Wealthy locals admit to loving laundromats

A recent column in the San Bernardino Sun reports that some residents with the financial means to buy private laundry equipment continue to prefer using public laundromats. The author, who recently purchased a suburban tract house with in-unit washer and dryer, expressed relief at escaping the need for quarters. However, a friend traveling with the author admitted to a persistent affection for these establishments despite having ample wealth. This preference extends beyond mere convenience, suggesting a specific cultural or sensory appeal to shared laundry spaces.

The column details the habits of a friend who owns a washer and dryer but still visits public facilities. This friend stopped using her home dryer after it caused a small fire from a short circuit. Instead of hiring an electrician, she abandoned the appliance entirely. She now frequents a specific laundromat that also operates as a bar, where she can drink a margarita while waiting. This friend also belongs to a private dog park that includes a bar and social hour, indicating a preference for combined utility and social spaces.

The author contrasts this with her own past experiences during college years. She described avoiding laundromats by accumulating a large quantity of unwashed underwear, eventually owning sixty pounds of them. She now prefers laundry services that return clothes folded in bags or uses hotel services while traveling. During a trip to Madrid, the author and a friend struggled with a washer-dryer combo located in the kitchen. They successfully used the washing function but could not operate the dryer, so they hung clothes on the balcony to dry.

The piece references a 1994 episode of the sitcom Friends where a character teaches another how to navigate a Manhattan laundromat. This scene is cited as a memorable depiction of the social dynamics in these spaces, including the management of machine availability among strangers. The author notes that such interactions were a common part of the college experience, often involving competition for space with students and workers.

The column invites readers to submit their own endings or experiences via email to mfisher@scng.com. The author suggests that the combination of laundry services with bars or social areas could be a viable business model for the region. She questions why local business owners have not adopted this hybrid approach, citing her friend's successful example in another state.

The narrative ends with the author's preference for professional cleaning services, particularly while traveling. She mentions having her clothes cleaned in the Sand River in Kenya by local Masai ladies. The clothes were stiff due to being pounded on a rock and dried in the sun, but they were clean. The author emphasizes that her goal is to have clothes washed without spending vacation time waiting for machines.

The column is part of a series where the author engages with readers on everyday topics. The specific query about laundromats arose from a conversation in a taxi in Las Vegas. The author thanks readers for their patience with her questions about household appliances, such as a coffee maker in Madrid that required audience assistance to operate.