Laundromat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A laundromat (U.S.), launderette or laundrette (British) is a facility where clothes are washed and dried. Laundromats which have staff to wash the clothing are sometimes referred to as fluff-n-Fold or drop-off services. Sometimes known as 'Washing Units'.
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[edit] Etymology
The name "Laundromat" was originally coined by Westinghouse as a trademark for washing machines. The term is often used as a generic word for a self-service laundry, as the original registration for this use was allowed to expire.[1] The word (in script form) is still a registered trademark for Westinghouse washing machines[2]. The New York Times and Microsoft Word still capitalize "Laundromat."
[edit] Self-serve washing and drying machines
The cleaning of clothing in a laundromat is usually done by the customer via self-service coin-operated washing machines and dryers, usually specialized ones designed to survive heavy use. Often, bill changers are included to facilitate the coin operation of the machines. In many laundromats, cleaning supplies such as detergent and bleach are sold from vending machines.
The washers in many laundromats are of the front loading variety. This design uses less water and provides a gentler wash. Capacities of these machines can allow up to 85 pounds of dry weight laundry. In addition, the lower resource consumption of the front loader decreases the impact upon the infrastructures of the community.
Recently, there has been a switch to card-operated machines. The laundry will issue a plastic gift card, similar to a credit card, which will contain a monetary value which has been pre-paid, and the user inserts that card into a slot on the washer or dryer (instead of coins) in order to operate the machine.
[edit] Non-commercial laundry rooms
In many apartment buildings and complexes in most parts of the United States, a dedicated common laundry room is provided for the exclusive use of the residents. Coin-operated washers and dryers are provided in a set-up similar to that of commercial laundromats. In apartment buildings in Sweden the room is known as Tvättstugan.
Many colleges and universities provide laundry rooms for students living in school-operated dormitories on campus. Many hotel and motel chains also provide these laundry rooms for their guests. In the United States, regional companies operate contracted services that maintain coin-operated laundry equipment for a site owner. For example, an apartment complex owner splits the take from the development's laundry equipment income with the contractor. The contractor supplies and maintains the laundry machinery.
[edit] Staffed laundromats
Some laundromats employ staff to provide service for the customers. Minimal service centers may simply provide an attendant behind a counter to provide change, sell laundry detergents, and watch unattended machines for potential theft of clothing. Others allow customers to drop off clothing for staff members to sort and put the loads through the machines.
[edit] See also
- Fulling, an ancient method of cleaning wool and cloth
