do have a dog who sheds enough hair each day to make another dog.

I love the names people give laundrettes. I saw one in London last week called Bobo's Bubbles.

Calendargirl Mon 21-Feb-22 10:32:02

JaneJudge

I must be unusual then as when i was my dogs bedding there is hair left in the machine. I have to use a baby wipe to get it all out and then do an empty wash

Thanks JaneJudge for your comment.

I posted this under AIBU, and obviously I am!

But Jane’s remark about dog hair is what prompted me to add this, as according to the local community page, this is the least of what appears in the machines. Apparently, the bin in the launderette was used as a toilet by someone, so yes, I do wonder what goes in the machines.

And no MawBeMaw, I don’t object to greasy or dirty work overalls. I have washed plenty of my husband’s.

Believe me, if I could fit my duvets in my own washing machine, I would do them myself.

I am sure many people just throw away their used duvets as it is more cost effective to buy a cheapish new one than to keep washing and drying them, but I try and re-use as much as possible. Ditto taking them to be professionally laundered, quite expensive.

JaneJudge Mon 21-Feb-22 10:18:57

I must be unusual then as when i was my dogs bedding there is hair left in the machine. I have to use a baby wipe to get it all out and then do an empty wash