LAUNDERETTE LOWDOWN

by RYAN DINWIDDY

As this site’s investigative and some say fearless consumer affairs correspondent, this post I turn my attention to the plethora of launderettes on offer in the Willesden area.

Are they places like Dotʼs in ʼstenders, where life’s in the raw and so are the smalls and everyone can afford endless service washes? I visited a cross sectional trio to find out and gave them Dot ratings for the quality or otherwise of the experience.

SUDS

The imaginatively named Suds is situated on the Willesden High Road. It’s a ʻnice and brightʼ place with some art on the walls from Ikea. There are shed loads of laundry baskets and even some quite recent magazines to read. It has an ironing service with a happy hour from six till seven; they also have five medium and seven large washers with eight tumblers!

Opening hours 8am; last wash 7pm, 8pm close.

Verdict: It has a good vibe, has Suds. I like it, I like it a lot!

Dot rating *****

 

THE BLUE INK

The Blue Ink is also on the High Road, but this is a very dark and dismal place where the walls have been painted nicotine brown. It has the same amount of washers and driers as Suds and, though just across the road, itʼs miles apart in the life affirming launderette experience.

Opening hours 8am – 8pm.

Verdict: The sort of place where you risk having all your clothes nicked should you pop down the pub while theyʼre drying.

Dot rating *

 

Q+A

The Q+A launderette is on Dudden Hill Lane, a tiny almost claustrophobic facility which is surprisingly high tech. This has easily the most modern machines, even the doors on the driers pop open automatically when theyʼre finished. But itʼs also the most expensive of the three; £3.50 for a large wash and £2.70 for a medium.

Opens 8am; doors automatically close at 9pm, so donʼt nod off.

Verdict: Good for giving your smalls a treat.

Dot rating ***