For the working Nairobian, doing laundry just doesn’t fit into their busy schedule; it takes too long, the work is backbreaking, and it ruins their manicures. As such, laundromats in Nairobi allow one to casually do their laundry without the effort and at a decent price point are a godsend. Recently, these establishments have grown in popularity and number, providing a useful service to the masses.
Let’s start with an important distinction:
What’s the difference between dry cleaners and a laundromats?
Although dry-cleaners and laundromats in Nairobi both achieve the goal of cleaning garments, they have a few differences which are:
- Garments are rinsed with a chemical solvent in the dry cleaning process. The cleaning procedure does not include the use of water. Laundromats employ the conventional form of wet cleaning, which entails immersing your clothes in water.
- The chemical perchloroethylene is used in the dry cleaning process to remove stains and grease from clothing. Soaps, detergents, and softeners, as well as water, are used in laundry washing.
- Dry cleaned clothes are loaded into a machine and tumbled washed. In most cases, the solvents used in the process are discarded and recycled. During the agitation phase of laundry washing, the clothes are tumbled in a vacuum, and the detergent acts with water to dissolve the dirt particles.
- Dry cleaning machines are used to dry the garments after they have been cleaned. The spinning method is used to extract water from garments during laundry washing. The clothes are then either dried in a dryer or hung to dry.
- To straighten dry cleaned clothes, they are steamed or ironed. Laundered clothes are steamed or pressed in the laundry room.
So what can you expect from laundromats in Nairobi?
1. Cleaning methods: The garments are wet cleaned, a process that uses water, detergent, and softener.
2. What to wash: most garments ranging from everyday clothing to larger items like duvets, sleeping bags, car mats, pet beds, and other items that don’t fit in a normal washing machine.
3. Extras: Some laundromats offer their clients coffee while others have free wifi to keep you entertained while the clothes get clean. The amenities depend on your choice of the laundromat.
Which is better: laundromats or drycleaners?
- Laundromats are environmentally friendly because they don’t use any harmful or toxic chemicals. People with sensitive skin may have adverse reactions to the chemicals used in the drycleaning process.
- Laundromats are less expensive than having your clothes dry cleaned.
- Some fabrics cannot be washed by water due to their delicate nature. Drycleaning effectively cleans sensitive fabrics without any damage.
- Laundry cleaning can save as much as 50% of the energy used in dry cleaning.
Top Laundromats in Nairobi
MiMi Fua Laundromat
At Mimifua, you can drop off your dirty laundry whenever it is convenient for you and pick it up after 2 hours or request that they pick up your laundry from home and return it to you after it has been cleaned. Customers can use their wash-only services for lighter loads or opt for their wash, dry, and iron services. They have branches in Rongai, Ruaka and at Signature Mall in Mlolongo.
Baba Fua Laundromat
Located in Kikuyu, Baba Fua laundromat does all sorts of laundry and ironing from everyday garments to bulk laundry. All this is completed in 30 minutes by their state-of-the-art equipment, saving you a lot of time.
Wash and Fold Laundromat
They specialize in dealing with bulky garments such as bedding, duvet covers, curtains, towels, and clothes charging Kshs 750/ for every 8 kgs. Located in Buruburu opposite the Buruburu Institute of fine arts. They also do deliveries for their clients.
Wash and Go Laundromat
Located in Donholm, Wash and Go Laundromat specializes in the cleaning of textile and fur products. They operate from 7 am and 8 pm on weekdays and from 8 am to 8 pm on weekends.
Mambo Safi Laundry
When using this laundry service, you only need to bag up your dirty clothes and make a phone call. They pick up the laundry within 30 minutes and clean the clothes as per your directives. Your clothes are then folded and delivered within 2 hours. Contact them for these services if you are within or around Athi river.
Jay-Executive Laundry Bar
Located in Ruaka, along Limuru road this laundromat uses eco-friendly detergents and occupies a green serene space. It is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day with cleaning and delivery done by professionals. As their customer, you can enjoy free pickups and delivery.
Laundromats give one the convenience of getting clean laundry without the backbreaking work. Furthermore, the time saved can be put to use doing other things that actually interest you. Consider the laundromats mentioned above if you need cleaning services and witness the relief that their services bring.
