llaundromats rated as highly germy locations

[MrNoodly]

i also try and work towards supporting a healthy and robust immune system to fight off these pesky critters i dont manage to avoid. 

Right, and we build antibodies by being exposed to germs. Big historical example: European explorers/settlers carried diseases Old World people had become immune to. The indigenous New World people had never been exposed to those diseases so they caught them and many populations were wiped out.

Our obsession with germ killing only wipes out the weaker strains, leaving disinfectant-resistant strains behind. We create super-germs and less-prepared immune systems.

[Wabbit]

At first I was like, ok I'll stop licking the washing machines. But then MrNoodly made a good point about building up immune system. So now I'm torn. Do I stop licking the washing machine because of the strange looks? Or keep licking them to build up immunity? I think a good rational compromise is to just lick every other washing machine.

P.S- Don't lick the drying machines. That's disgusting.

[SheepDog]

I figured I’d mention that the only real issue I’ve run into is some idiot washing a fuel soaked load of something right before I got there. It just about ruining my clothes since I hadn’t learned to smell the washer before I dumped my clothes it yet!

SD

[maki2]

I am not so concerned about immunity to germs, I would be unlikely to get ill from going to a laudramat unless the persons who were there had active cases of flu, colds and such and were spreading germs around by touching surfaces or by coughing and such.

I am more concerned about keeping the fabrics smelling fresher for a longer length of time as it is going to be inconvenient to just pop things into the washing machine several times a week.

The vinegar and borax is a great help with that as I don't want to use perfumed detergents or dryer sheets.

(This post was last modified: 07-06-2019, 12:08 AM by maki2.)

[Gypsy Freedom]

i gave up on trying to smell pretty. turned out boonedocking with a group of van dwellers that made me the weird one...


lol, incase someone is way to serious...

(This post was last modified: 07-06-2019, 01:02 PM by Gypsy Freedom.)

[travelaround]

I appreciate the thought... especially as I just got done doing my laundry in one of the worst laundromats ever. Sad to say, it is in my hometown of Happy Camp, California where a family bought the tire shop and laundromat about seven years ago, then apparently resented having to take care of the laundromat.

Fourteen years ago I rented the little room in the corner of the laundromat for my webdesign and news business... I shared the space with the Chamber of Commerce. Now that room is messy, the desk is gone, there are greasy car parts on the floor.

The laundromat that used to be well-maintained with all machines working is in a sad state of disrepair. The showers there are now closed - they won't let anyone use the showers or bathroom. The washers - more than half of them are broken and taped shut. The other 4 are despicably dirty. The dryers... also half are not working any longer.

I manage the town's online facebook group and occasionally see a member of this family griping about the public's misuse of the laundromat. But apparently they've used the money for other things and won't put any back in to even clean the place! In a small (tiny) mountain town like Happy Camp, a laundromat is an essential public service.

I'm so sad to see this. I'm only happy there's a for sale sign in front of the property. Maybe someone will come who is willing to fix the place and make it work again. I knew the two previous owners and I know George (sweetest guy ever) would be rolling in his grave to see the mess they've made of the place. George used to come into my office to show me pictures of his late wife, telling about how much he loved her. He brought me a heater when it got cold. Very thoughtful guy who built a great laundromat to help out the people of this community.

Anyhow, thanks to this post I invested in a fresh bottle of white vinegar. Makes me feel cleaner already.

[Gypsy Freedom]

unfortunately these days tiny mountain town laundromats need to be money makers before most folks will invest in and keep them up. sad to see so many going away

[MrNoodly]

...I am more concerned about keeping the fabrics smelling fresher for a longer length of time...

Since I tend to travel and camp in areas with very low humidity, that's not a problem for me. Neither are other moisture-related problems.

[Dingfelder]

Two things:

1. Portable UV wand. Sterilizes all surfaces within, say, 10 or 15 minutes. So flexible how you use it.

2. Hydrogen peroxide. Spray or wipe. Kills everything, residual is oxygen and hydrogen, harmless. 3% is enough concentration; dilute as needed.

3. Countertops, folding surfaces of any kind: Maybe it is not even washers or dryers that are the problem. Clean any countertops you fold your laundry on too. I bet you might get someone asking for a cleaning cloth or to use your spray bottle.

On another note, watch your stuff like a hawk. I have found people throwing in pissy diapers into my wash, making the whole thing smell like urine, and take off. Once when the kiddy shirts, pants, diapers and etc. were still in the machine and they were too lazy to take them out before they got caught. Those got tossed randomly around the neighborhood in a fury. Needless to say the piss smell took another washing -- somewhere ELSE -- to get out. I didn't want to bleach my dress shirts.

Anyway, watch your clothes like a hawk in a laundromat. Don't go away and come back later. SIT THERE. Or you could be ****ed.

[MrNoodly]

I have to wonder how the average living space would rank for germiness.