A self service laundry

A self service laundry

A self-service laundry is a facility where clothes are washed and dried. They are known in the United Kingdom as launderettes or laundrettes, and in the United States, Canada, and Australia as laundromats (from the genericized trademark of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation)[1] or washaterias. George Edward Pendray created the word "laundromat" for Westinghouse.[1]
Contents[hide]
1 Staffed laundries
2 Launderettes UK
3 In popular culture
4 See also
5 References
6 External links
//

[edit] Staffed laundries
Some laundries employ staff to provide service for the customers. Minimal service centres may simply provide an attendant behind a counter to provide change, sell washing powder, and watch unattended machines for potential theft of clothing. Others allow customers to drop off clothing to be washed, dried, and folded. This is often referred to as Fluff & Fold, Wash-n-Fold, bachelor bundles, a service wash or full-service wash. Some staffed laundry facilties also provide dry cleaning pick-up and drop-off.

[edit] Launderettes UK
The first UK launderette was opened on 9 May 1949 in Queensway, London. UK Launderettes are mainly fully automated and coin operated and generally unmanned.[citation needed]

[edit] In popular culture
The film My Beautiful Laundrette was set in a a launderette in London.
The television series EastEnders has a launderette as one of its focal locations, with several important characters having served as employees.