Cultural Launderette

A launderette for the homeless where they can wash and dry their clothes for free

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About the Cultural Launderette

Why we do it

One of the main things people tend to hold against the homeless is that they smell bad and their clothes are dirty. But people rarely stop to think that the homeless simply have nowhere to wash their clothes. Not every launderette will let a homeless person in and, besides, one needs to pay for it. But homeless people may not have enough money because they cannot find a job while they look this way. It becomes a vicious circle. Furthermore, the smell draws negative attention to them and as a result they may end up suffering not just psychologically but also physically. Helping people clean themselves is one of the first steps to help them get off the street. 

How it works

The Cultural Launderette is a joint project run by Nochlezhka and Prachka.Com, a chain of self-service launderettes. We launched it on 22 November 2016, and this is the first free launderette for the homeless in Russia.

It is equipped with 8 washing machines and 8 tumble driers with a capacity of 5 kg each as well as one washing machine for bulky objects for up to 9 kg.

Thanks

The rent, maintenance and equipment for the launderette, its installation, as well as utilities and detergents are covered by the Prachka.Com, a chain of launderettes. 

Washing powder is provided free of charge by P&G, and two out of nine professional washing machines were provided free of charge by Electrolux.

The launderette was painted and decorated for free by Yekaterina Khozatskaya. Thanks to her work, visitors can relax and feel comfortable. 

Operation costs of the Cultural Launderette

To wash and dry clothes for one person

119 rubles

One day

2 772 rubles

One month

57 048 rubles

One year

684 581 rubles


Project statistics in 2022

Come to the Cultural Launderette

30-50 people

In 2022 project assistance received

918 people

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