Afraid of the laundromat « Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums

Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Reader questions (do not fit into other categories)

Afraid of the laundromat

(4 posts)

Tags:

laundromat

rebugcca

newbite
Joined: May '08
Posts: 23
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Sat Dec 13 2008 18:04:10
#

Login to Send PM

I've been in what I like to call "remission" for several months--no signs, although we're still ziplocking/vacuuming/laundering all the time. We were sprayed 5 times by a pro throughout our treatment of a mild infestation.

I went to the laundromat to do my regular weekly load. Inside was a family who appeared to be washing EVERYTHING they owned. Undies to socks to shirts to dresses to coats to towels to bedding. They had stuff in plastic bags galore.

They were also putting said stuff in the metal carts. It appeared before they washed said stuff.

I started to get super anxious. It's been a long and expensive road. I am well aware that a friend or coworker or my BF could lead to a reinfestation in the future, or another problem in our building could start up again, or my roommate or I could pick them up in the subway or bus. . . . But somehow, seeing people in my laundromat who obviously has them scared the crap out of me.

Does anyone know about laundromats in NYC and have any idea how "safe" they are to use? I realize that dryering sufficiently will kill anything, but I'm worried about transmission from dryers to home, etc. I know we need laundromats to fight our battles, but is there a risk of picking something up from the laundromat? Yikes.
bugged.out.in.bklyn

newbite
Joined: Dec '08
Posts: 8
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Sat Dec 13 2008 18:46:10
#

Login to Send PM

i feel like we could have been in the same laundromat. i'm currently cleaning everything i own after a 5 or so month remission that ended badly. i'd say the key to laundries is to not drop off and to stay on top of your stuff. don't let others unload it for you. don't let it touch other people's laundry. otherwise, and i have no reason to say this other than my sanity, we're gonna be just fine.
surrounded

junior member
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 79
offline

Posted 4 years ago
Sat Dec 13 2008 19:38:46
#

Login to Send PM

i feel like we have the same laundromat too. i feel the same way. i try to put everything from the dryer directly into my big ziplocs, or my laundry bag that has gone in the dryer too. I am also wary of the counters for folding clothes. my neighborhood is SO infested, and with everyone doing their bedbug laundry in the same place, ick. I dont use the drycleaners in the neighborhood, and i am not sure what drycleaners would even be safe. Be careful.
BB_Hell_NYC

newbite
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 8
offline

Posted 3 years ago
Tue Oct 20 2009 14:16:22
#

Login to Send PM

what laundromats do you go to? i have the same anxiety over this! i live in astoria and every day i walk to the subway i see tons of furniture on the street and beds laying there with the telltale black stains on them uncovered. its so frustrating to witness this every morning when i am trying to cope with my paranoia. doing laundry in the local laundromat is such a difficult process. i look like a crazy person looking under tables and inspecting the metal carts closely!