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Laundry In Rome/Naples

Hi all. Are there laundramats in Rome/Naples that are "American-friendly"? I know we'll be packing correctly, but there's no way to avoid it (in-room laundry will be all but impossible). Thanks in advance!
Dave

Posted by
345 posts

I believe you asked the same question about Paris. I just posted an answer for you in that section of the helpline. I can't remember that we used self-service laundries in Rome or Naples. We have in several other areas of Italy. The same information as for the French post is applicable.

Posted by
23177 posts

Of course, there are. There are self service laundries everywhere. Have no idea what you mean or imply by "American-friendly." Just ask hotel for directions. They are there to wash clothes and do not really care who wears them. Just give them your clothes, no questions asked. And why is in room laundry impossible? Everyone who packs light does it.

Posted by
32171 posts

Dave, I agree with the Frank - ask your hotel and they should be able to tell you where the nearest self-serve laundry is located. I've found that to be the case in both Paris and Rome (and other cities). I've never used a laundromat in Naples. I have the same question mentioned earlier - I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "American-friendly"? Most laundromats that I've seen in Europe are somewhat more "high tech" than the facilities here. You'll often choose which Washer or Dryer you want to use on a central control panel, which in some cases resembles a flight control panel in the Space Shuttle. In many of the newer ones, soap is added automatically by the machine. It's often necessary to run the Dryer through about three cycles to get the clothes adequately dry, which of course costs more. Your hotel may also offer to send your laundry out to a "service wash" business, which will wash, dry and fold your clothes. In some places, that may be all that's available. If you have the time, it's a reasonable option to consider. Happy travels!

Posted by
11247 posts

In Rome, if you are anywhere near Campo dei Fiori, there is a Lava Secco where you may drop off your clothes in the morning and pick them up in late afternoon. When we first traveled here, we brought in everytning we weren't wearing. They washed, dried and folded for €20. Quite a deal and saved our time for touring.

Posted by
32171 posts

Dave, If you're staying in the Termini area, there's also a laundromat at intersection of Via Vicenza and Via Palestro (more on Via Palestro, beside a Ristorante). As I recall, it's a very busy place and also an Internet Cafe (if my memory is correct). Cheers!

Posted by
11294 posts

" There are self service laundries everywhere." Not true. I never found one in Budapest, Moscow, and Istanbul, to name three. In the 1990's, I found no self service laundries in Italy, except in Sorrento (that's how I knew it catered to tourists). And most of the laundries didn't charge by the kilo, but by the piece, so they were very expensive. Then the laundromat chain Onda Blu ("blue wave") started to open in various Italian cities. I don't know the current situation in Rome or Naples, but look at Rick Steves, Let's Go, or Lonely Planet. If none of these list a self-service laundromat in a particular place, assume there isn't one. As said above, sometimes there is a "service wash" place, where they will do the clothes for you. But allow enough time for this. In Rome (in 1994), they needed over 24 hours, and I was leaving before that, so I ended up doing it in the sink in Naples.

Posted by
9110 posts

'If none of these list a self-service laundromat in a particular place, assume there isn't one' That's like saying that all information in the world is contained in guidebooks. Or if a Donald Duck comic doesn't list Michelin-starred diners, you're stuck with a hash joint. I was doing laundry in Italy way before the nineties and I can picture two spots in Istanbul within a few blocks of my daughter-in-law's hovel.

Posted by
2165 posts

We used a laundromat in the Termini area and it was a trip highlight. there was an attendant who helped with change and we managed to get everything clean. Lots of friendly people.

Posted by
1010 posts

We just do our washing every night that we can. As long as we have two or more nights in a hotel, it works out fine. I buy powdered soap at Macy's, in the lingerie dept. It works perfectly for all our clothes. I just use warm or cold water in the showere or bath tub. We always bring along a rubber drain stoper. It is a very low sudsing soap. The clothes are easy to rinse out. We roll the clothes in our large bath towels and hang them up on sponge hangers. I bought the hangers at Magellan.com. (the travel store). We have been on long five to six week trips, and we haven't had any problem washing our clothes.