Question from Bonnie
I need to go to a laundromat to wash the mattress covers, large comforters etc in my home. I have a small space older washer and dryer so can not do it. Any advice on how to do that? I use all unscented stuff but am worried about the machines there.
Lisa’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
I’m not chemical sensitive– I’m more concerned about long-term health issues from toxics.
Having said that… a customer with asthma and fragrance sensitivity hauled me along with her to the laundromat.
She had me wash and dry multiple loads of my own first. Then used same machines for her own loads immediately after.
She said my load helped remove some chemical residues from the machines. At least a bit.
After washing and drying her own, she rolled her clothes outside to the sidewalk, and folded them there.
Not an answer, but possibly a help:
Go on a slow day. Smell all the washers and dryers for the lowest scent. If there aren’t any low scent, try a different laundry mat. Run your selected washer on hot with a quart of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Meanwhile, spray your selected dryer with straight vinegar, let sit, wipe. Do again. Or dry on high heat – a hand towel that you don’t want, drenched with vinegar. (You might want to tape paper signs saying, “Do not use.”)
When home, I would spread out the bedding on a line in the sun and spray with straight vinegar.
I’ve the same problem. And I’m about ready to have a seamstress lob off part of the comforter so it will fit in my home washer.
You should be concerned. I’m sorry to tell you that unfortunately if you use those machines, your bedding will pick up fabric softeners and dryer sheet smell. It will never come out. Those public laundry mats have overpowering toxic scented products. My brother (who uses fragrance free laundry products) used a hotel’s machines and came to visit me. I had to give him clothes to wear here because I was getting sick from horrible toxic smell that his clothes had picked up. It even transferred to his skin! Re: bedding. I ditched all those heavy comforters years ago. I live in Florida so there’s no real need for them. I buy several light/medium weight organic cotton bedspreads from West Elm when they are on sale. Washing these are a breeze and the bed looks nice. I just have to get my second and third set of blankets out on cool nights here. I know this is not the answer for everyone who is used to having large comforters, but it beats having to deal with the issue of finding a safe place to launder them. And it’s what I have to do to be safe here in our home.