Is it safe to go into laundromats?

[no_hypocrisy]

Both as far as being exposed to the virus in the air and in the tubs of the washers and driers?

Would laundromats be no more of a danger than going into a supermarket?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Upon reconsideration of the original post,

I think I can self-quarantine another 2 to 4 weeks, wash my socks in the sink and wait to see if things change.

[rzemanfl]

2. Given that supermarkets are

terribly dangerous I have no answer to your question.

[hlthe2b]

3. Not a crowded one...

Bring a bottle of disinfectant with you to use on all surfaces. If there is an attendant ask if the door can be left open for ventilation. If you can't distance from others, go at another time or go home and hand wash in the bathtub. You can rinse in a vinegar/water mixture to help remove any extra suds and to provide a bit of disinfection, although a thorough scrub with soap should be sufficient.

If you do decide to go, I'm not worried about the washers. The detergent will do its thing. But disinfect the areas you need to touch on the washer and dryer before putting items inside and if you use any folding cart or surface, disinfect the heck out of it. Sanitize your hands frequently or disinfect gloves you might choose to wear and especially when you leave. Don't eat or drink inside the laundromat.

[Nonhlanhla]

4. I would invest in a mini washer

Last edited Fri Mar 27, 2020, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)

When I was pregnant with my daughter, we lived in an apartment complex with laundry facilities in the basement, but you had to walk down steep stairs outside to get there, and I was afraid of slipping and falling. So I invested in a mini washer that I used in the bathtub (it looked like a bucket, but it was electric, and was called the Wonder Washer), as well as a mini spinner. It could only handle one day's clothing at a time, but it worked fine. I also bought a drying rack to hang the clothes. If I was living in an apartment now, I would probably get something like that - I think now you can get a tiny twin tub that would fit into a bathtub that does both washing and spinning (the spinning dries the laundry a bit so that you don't have to hang it up while still dripping wet).

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Giantex-Portable-Washing-Machine-Apartments/dp/B06XKDYD4S/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S69CRTSHA7WHGQ0XTJG3

Or this if you have the space: https://www.amazon.com/Giantex-Portable-Compact-Full-Automatic-Capacity/dp/B07HKXVQYC/ref=pd_rhf_sc_p_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VZBXJP8JC4GM75490FBY

[duforsure]

5. No they aren't

Unless you are very well protected you have no way to know if it contaminated there.No way to know if the last 20-50 people in it were infected .

[Nay]

6. I would not go to laundromats, simply because of all the slick surfaces -- the folding tables,

handles/lids/knobs on washers and dryers, etc. There's no way to sanitize the whole place yourself.

I would pick out two outfits, preferably ones that wash easily and dry fast, and alternate them. Wear one, wash the other and hang to dry. I'm assuming you are quarantining at home.

[manhattan123]

7. The NYT has a story about this very topic...

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/style/how-to-do-laundry-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Thanks!