This year has not been great so far. We are currently facing a pandemic and it has affected all aspects of our life, including how we do our laundry. If you’re wondering why laundry is such a big deal. The laundromat industry in the United States generates $5 billion in gross revenue each year. Although the number of Americans that use laundromats isn’t measured, it is one of the most important industries in the country.
Despite the fact that the industry altogether earns plenty of money, laundromats are small businesses that people (who run them) rely on to provide for their families. And depending on which state you live in, laundromats are considered an essential service. It’s clear to see why laundromats are so important. Not only for the people who use their services but for the people who handle the shops too.
However, there are plenty of concerns about laundromats and their safety. Many people are scared that there is a possibility of catching the virus in laundromats. To be frank, you can catch the virus anywhere if you aren’t following the guidelines set by the CDC. So, what does that mean? It just means that as long as you follow CDC guidelines — such as wearing a mask, social distancing, carrying alcohol or sanitizer with you, and avoid touching your face when you’re outside — you’ll be fine.
These guidelines are set so that you can protect yourself from the virus, no matter where you go. So as long as you follow these guidelines, you’ll be fine, even in the laundromat.
If your concern isn’t much about the laundromat, but the virus latching onto the laundry. Here’s what you need to know: COVID-19 is an enveloped virus. In simple terms, an enveloped virus gets killed easily by being exposed to certain environmental agents such as heat or detergents. Since laundromats’ main purpose is to clean your clothing, if there are any viruses latched onto your laundry it’ll die during the washing and drying process. That is also why it’s so important to wash your hands and use alcohol after you’ve touched a surface. All you need to protect yourself — and others — from this virus is by practicing proper hygiene, social distancing, and wearing a mask.
But if you’re still too scared to go to the laundromat yourself, don’t worry. You have other options. Laundromats have found a way to adapt to the new normal and have provided a new service for those who are still afraid to go outside their homes. Drop-off laundry services are now a thing. You simply schedule a pick-up online, and they do all the washing, drying, folding, and fluffing for you — and with all the care in the world.
You can even specify what kind of detergent you’d prefer, the water temperature, and how you’d like your clothes to be dried. It’s not the usual laundry service you’d get; it’s much better. After they’ve done your laundry, they deliver it back to your doorstep (or wherever you’d prefer). It’s very convenient and safe.
Another option would be to buy yourself a washer and dryer. Or hand wash your clothes. Handwashing your clothes is time-consuming but it’s pretty simple to do. You do the same thing: separate the whites, the light-colored clothing, and the dark-colored clothing. Fill up a basin, tub, or sink with water and add one teaspoon of detergent. Starting with the whites, you soak the clothing in the water mixed with detergent, wash each piece of clothing — whites to dark-colored clothing — until it’s clean (don’t stretch it), and drain out the used water.
Fill the basin up with clean water again, this time without mixing in any detergent, and just rinse out the soap left on your clothing. Repeat the rinsing process till the soap is all washed off and hang your clothes out to dry. The virus is more likely to hang onto damp clothing. Make sure to dry your clothes completely before folding it and putting it back into your closet.
Washing your clothes regularly and immediately after use is extremely important nowadays. If you leave your house a lot, for work, or whatever reason. Make sure to throw your clothes into the laundry bin and keep it away from your other belongings. Try to get them washed immediately and keep the laundry away, don’t leave it out in the open. This pandemic has become a huge inconvenience for all of us. But when it comes to laundry, at least you have your options. Just remember to always be careful, wear a mask, sanitize often, and social distance.
