Cleaners Compare Blog

The Spin Cycle of the Launderette

05 December 2016

The Launderette has been in some spins throughout its cycle. A launderette’s smell is distinctive with its soapy damp powdery smell and if there is a dry cleaners included then there is always that unmistakeable smell of perchloroethylene. (Perc)

The first launderette was opened on the 9th of may 1949 in Queensway London. The sixties proved to be a very popular and in urban areas you wouldn’t struggle to find a launderette, however over the past two decades the amount has fallen.

The rise in utility bills, rent for premises and the reduction in costs of domestic machines has led to the recent decline.

Many of those that have survived have expanded to run other operations within their launderette like ironing services, dry cleaning and services washes. Some others have added coffee areas, computers and gaming areas. At some you can even relax and watch a movie whilst waiting.

For many the launderette was and is a community hub. Washing your smalls in a public area is great place to catch up and catch up on all the latest news. Students, young professionals and senior citizens are among those who are keeping launderettes alive today and of course members of the public that need the bigger machines to wash their duvets every so often.

Over the world the names can change however the purpose stays the same. In the UK for example they are known as either a launderette or laundrette, whereas in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand then they go by the name of laundromats or washaterias.

Over the years they have been an essential part of many people’s lives and still are. Within 'EastEnders' soap opera there are often suds flying as it is a key location with many of the characters having worked as employees. The most famous probably being Dot Cotton.

There was also the iconic Levis advert that was filmed in a 1950’s style launderette but actually made in 1985. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT4DR_ae_4o Very clever advertising and well worth a watch.

In 1985 (the Thatcher years) My Beautiful Laundrette, a British comedy-drama was filmed in a laundrette in London.

The ‘Young Ones’ filmed an episode where they make a trip to the launderette, their first in almost 3 years.

Nivea wrote a song called Laundromat and Albert King’s signature blues album ‘Born Under a Bad Sign’ included a song called 'Laundromat Blues'.

Here at Cleaners Compare we love the launderette and we understand that in order to stay in business you need to cover cost and preferably make a profit. We have all the machines either new or used to help keep your launderette running today. Please take a closer look on our site.