A question about Supermarket Laveries

SimonM

SimonM

Full Member

Messages
891
We have seen a number of supermarkets with washing machines and dryers alongside and have often wondered about them. We have never been for long enough to do more than a simple hand wash of smalls etc. but maybe there’s a need for longer trips?

How secure are they? For example do you simply load them up, grab a trolley and do the weekly shop, worrying that someone has taken a fancy to ‘her frillies’ whilst we’re shopping?
 
We use them all the time, and are at one now. No, you won’t get your clothes ( or hers) stolen. Depending on your programme, they generally take around 40 minutes for a wash. The doors are locked till if finishes. Some will send you a text when they are done.
So, stick your washing in and spend 40 minutes in the supermarket choosing a few nice bottles of wine.

image.jpg
 
I would endorse what snapster has said. Our experience this year was 8 weeks france and Spain with only 2 short weekend stays at campsites, a weekly visit for clothes and bedding was needed. When in France we find that Intermarche generally are the most likely to have a Laverie, usually a choice of cash or card. Many have washing powder already added which is ok but we prefer not to use Bio powder, so need to check. Start the load and go shop or sometimes we time it so as to have lunch in the van at the same time. The wash cycle cannot be interrupted, but if we use the tumble dryer, we can open the door at any point during the cycle and often do to remove items that dry quicker than others.

Spain has fewer supermarkets with big car parks and Lavanderias, but a quick internet search usually provides nearby facilities to the Aire if in an urban area. They tend to be on the ground floors of high rise apartments along with other retail outlets. They normally only take euro coins but normally there is a wall mounted machine that will take 5, 10 or 20 euro notes.

Both countries often have instructions in English or pictures of sequence, so easy to use.

Davy
 
On our first extended trip to Portugal this year (6 weeks instead of 2 :) ) we used the Intermarche a couple of times. Arrive, load washer, shop, switch washing from washer to dryer, have lunch, retrieve nicely dried washing. Retire to nearest beach to enjoy recently purchased wine. Simple and safe.
 
SimonM said:
We have seen a number of supermarkets with washing machines and dryers alongside and have often wondered about them. We have never been for long enough to do more than a simple hand wash of smalls etc. but maybe there’s a need for longer trips?

How secure are they? For example do you simply load them up, grab a trolley and do the weekly shop, worrying that someone has taken a fancy to ‘her frillies’ whilst we’re shopping?
Click to expand...
The 18Kg machines can cope with Frillies that score high on the Passion Killer Scale, so take a clean pair into the supermarket to carry the spuds and fruit. 2 problems solved in one move ... 🤭

We used the machine for the first time at Plainfaing last week. The text to confirm washing finished wouldn't work with a UK mobile, but we arrived about 3 minutes after the finish time to find the door unlocked (but still closed) and everything intact. The €10 price had risen to €12, but still good value for the volume we had, and the price includes the detergent

Steve
 
That sounds good to me, I’ll report back to memsahib so she’s aware for when we set forth in September (y)
 
Jo001 said:
There are a few in the UK too, the large load ones are very useful for washing winter duvets.
Click to expand...
I’ve looked on their lookup thingy and there’re 2 within a half mile from home. They could be very useful when we are away and can get a shop in at the same time.
 
HurricaneSmith said:
You lot are so modern.

Us....... Being ex-mountain campers we wash our stuff in a bowl and dry it on our portable rotary line. No codes, no money, and best of all, we can enjoy a dram whilst it dries.

Are we out of date? 🤣
Click to expand...
Not at all. SWMBO will do her smalls and tea towels and T-shirts by hand and we’ve got a portable rotary dryer. However, she has remarked about the Laveries we’ve seen, and now I’ve got some info for her.
 
They started to arrive in southern Ireland some years back, but now they are in many places up norf, Larne has two a half mile from the ferry port at subway carpark beside a filling station.
 
we used the one at mertola (portugal) couple of times card payment only i let lee sort that but it’s next to a supermarket lots of parking nearby perfect for lunch, when parked at Pomarao combination shopping & laundry morning works!
 
The laundrette in Armthorpe has notices about not putting animal bedding into the machines or horse riding clothing. It's always nice to see what's been in before you contaminate your frilly knickers or bedding.
 
SquirrellCook said:
The laundrette in Armthorpe has notices about not putting animal bedding into the machines or horse riding clothing. It's always nice to see what's been in before you contaminate your frilly knickers or bedding.
Click to expand...
I always give the machine a quick wipe round with a worn thong. It's going to need a heavy-duty clean anyway ... 🤭

Steve
 
We love them - when travelling in Spain/Portugal we store up the bedding then wash both sets, dry and 1set back on bed. Hand wash when necessary but usually fill the large machine…
Shopping while washing then coffee while drying….
 
marchie said:
We were going to use the washing machine at Zaragoza in Nov 2018 until the woman M/homer on the next pitch said how clean it got the dog blanket after its incontinence and vomiting episodes ... 👎

Steve
Click to expand...
Rather a soiled dog blanket than some peoples soiled undercrackers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top