22nd Mar 2023 Launderette

Do People Still Use Coin Laundry?

EastEnders fans are used to seeing scenes play out in the coin-operated launderette, which Walford legend Dot Cotton ran for decades 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.

Quick Answer: Yes, people still use coin launderettes, but far fewer than before. Around 2,000 remain in the UK today, down from 12,500 in the mid-1980s. People mainly visit them to wash bulky items like duvets, when travelling, or if they do not own a washing machine at home.

What is coin-operated laundry?

Coin-operated laundry UK (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, and partly because people were carrying less cash; contactless bank cards became widely available from around 2007.

In the UK, there are now only around 2,000 launderettes, down from 12,500 in the mid-1980s.

Do people still use coin laundry?

Are launderettes still popular UK-wide, or are they a dying business?

Well, people still use coin-operated laundromats due to their convenience. For instance, if you need to wash a heavy, bulky item (such as a duvet and pillows), launderettes usually have larger washing machines that can accommodate them.

What’s more, launderettes can be 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 all over the UK. So why are launderettes closing?

In 2020–2021, the Covid-19 pandemic slowed business further for local launderettes. Lockdowns prevented people from leaving their homes to do laundry, and social distancing restrictions made sharing communal machines unappealing.

From 2022, the cost of living crisis pushed up energy, gas and electricity bills significantly, forcing many launderette owners to raise their prices, resulting in a substantial drop in turnover.

This means the future of launderettes UK-wide remains 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 dryers, 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, they use a liquid solvent or chemical cleaning agent to remove stubborn stains and unpleasant odours from dirty garments.

During dry cleaning, the first step is removing any loose debris, followed by applying 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?

Avoid leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for longer than 8 to 12 hours, as damp environments encourage mould and bacteria growth. For detailed timing guidelines, read how long clothes can stay in the cleaners.

Where can I find laundry and dry cleaning services?

We at Love2Laundry offer laundry and dry cleaning services, which you can access from your smartphone.

We operate an on-demand laundry service in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bolton and Bury.

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 offer ironing services, dry cleaning, linen services, shoe repairs, upholstery cleaning and alterations.

All you have to do is place an order online on our website, or through our mobile app (available for iOS and Android).

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.

Try Love2Laundry

If you need laundry or dry cleaning without the trip to a launderette, Love2Laundry offers a door-to-door collection and delivery service across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bolton and Bury. Wash, dry and fold starts from £3.10 per kg. New customers get 25% off with code TRYME25 on orders above £21.99. Book via the website or the app on iOS or Android.

Read more

FAQs

Are coin launderettes in the UK still being used?

Yes. People still use coin launderettes in the UK, though numbers have fallen sharply. Around 2,000 remain today, down from 12,500 in the mid-1980s. Most visits are for bulky items like duvets, travel laundry, or when a home machine is unavailable.

Are UK launderettes closing down because of rising costs and low footfall?

Yes. Launderettes are closing for several reasons. Most UK households now own a washing machine at home. Energy bills rose sharply from 2022, pushing up prices. Covid reduced footfall in 2020–2021, and fewer people carry coins for older coin-only machines.

Can you pay by card at a coin launderette in the UK?

Yes, but not at all. A growing number of launderettes now accept contactless card and mobile payments. However, many older machines are still coin-only, so it is worth checking ahead before you visit, especially outside major city centres.

Is there a door-to-door alternative to visiting a coin launderette?

Yes. A door-to-door laundry pickup service is a convenient alternative to a coin launderette. Services like Love2Laundry collect your items, wash, dry and fold them, and deliver them back to your door within 48 hours, covering London, Manchester and Birmingham.