Laundrette first-timer!!!

organic_wanabe

When DS was younger (before he had opinions of his own!) and we all had cream coloured bedding, I always took all the bedding to a launderette once per week. It meant it could all be done in the one large washer and it could be washed, dried and back on the beds within a few hours no matter the weather. Meanwhile, at home, other washing was being done in my own washing machine. It was a quick and cost-effective method, and also gave me the opportunity to get the Saturday papers read without feeling guilty.

Lalaladybird

I normally do about 6 loads a week and dry the laundry outside, weather permitting, but with the winter weather I was wondering whether it would work out cheaper to go to the launderette and do 3 bigger loads and use the tumble dryers instead of turning the heating on in the house just to dry laundry (I use airers but the laundry just won't dry unless the heating is on). Has anyone tried this?

organic_wanabe

About 4 years ago, when DS was younger I had cream bedding on his bed and also on our bed. I used to take all the bedding to the launderette each week, get it all washed, dried and then back on to the bed within a morning or afternoon. Can't remember what it worked out at (something like £2.40 for the machine and £1.00 for the drier), but I reckoned that it was well worth it. No tumbler drying costs plus less wear and tear on the washer and drier. No longer works for us because we now have different colours of bedding. When we built our new kitchen and utility room I made sure we had room for a pulley above a radiator. Try it for a week or two and see how you get on.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I don't know whether they still allow it, but our landrette used to allow you to use just the tumble dryers as long as there was not anyone waiting who had done washing. It might be worth asking. In fact I may do this myself as I have had trouble getting all the washing dry the last couple of weeks. And I have been on holiday. Like you, I have been putting the heating on to dry.
I do have a dryer , but it is a washer dryer. It taker 90 mins to even dry a small load, so not nearly as efficient as a stand alone dryer (which I don't have room for) because the dishwasher is more important to me.
Have you got space for a tumble dryer? they are not very expensive to buy or run.

nesssie1702

I've been getting washing dried outside just now - the drying has been really good in the evenings. It might be dark, but the wind is still drying things.

Try and use the laundrette's tumble driers if you can

belfastgirl23

If I was doing this I'd go the little bit extra and pay for the service charge - worth checking out, I know where I am it's not that much more expensive and it does save you a lot of time. It's also all returned folded etc which is great!

OddjobKIA

WE use our own washing machine and tumble dryer.....(there are 6 of us)...

I would if I could get a Tumble dryer from a laundrette installed in our utility room if I could..

Also the pulley thing buxton rabbit mentioned is very good..AM making my own slowly

Edinburghlass_2

My nearest laundrette is around £7 for a service wash so certainly not a cheap option and they won't allow you to use the dryer on washing not done in their machines.

Penelope_Penguin

It's ages since I've used a launderette, so nothing more to add I'll add this to the existing thread on launderettes to keep ideas together

Penny. x

recovering_spendaholic

£7 for a service wash:eek: My local launderette charges me £8 to service wash and dry (the service element is £1) the equivilant of 3 washing machine loads at home, or £3 to dry the same amount. I usually choose the service dry only and wash the stuff at home, because I think that my machine gets the clothes cleaner for some reason. I don't have a tumble dryer and won't get one because of space and cost, but reckon that £3 a week is okay to pay as it all comes back beautifully folded!