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I don't know about where you live, but in the UK we have launderettes that do service washes. You dump your clothes in bags, and dump those bags at the laundere

by DanBC 8y ago

I don't know about where you live, but in the UK we have launderettes that do service washes. You dump your clothes in bags, and dump those bags at the launderette and pay for them to wash and dry and fold your clothing. You can pay extra for ironing. You can provide your own detergents and softeners[1] or they can use theirs. You have to be careful because some of them are a bit clumsy and will boil the clothing, or melt it in a too hot dryer. [1] don't use fabric softeners.

AstralStorm 8y ago
Contrary to the name, softeners do not soften the fabric but water and add more ionic detergent plus some smell. You get a bit more efficient washing as long as you reduce amount of washing medium. Oh, and they do impart negative charge to the fabrics making them seem fluffier. Some softeners do have protective oil or silicone or polysorbate that will coat the fabric protecting it more. (Similar mechanism to hair rinse.) This actually will protect the fabric from some wear. These chemicals cannot really be added to washing detergent as it would counter its action. Certain silly people say the thin coat will interfere with future washing. I recommend testing instead of silly assumptions. (The layer is nonstick and waterproof which means your clothes will get less dirty and it is easier to remove anything on them... So you can use less detergent, time, force and water later. C.f. impregnated vs nonimpregnated wool.)
- JohnFen 8y ago
  > Some softeners do have protective oil or silicone or polysorbate that will coat the fabric I thought they all had that. I really dislike fabric softeners in part because I dislike the perfume they use and in part because they tend to render everything some degree of waterproof (bad for towels, particularly).
  - AstralStorm 8y ago
    Not all of them do, cheap ones have the ionic detergent only and impart little benefit.
JohnFen 8y ago
There are such services in my part of the US, too. However, they're too expensive to easily justify.

by DanBC 8y ago

AstralStorm 8y ago

Contrary to the name, softeners do not soften the fabric but water and add more ionic detergent plus some smell. You get a bit more efficient washing as long as you reduce amount of washing medium. Oh, and they do impart negative charge to the fabrics making them seem fluffier. Some softeners do have protective oil or silicone or polysorbate that will coat the fabric protecting it more. (Similar mechanism to hair rinse.) This actually will protect the fabric from some wear. These chemicals cannot really be added to washing detergent as it would counter its action. Certain silly people say the thin coat will interfere with future washing. I recommend testing instead of silly assumptions. (The layer is nonstick and waterproof which means your clothes will get less dirty and it is easier to remove anything on them... So you can use less detergent, time, force and water later. C.f. impregnated vs nonimpregnated wool.)

JohnFen 8y ago
> Some softeners do have protective oil or silicone or polysorbate that will coat the fabric I thought they all had that. I really dislike fabric softeners in part because I dislike the perfume they use and in part because they tend to render everything some degree of waterproof (bad for towels, particularly).
- AstralStorm 8y ago
  Not all of them do, cheap ones have the ionic detergent only and impart little benefit.

JohnFen 8y ago

There are such services in my part of the US, too. However, they're too expensive to easily justify.