Have you ever wandered through an unfamiliar town and been struck by the enticing scent of a dryer vent?
In a similar vein, there’s something inviting about the smells, sights, and sounds of the homey laundromat.
Most of us only frequent such places in emergencies or when traveling. We might also have memories of leaner days before we could afford laundry machines.
Becky and I lived in a bungalow that backed up to The Wash Tubs in Lewisburg, PA near the Bucknell campus. I spent more than a few meditative hours in there, toe-to-toe with a mash-up of undergrads and townies of the underclass.
We inherited my grandmother’s machines and never looked back.
Here, Let ME Do That
While on The Row House Roadshow ‘21-’22, I’ve relished the opportunity to get back into a laundromat, and Becky was happy to indulge my strange fascination.
In Loveland, Colorado, I dropped her off at The Best Western and made for town. The Landry Basket, advertised as “clean, fresh, and friendly,” did not disappoint.
As I superintended our wares, a middle-aged guy sat on a plastic chair, a cute dachshund snuggled on his lap.
He told me the dog belonged to his deceased mother from Florida. His brother sat in the TV area lounging.
Who are these guys? Are they living together…again? Why don’t they own a washer? Are they OK?
A few days later, between St. Paul and Milwaukee, we stopped in a town of 9,000 people, Tomah1, so that Becky could catch some internet at a very cute, country-chic bakery.
You Know Where I Went
At the Wisconsin Laundry I saw a lonesome-looking fellow, busy on his phone that rested on his corpulent stomach.
What’s his lot in life?
I didn’t talk with him, so I’ll never know, but for a brief hour we were brothers-in-arms, of dirty clothes.
I caught the eye of another fellow in a baseball cap who had the look of a teacher. Sure enough, he had been a high school instructor but now worked at a family-owned business called DnA Vintners.
He touted the glories of their cranberry wine and urged me to order it early for Christmas because of the demand.
So, what’s my deal with these wash houses?
Homey Away From Home
For one, they are what sociologists and culture watchers call third places.
Like Starbucks, laundromats are where you can get refreshed, just hang out, or do some business (the intimate kind).
The difference is the laundromat's clientele leans toward the under-employed, the loner, and the traveler.
On the spectrum of social diversity they’re somewhere between an upscale cafe and the DMV.
If you want to people-watch, hear some gripping stories, or just hone some sympathy for humanity, a trip to the laundromat might do the trick.
I don’t mean to sound overly-righteous, but the laundromats have put me closer to folks whose needs are different from mine, nudging me toward some compassion.
Surprisingly, they have even blessed me with a meditative respite on our road trips.
Can’t Get More Local Yokel
Also, laundromats offer a window into the values of specific localities.
Perhaps the ‘mat is not the best place to find the well-endowed culture shapers.
On the other hand, affection for a place is less tied to economic prosperity and is more a result of familial connections and the every day affections we all have for sports teams, natural features, and the indescribable “town spirit.”
Local folk cultivate cranberries, run schools, and go to church because they believe their place makes a contribution to the world.
Landing in one of America’s many storied small towns, I usually find that locals love their places.
All I have to do is crack open a fresh bottle of friendly conversation near the ever-watchful vending machine, and the pride flows.
Take Me To Your Dryer
It’s kind of how I'm proud to show Lancaster’s West End to visitors. When I do, I feel a pull toward Charles Laundry on Mary Street, especially in the evening.
The spot is always immaculate, well-lit, and gives off the aroma of home.
As we walk by, I point out the festive murals along the ceiling, hand-painted by my neighbor Karen.
Don’t Take Too Much Clothing
I’m planning out our next road trip for late February and already catching a whiff of some local culture on the horizon from PA to the hill country of Texas.
To keep up with us as we make our way to Laity Lodge and back through Nashville, take a look at our itinerary.
If you know of a super cool (or super warm) laundromat I ought to visit, don’t hesitate to share it!