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Steps local laundromats are taking to keep people safe

BOSTON — If you live in a big city, you know that not everyone has the luxury of in-unit laundry. Around Boston, those who don’t have washers and dryers in their unit or building often rely on laundromats to keep clothes clean.

So how do you manage that when you’re under quarantine?

At many local laundromats, customers are still coming and going, leaving a lot of potential for exposure to COVID-19.

“We don’t know how many hands are going through or what cleaning policy is here,” said Max Boddy, a laundromat customer. “It would be great to not have to do this but if you don’t have a machine in your apartment you do what you got to do.”

For Boddy, its a risk he has to take for his and his girlfriend’s hygiene.


“My girlfriend works in health care [so] it’s extra important for her getting her work clothes clean,” said Boddy.

Given what evidence has shown so far, that the virus can live for days on soft and hard surfaces, laundromat owners are being advised to routinely disinfect machine lids and door handles, in order to reduce the risk to customers.

Boston 25 News visited a couple of laundromats across the city on Monday, but did not find any staff working on site.

The CDC is recommending that customers use disposable gloves and disinfect laundry baskets before and after use. They’re also urging people not to shake dirty laundry to avoid the chance of virus particles becoming airborne.

“There are all these daily chores it’s hard to find the time do it all right," said Boddy.

The Coin Laundry Association, a national trade group fighting to keep laundromats on the essential business list in all 50 states, says laundromat owners across the country are not only increasing the frequency of cleaning but also evolving to encourage social distancing.

“We’re following Starbucks’ lead of removing the table and chair and moving the folding tables out of the way to further encourage people to spend the minimal amount of time, minimal amount of crowding and get on with their way," said Brian Wallace, President & CEO of the Coin Laundry Association.

Many laundromats are now asking customers to wait outside while their loads are in the washer or dryer and some also requesting that people avoid bringing young children inside due to the increased risk of kids touching something and then putting their hands in their mouths.