Laundry in the slope -a rant

kosherdave · May 2006

Has anyone noticed that the Laundromats in PS are complete dives? The closest laundry places to me are along 7th between 5th street and, say 1st. I generally go to one on the corner of 1st and 7th ave because it is a little LESS crappy and run-down than the one I used to go to closer to 5th street, which is really dirty and dodgy.

This weekend I was doing laundry, and noticed one of the machines did not put out any water. My clothes were tumbling around for a good 15 minutes, dry. I mentioned this to an old man working there who proceeded to bitch me out saying I was a smart ass and did not know how to use a laundry machine and that I over loaded it (it was a triple loader, half filled).

I said I didn't want to argue, I just wanted to re-run it and wanted my 4 bucks back and I'd load less next time, and after 10 minutes of arguing, he reluctantly gave me my money after trying to give me only two bucks.

Then he accused me of being a "young person" who thought I knew everything and that this was what happens when you start doing laundry on your own for a change. Oops, sorry I guess I could not possibly know more than a person who runs a laundry mat, and for the record, I've been doing laundry "on my own" for more than 2 decades, which, by the way, is not as long has his ancient machines have been around. What the fuck?! He then started to yell at two other "young guys" because they were closing the door to a machine to hard, never mind the fact that the handles are practically falling off anyway due to neglect and old age.

When I lived way out in Bensonhurst, there was this awesome Laundromat near my place, clean, well maintained and with a friendly staff (much less expensive too). Is this too much to ask for in Park Slope?

I'm sending my laundry out from now on.

brookfetish · May 2006

Back before you hipsters moved in, we didn't have these problems. In fact, we didn't even have places to do our laundry. We did it at home with a washboard and a bucket.

So while you're sipping on your fancy martini while doing your laundry in one of those rich-folk/yuppie laundry "huts", us natives will be at home scrubbing our knickers.

brooklyn aphrodite · May 2006

In the 8 months I've lived here, I've never gotten over the craziness of this laundry situation.

The one closest to me (Union, next to the Tea Lounge) isn't open early enough or late enough to allow me to do my laundry during the work week. On the weekends I must wake pre-dawn or else battle the thousands of other users. So rather than wear the same under-roos for three days straight, I'm forced to drop off my laundry and pay someone else to do it. I'm sorry, but the only person I want handling my unmentionables (or should expect to, for that matter) is me...maybe it's my humble Midwestern up bringing, but back in Ohio (oh geez, I've turned into one of those people, sorry) you did your own laundry. Period.

Wouldn't it make sense for landlords to put w/d in the buildings? I mean, I'm eating Ramen anyway to afford rent, but I'd give up eating every other day if it meant paying $50 a month or whatever for w/d access at 2AM in my robe. Is that even feasible or does the city make that ungodly expensive as well?

laura · May 2006

I have to say, since I moved from the "nice" part of Park Slope (3rd Street) to the ass-end of nowhere (13th Street), I love my laundromat (on 13th just off of 5th). The guy who runs it is the sweetest man - holds the door open for me, asks if my laundry turned out ok, pats me on the shoulder like a dear old friend. The last load I did was still damp when I went to take it out of the dryer - turned out the dryer was a dodgy one where you had to turn the temperature knob way up. Well, he just fell over himself apologizing for not noticing or warning me about it, and gave me a bunch of quarters to finish the drying.

And yeah, I'm the only person I want handling my unmentionables too. Back in Michigan ...

steve · May 2006

Dave, I've done my laundry at the place between 3 and 4 for 2 years, I lie across the st. The people that work there have made children cry on site. The place on 8th isn't much better. Both are decrepit and disgusting. The place on 13th was great, I miss it.

laura · May 2006

steve wrote: Dave, I've done my laundry at the place between 3 and 4 for 2 years, I lie across the st.

The bickering Russian guys with the fingernail fungus, yes? Thank god I don't have to go there any more (shudder).

steve · May 2006

laura wrote: [quote=steve]Dave, I've done my laundry at the place between 3 and 4 for 2 years, I lie across the st.

The bickering Russian guys with the fingernail fungus, yes? Thank god I don't have to go there any more (shudder).

Yep, that's the one. I wish I had a sensible, better option, but I'm stuck with those charmers.

laura · May 2006

steve wrote: Yep, that's the one. I wish I had a sensible, better option, but I'm stuck with those charmers.

Hey, I went there for 14 years because it was the closest place. I can only drag my laundry so far.

anonymous · May 2006

There's a great laundromat next to the NYSC on 9th St between 5th Ave and 6th Ave. I actually felt guilty when I bought a washer/dryer for my place because the people there were sooooooooo nice. They knew me by the second time I went there.

linusvanpelt · May 2006

Brooklyn Aphrodite wrote: Wouldn't it make sense for landlords to put w/d in the buildings? I mean, I'm eating Ramen anyway to afford rent, but I'd give up eating every other day if it meant paying $50 a month or whatever for w/d access at 2AM in my robe. Is that even feasible or does the city make that ungodly expensive as well?

I rent out one floor of my house. I'd like to put in laundry, but I would want to get more than $50/month extra to make it worth it. The cost of the machines and initial hook up is not necessarily that much -- I assume I'd recoup it in a couple years -- but one bad leak and you're talking water damage that could run into the thousands to fix. (And, possibly, a tenant witholding rent while I get it fixed.) My plumber sees washing-machine disasters in rentals all the time. So I'd want to make sure it was bringing in enough to cover possible repairs down the road, and I'm not sure many tenants are willing to pay for it.

That's me, anyway, but I don't know what keeps a bigger landlord from doing it, given that he/she would be collecting more rent from a number of tenants. Tho, under rent stabilization, I imagine the rent increase for adding laundry is limited--maybe too limited to make it worth the risk?

anonymous · June 2006

Subject: latenight laundry

are there any 24-hour laundromats or at least places that are open late? anything near 4th/5th/6th aves, 7th/8th/9th streets. thanks.

stacey · June 2006

Subject: Re: latenight laundry

new kid wrote: are there any 24-hour laundromats or at least places that are open late? anything near 4th/5th/6th aves, 7th/8th/9th streets. thanks.

Closest one that I know of is 4th ave and I think 20th or 25th Street

anonymous · June 2006

There used to be a 24hr place on 4th Ave, at about 7th or 8th street. Only been there once in a dire laundry emergency but it seemed okay.

I go to Kleen Machine on 5th Ave, by 1st (a bit out of the way for you though!) Yes it's a bit more expensive than other places and it's crazy in there at the weekend, but the place is spotlessly clean and the people that work there are generally friendly and helpful. And they're open 'til 10 or 11pm weeknights.

Laundry in the slope -a rant

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