Laundry Services Are Essential and Should Remain Open During COVID-19 Outbreak

Laundry services, including laundromats and the businesses that support them, are an “essential service” during the COVID-19 outbreak. These facilities provide a basic public health service by serving millions of families with a safe place to wash and dry their clothes every day. Laundromats are an important part of the solution to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In alignment with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, American families should continue to observe the best levels of cleanliness and hygiene possible, including regular clothes washing, during the pandemic. Research indicates that the virus can live on clothing for up to 3 days. Access to services is particularly important for laundromat customers who are often among lowincome families with few alternatives to the neighborhood laundromat for clothes washing.

Dexter Laundry, the Coin Laundry Association, and the entire laundry industry, is sharing CDC recommendations with its customers regarding enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces and other “high touch” areas within their stores. As well as sharing best practices on social distancing and minimizing customer-to-customer interaction. The industry is committed to providing the cleanest, safest environment possible for its customers. The commercial-grade washers found in laundromats provide rigorous mechanical action, which combined with hot water and proper detergent use, effectively flush contaminants from clothing. Commercial gas-fired dryers deliver proper heating to further protect garments from harm. 

The 30,000 small business owners of laundromats in the United States stand ready to help families keep their clothes clean during the pandemic. Dexter Laundry is ready to work with federal, state and municipal authorities to keep laundromats running during this crucial time.

If available, always follow local guidelines regarding non-essential business classifications.