Spincycle Washateria

DONT GO HERE IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR LAUNDRY. I had a big load that needed to be washed in cold water. Set the machine on cold. When I was taking laundry out of washer I asked why every thing was hot. Attendant told me the cold didn’t work on that
Machine and they were going to get it fixed. Asked why it wasn’t marked and she said she’d mark it. About 15 Minutes later it still wasn’t marked. When I asked for the managers contact info. She said she’d already written down the problem with the machine and she could NOT give me any contact info!!!

When I was a struggling undergraduate, I shared a duplex over in Eastwood with Six Choir Guy. We had a washer but the dryer vent was never properly routed to exhaust the humid air. So, periodically I’d wash the clothes then lug the wet pile to dry at the local scruffy washateria. If you ever want to see a slice of life, head to your local Laundromat — the scruffier, the zestier a slice of life.
Fast forward to today: I have my own washer-​dryer combo and it works like a dream. Except that the heat of the dryer must have a direct link to the molten lava at the Earth’s core because it gets so hot. In turn, this prompts my efficient new AC system to try and cool my place. But, have you ever tried to offset the heat of molten lava? That will run up your electric bill a hefty amount.
Anyway, with last weekend’s excessive heat (even by Texas standards, a high of 107 is too much), I decided that I didn’t want to open the vent to the Earth’s core so I lugged my wet laundry here. The place has heavily tinted windows to reflect the heat away, a finely tuned AC system keeping everyone comfortable, a respectively clean interior, and lots of machines. There’s a big screen TV with the audio at a fine discreet level and no overhead music playing, which suits me just dandy.
The washing machines offer a standard load for $ 1.75 while there are some super-​capacity wash machines, too. The commercial dryers can hold what I can imagine are a family of four’s clothes at one time; as a single man, my things fit in with ample room to float around. Cost is 25 cents per 7 minutes. Change machines can handle your Hamiltons and Jacksons, along with $ 1 and $ 5 bills.
Loading up 49 minutes ($ 1.75) worth, I set it going and left to head to the nearby Target for both some quality AC time and to pick up some drugs (legal, mind you). When I got back, the cycle was done and all of the items were toasty dry. With the residual heat, I’m sure I could have defrosted a rump roast or two if I had brought it. I guess they have the same connection to the Earth’s core that I do. Oh, well. Next time.

Picked my cousins up from here today. This place has really gone down. Approximately half of the business is closed off and empty. Thank god I have a washer and dryer.

Why, of all places, a washateria? Aside from the fact that I wrote the best short story of my college career amid the blaring televisions and spinning machines of this laundromat, this Spincycle is deceptively clean, nice, and functional.
All of the machines worked when I went here during my college years, even the vending machines. Quarters were never a problem, and there was always an open machine. Children, if present, were well-​behaved. It was everything a good laundromat should be, somehow. They also offer wash and fold service if you’re not drawn to the hypnotic spiral of your brightly colored clothing.