Laundromats come with advantages; convenience, efficiency, cost savings, and so on. You also get what you may lack at home, that is, access to larger capacity machines and better cleaning power.
Moreover, using a laundromat can also lead to lower energy and water bills, as you’re not running appliances at home on a regular basis. However, it’s not everywhere you’ll encounter these advantages. Only on the best laundromats around where you are can guarantee these benefits.
How, then, do you get to separate the wheat from the chaff? Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
Modern, Efficient Machines
Think for a moment that you have a heavy load, say, a comforter, that won’t fit into your at-home washer. In that case, a commercial laundry service (or any place you like with good machines) can really help you out.
These businesses often have high-capacity washers and dryers that can handle large loads, front-loading machines (which are way more water-efficient than top-loaders, by the way), and variable cycle options (think delicate, heavy-duty, quick wash, etc.), all geared towards fitting your cleaning needs.
With such laundromats, you’ll need not worry about getting your heavy laundry clean. Once you’re done with it, and it’s time to render unto Caesar, there are a lot of payment options. If you’re all about tech, maybe Apple Pay. If you do credit or debit cards, you’re also accommodated. That’s a breath of fresh air from machines that only accept coins.
Transparent Pricing
Before you engage the services of a laundromat, you have to know exactly how much they are going to bill you. Ask, just to be sure, that there are no hidden fees lost in fine print.
One thing to look out for is clear signage of prices per load/dryer time. Say in laundromat A, signs clearly says “USD$3.00 per wash cycle” and “USD$0.50 every 10 minutes for drying.” There are no surprises here. You’ll know right off the bat how much you’ll need to part with.
On the other end of town is Laundromat B. They charge extra if you leave your laundry past 45 minutes. It’s not a problem if you already know how they play their game. But what if it’s not clear and the final price is way more than you had budgeted for?
Extended Hours, Safety and Accessibility
If you need to enjoy the convenience of the best laundromats in town, you need to go for one that gels with your time. That said, your cleaning schedule should fit right into their opening and closing hours.
Say you work late shift and often get the chance to do your laundry after midnight. Choose a laundromat that works 24/7 or stays open way after hours. Given these late hours, your security and safety should be at the forefront. Your chosen stop should have well-lit parking and entrance for safety.
In terms of accessibility, you should consider choosing a laundromat that’s conveniently located with an easy in/out access, and ample parking space. That’s convenience on a whole new level. Even better, it should be located near public transportation, in case you prefer to use this means over your personal vehicle.
Clean, Safe, and Welcoming Environment
A laundromat is all about getting your clothes clean. Now imagine walking into a business that doesn’t even live its philosophy? That can be quite an irony, if not outright discomfiting. So, to get the best experience, consider going to clean, well-maintained, and organized facilities.
These businesses should come with extras like folding tables, ironing stations, and lint rollers. But it’s not only the washing aspect that you focus on. You should also think about your comfort while waiting for your laundry.
These waiting rooms should come with comfortable seating, along with Wi-Fi, whether free or paid, and maybe a TV or charging stations. More points if it has a snack/vending machine.
No Overcrowding or Long Wait Times
If you’re pressed for time, the laundromat is the last place you may want to see much of it slip past you. That’s why choosing those with machine reservation apps can go a long way.
You check a laundromat’s website and see a live status board showing available machines. Or, if the tech allows, you use their mobile app to reserve a washer ahead of time. This allows you to plan ahead and steer clear of frustration that may come from having to wait your turn in overcrowded spaces.
Availability of Laundry Supplies
Maybe you were in a rush and forgot to carry your own detergents. In many laundromats, you’ll be in for a tough time. However, a good laundromat knows about this possibility and prepares effectively.
You’ll often see on-site detergent, fabric softener, and bleach dispensers. The point of all this is to make sure you’re not caught off-guard. You can also consider those with clean and functional vacuum stations.
Despite advancements in technology, some laundromats will still die on the coins or bills hill. In that case, consider taking your laundry to businesses that have coin changers or bill changers. You never know when you might need them.
Maintenance & Reliability
Imagine driving or working the whole length only to get to a laundromat that has been “closed for maintenance since Friday”. You’ve not only wasted your resources, but also time.
There’s no business that is immune to breakdowns. However, what separates normal businesses from good or great ones is how quick they jump on repairs, or how often they conduct basic maintenance to keep their machines well-oiled and up-to-par.
So, if there’s little downtime, they may be a service worth your time. Also, if there are staff on site to handle minor breakdowns or are easily reachable, it may be a good bargain.
Closing Thoughts
A laundromat is, by all intents and purposes, a tool for convenience for many people. However, that convenience can easily turn into frustration if the facility doesn’t live up to expectations.
That’s why you need to take your time to research and go for only the best laundromats your neighborhood has to offer. Consider this checklist while at it. In the end, you’ll go for what best fits your idea of comfort and convenience.