Many homeowners have their own washer and dryer. When they need to do laundry, they can do it without having to spend gas and time going to the Laundromat. They also do not have to spend money washing their clothes. Instead, they can stay home. Those who do not have a washer and dryer, on the other hand, must go to a Laundromat to do their laundry. They find a roll of quarters, grab the dirty clothes and soap, get in the car, and drive to the Laundromat. When they get there, they bring in their dirty clothes and soap, find a machine that is not being used, and prepare to do their laundry. First, however, they must check inside the washer. Those who used the machine before they did may have left something behind. It is common to find items in the washers and dryers of Laundromats, college dormitories, and apartment buildings.

One thing a customer might find is money. Money is a welcome surprise and makes many people smile. The amount of money in the bottom of a machine varies, of course, depending on how much the person had. A customer might find a penny, a dollar, $100, or possibly more. Money is ot the only thing that a person might find in a public washer or dryer, of course.

Second, one might find trash. People often put things like gum wrappers or folded pieces of paper in their pockets in the course of a day and forget to remove them when they do laundry. When they wash their clothes, the paper gets shredded into tiny pieces, which then have to be picked out of the clean clothes later. Paper is a nuisance, but it is not dangerous. Needles, on the other hand, are dangerous.

Needles are a third item that customers may find in a public washer or dryer. Everyone needs clean clothes, including drug users. Unfortunately, those who use drugs may leave needles in the pockets of their clothes. The needles may then come out and wind up in the bottom of a machine. Since the needles may be there, it is best to look carefully to see what is in the machine, rather than reaching in blindly. By looking to see what is there, you can be safer and avoid an accidental needle stick.

When you need clean clothes, get your quarters together, grab your dirty laundry and something to keep you busy while your clothes are washing and drying, and head for the Laundromat. You will look, feel, and smell much better in clean clothes, which will help to build your confidence.