A laundromat is a shop with commercial washing machines and dryers where you can get your laundry washed and dried. Some laundromats let you use the machines yourself. Others take your clothes at the counter and wash, dry and fold them for you. Many offer both.
Laundromats have been common in Europe and the United States for decades. In Nairobi they are now popping up near apartment blocks and in busy suburbs, because more people live in flats with little space to wash and dry clothes.
Where does the word “laundromat” come from?
“Laundromat” started as a brand name for coin-operated washing machines in the United States in the 1940s. The name stuck, and today it means any self-service or attended laundry shop. In the UK the same kind of shop is called a launderette.
How does a laundromat work?
There are two main ways to use one.
Self-service
You bring your clothes, choose a washing machine, add detergent, pay and start the cycle. When the wash ends, you move your clothes to a dryer. You fold them yourself and take them home. You pay per wash and per dry.
Drop-off (also called service wash or wash and fold)
You hand your bag to the attendant. They weigh it, wash it, dry it and fold it for you. You collect it later, or the laundromat delivers it to your door. You usually pay per kilo.
Many Nairobi laundromats focus on drop-off with pickup and delivery, because it saves customers the most time. To learn about our drop-off service, see wash, dry and fold.
What you find inside a laundromat
- Commercial washers: bigger and stronger than home machines, so they handle duvets and heavy blankets.
- Commercial dryers: they dry a full load in under an hour, rain or shine.
- Folding tables: for sorting and folding clean clothes.
- A counter or attendant: for drop-off orders, payments and questions.
Laundromat vs laundry service vs dry cleaner
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Laundromat | Machines you can use yourself, often with a drop-off option | Everyday clothes, bedding, big loads |
| Laundry service | Washes, dries and folds for you, often with pickup | Busy people who want it done for them |
| Dry cleaner | Cleans with solvents instead of water | Suits, silk, wool and “dry clean only” items |
Many businesses, including ours, combine all three. Read more in What Is Dry Cleaning?
Why laundromats are growing in Nairobi
- Smaller homes: many apartments in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Westlands have small balconies and no space for a washing machine or drying line.
- The rainy season: clothes can take days to dry indoors. A commercial dryer does it in under an hour.
- Big items: duvets, curtains and blankets do not fit in home machines.
- Time: people working long hours would rather pay than spend a Saturday washing.
- Short-stay rentals: Airbnb hosts need fresh sheets and towels between guests.
How much does a laundromat cost in Kenya?
Self-service laundromats usually charge per wash and per dry. Drop-off laundromats usually charge per kilo, with a minimum charge. At DropCleanGo, washing starts at KSh 1,200 for up to 5 kg, and the price per kilo falls for bigger loads. Our price list has the full details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a laundromat and a laundry?
A laundromat has machines and often lets you wash your own clothes. “Laundry” or “laundry service” usually means someone washes them for you. In everyday speech in Kenya, people use the words for the same kind of shop.
Is a laundromat the same as a launderette?
Yes. “Laundromat” is the American word and “launderette” is the British word.
Can I wash a duvet at a laundromat?
Yes. Commercial machines are big enough for most duvets. See our duvet cleaning service, or our guide How to Clean a Duvet.
Is there a laundromat near me in Lavington?
Yes. DropCleanGo is at Leo Residences on Hatheru Road, Lavington, with free pickup in Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Hurlingham and State House.
Visit our laundromat in Lavington
We are open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 7pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 4pm. Book a pickup or WhatsApp us on 0116 090 010.
Photo: Oli Woodman on Unsplash.
