Here are my reviews of laundrettes I have known. Please feel free to email me with your laundrette reviews and I will add them here, with full credit given, of course.
This has to be the ultimate laundrette. It has everything - big washers and dryers (second dryer from left worked the best), quietness, an eclectic mix of users, and best of all it is almost next door to a pub (can’t remember the name, sorry). So if reading or chatting aren’t an option, there’s always boozing to pass the time.
It is on the main bus route, and is right in the centre of Moseley, which is a buzzing place, so is excellent for people watching. A top laundrette all round.
9 and 1/2 out of 10, only because there never seemed to be an attendant there and sometimes the washing powder machines were empty which was annoying if you were relying on them - but there’s a nearby supermarket.
I’m never sure which of these areas is which, but this laundrette is on the road which leads off to Tysley.
Handy for the buses and always attended, this laundrette is very busy. The machines would often break down, and the people washing their smalls were all a bit loud for my liking - don’t go thinking you’ll be able to concentrate on your Balzac here.
It also looked a bit grubby, but was always nice and warm, even if the dryers weren’t working. The few dryers that did work would often be in full use, so a trip here could take some time....
5 out of 10
I can’t remember much about this one, it is on a road to the left off the main arterial route out of Brum into Acocks Green, the same road as the Station is on.
The main point to note here is that you should NEVER have a service wash here, as when I did my washing there one time I heard the attendants commenting on a girl’s pants after she picked up her service wash. EEEEEEEK!
It’s quite claustrophobic on there too, so I only used it about twice.
2 out of 10.
Dates used - 2003 to present day
Very welcoming, very small, and constantly attended as it is also a dry-cleaner's. The staff (well, there's only one - don't call her Dot) get full marks for helpfulness and friendliness; and the place itself has the advantage of being close to amenities but not in full view of all passers -by. This could make it boring, so take a book, just in case. However, if you go to the sandwich shop next door you can get a very cheap cup of not-bad coffee: and the young chap behind the counter is looking for potential girlfriends for his Uncle, should you be interested. On a good day, the banter between the staff of these two establishments is worth washing to watch.
8 out of 10
The Internet Laundrette
At Fern Tree Gully, Australia. Useful links and laundrette information.
Winchelsea Laundrette Service
In Australia too. Don’t Australians own washing machines?
LAUNDERETTE LIST
A comprehensive list of launderettes near the waterways in the U.K.
Laundromats and Dry Cleaners in East London
A washing experience
From obsess.com
Laundrette employs fish as cleaners
From The Copenhagen Post
A SERVICE WASH
A short story by Annie Clarkson
Be a Laundry Worker!
Info from Kiwi Careers in New Zealand
Berlin's laundrette-cafes
Why All Berlin Comes Out for the Wash - from buzzle.com
Dirty students let down by Admin
by Sonia Mullett. What happens when a laundrette strategy goes wrong.
Pages From a Silkscreen Board Book.
The Laundrette
From Trail of Thoughts
Laundrette rage
at Surrey Students’ Union
Exercise 3.4.4 The Launderette
Laundrettes - suitable subjects for study.
Please contact me if you would like your laundrette link listed here!
akmadan@easynet.co.uk