A broken-down washing machine is generally regarded as definitely a Bad Thing. There is the expense and hassle of repairing or replacing the machine, the prospect of a flooded kitchen, and the sudden realisation that your underwear stock is … less abundant than you hoped.  

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But when our washing machine expired recently, I was secretly thrilled because it gave me an excuse to go to one of the few places on the planet that always makes me happy: the launderette. 

I feel soothed from the moment I walk into one of these womb-like environments. I love the warmth, the smell of detergent and the air of cleanliness. As I load my washing into the huge drums and push my coins into the slot, I enter the quietly industrious project of the launderette, where you can conquer an Everest of laundry in under an hour and wash items like duvets, pillows and blankets that would convulse a domestic appliance into cardiac arrest.  

The machine door locks with a click, and I tune into the meditative mantra of the drums’ hum. I could watch them spin........

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