Don't Leave Clothes in the Washer/Dryer It's most of the time acceptable for people to leave their clothes washing/drying while they leave the laundromat for a short period of time. Please choose your outing carefully. Set a timer to ensure no time is wasted or you don't forget altogether.

For this reason, it's poor laundromat etiquette. Your clothes may not be cleaned correctly: If you leave your clothes and there's a wait for machines, it's more likely that you might find your clothes removed from the wash or drying machines for you.

Generally, if left in a washer the attendant will dry them, to keep them from smelling, you can then retrieve your cloths by paying the drying cost and a small fee for finishing your laundry. Once dry, or if already dry in the dryer, they will be set aside for a few days to see if the owner returns.

Initially, self-serve laundry facilities were referred to as washaterias, and the first one was opened in 1934 in Fort Worth, Texas. In the first few years of operation, self-service laundry facilities were not that popular. However, there was a notable resurgence during the 1960s.