Lau’s Laundromat

I only come here because it’s the only laundromat in the neighborhood. It’s very small and not properly maintained. Machines are often out of order. You can’t put more than 5 things in a washer because they won’t be washed properly! Even the «bigger» more expensive machines won’t wash properly. It seems as if they’re not using enough water. I’ve started looking for a new laundromat.

First time back since the remodel. They’re still have the best prices but at the cost of their washing machines, at least the top loaders, really don’t do much except slosh around. I know this because my jeans still had dirt stains on them, the same kind of stains that are removed from any other washer.

It’s a laundromat. Large clean folding tables, plenty of machines of different types and sizes. Reasonable price. Never crowded. Others’ criticisms of dryer temperature seem unfounded. The décor is dated but, again, it’s a laundromat. Would be nice if there was more seating, however.

It is not the cleanest or the best laundromat, but it does its job! I think it is decent enough to use. Price is also not different from other laundromat. $ 1.75 per wash and $ 25 per 4 minute of dryer. Pretty standard.

The large commercial washers are the only real value here. The dryers are so wrong that the medium/​perm press setting is much hotter than most dryers’ hot setting ruining an expensive comforter in less than 15 minutes.
So be warned to not dry anything but cotton items and for less than 20 minutes or they will most likely be ruined.
Also, good luck getting parking here.

Machines are frequently broken and take your quarters. I’ve gone to this place for nearly 2 years now and seriously every time I go I tell myself I can do better, even though it is the most convenient place to my house. I had my last straw the other week when I spent over an extra hour there when I had to rewash clothes that came out bone dry in the middle due to a washer water leak, and then redry clothes that I put in a broken dryer that wasn’t labeled out of service. Not cool. This place is always dirty as well and sometimes your clothes just don’t come out clean.

For anyone who’s used this facility, have you noticed the difference in quality between the $ 2 machines versus the $ 1.50 ones? The $ 2 machines are supposed to be energy efficient and use less water. Problem is, it saves so much water that it seems to use none at all. I put soap in the machine hoping to see a formation of suds and bubbles and… nothing. Hello? Where are you? Where are you, soapy bubbly funness? No one seems to be home…15 minutes later… wash is done! Uhm… hello? WHY THE FUCK ARE MY CLOTHES STILL DIRTY!!! ***deep breath*** Aahhh… I’m okay. I’m okay.
I’ve stopped using these $ 2 machines because my theory is that they don’t wash shit.
The facility is very busy most of the time and finding available driers can be a pain in the anal region. The change machine doesn’t seem to give change some of the time and it’s a pain to have to ask people around you…“Do you have quarters?” All I gotta say to that is, «Lamesauce».
I give it 2 stars because it’s the only laundromat on Monterey Boulevard and I’m not about to venture out any further than I have to just to wash my clothes. It would be nice if there was someone there more often than just 15 — 20 minutes of the day to solve problems like quarter recovery from crap ass machines. Oh well…

Okay, so no one really *enjoys* doing laundry, I’m pretty sure. But why must coin-​op laundromats make the experience even MORE miserable?!
Lau’s Laundermat isn’t hugely worse than other coin-​op laundry places I’ve suffered with, but that’s not saying much. How much did I loathe my time here this afternoon? Let me count the ways:
— No bathroom. Admittedly, this is pretty much par for the course with these places.
— No sink. This is particularly unfortunate when a washer malfunctions and leaves you with sopping wet soapy clothes… like what I dealt with today.
— Uncomfortable picnic-​style plastic chairs that look like they were left out in a wind-​swept desert. With extra dirt dumped on top for good measure.
— A change machine that doesn’t give change.
— Stern signs that make you feel like a criminal (NO LOITERING… We have the right to refuse service to anyone! etc.)
— Nearly impossible parking in the area.
I was tempted to give this place one star, except in the middle of my laundering today, a contractor that works with this place came by, started cleaning (including the awful chairs), and — without prompting — gave me my $ 2 back after I noted that one of the washers was broken.
Still… when will someone invent a laundromat in SF that is clean, inviting, and comfortable. Maybe even with couches? Wifi? An attached ice-​cream place? Anything at all to make the experience less icky? Please!!!