Launderettes have been the settings of some of the most iconic scenes throughout TV and film history. Here are just 5 of our favourite iconic launderette media moments. 

• 1994, Friends
• 1998, Fight Club 
• 2013, Anchorman 2
• 1985-2016, Eastenders
• 2017, Babydriver

1994, Friends 

Who can forget those early episodes of Friends? Ross was so desperate to spend time with Rachel he would do anything. Including spending the evening at a launderette. In “The One with the East German Laundry Detergent”, Rachel is in the midst of learning how to live on her own, away from her parents’ money. This includes being able to do her own laundry. When Ross accompanies her to the launderette, he teaches Rachel to stand up for herself against a woman trying to steal her washing machine. This earns Ross a completely platonic kiss and Rachel a new life skill- doing her own laundry. It was the beginning of their beautiful, and complicated, relationship.

1998, Fight Club 

The first rule of fight club is to not talk about fight club… but let’s talk about this iconic laundry scene anyway. Whilst Marla Singer, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is talking to the elusive Narrator, we see her head into a launderette. She goes to the washing machines, takes the clothes out, and then leaves. The Narrator follows her out, commenting on how she left half of her clothes in the shop. It’s then that we see her selling the stolen clothing to a thrift store. Next time you’re in a launderette, best keep an eye on your machine. 

2013, Anchorman 2

Continuing on from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, everyone was ecstatic to see their favourite news team reassemble for Anchorman 2. In one scene from the squeal, we see the lovable idiot Brick Tamland take a perspective girlfriend on a first date… to a vending machine… in a launderette. Their whole date takes place in the launderette, where they drink cans of Dr Pepper from the vending machine. It may seem like an odd place for a date, but it worked for Brick as SPOILER ALERT- the two get married at the end of the film.

1985-Present Day, Eastenders 

The Launderette in Eastenders is ICONIC. It was Albert Square veteran Dot Branning’s workplace until 2016 and has been the home to some of Walford’s biggest bust-ups. From Ashley Cotton driving straight into the window in 2001 to countless fights and airing of dirty laundry. One of the most touching scenes was in 2016 when, after 55 years of working there, Dot Cotton resigned and left the Launderette for good. 

2017- Babydriver 

When getaway driver Baby meets Debora he wants to protect her from his life of crime. However, after settling the last of the money he owes mastermind Doc, he is free to live his life crime-free. He goes to the launderette with Debora and listens to music whilst waiting for their clothes. This mundane task signifies the beginning of their ordinary life together, away from Baby’s past life of crime. 

If these top 5 launderette moments from film and TV are anything to go by it seems that there a lot of emotions expressed in launderettes. Best to just use the Laundryheap app to book your 24-hour, contactless, laundry delivery slot.