Local laundromat offers free laundry to those in need

Megan Becker, Chillicothe Gazette
·2 min read
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An exterior view of the Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.
An exterior view of the Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.

CHILLICOTHE ― After 30 years in the community, Brite and Clean Laundry is continuing to support locals with free laundry for those in need.

The laundromat started hosting Laundry Love Night 7 years ago― a night where locals can come do laundry for free. Today, locals are invited to come every third Thursday for a night of free laundry.

Each adult can do up to up to three loads of laundry with detergent and fabric softener provided. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Laundry Love Night is by appointment only with available time slots starting at 6 p.m.. Walk-ins are not accepted.

Dana and Tom Leach of The Church in Chillicothe fund the program and volunteer at the event every night. She said it is a "blessing" to help the community.

Michael Mick, of Chillicothe, folds his laundry inside of Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Michael Mick, of Chillicothe, folds his laundry inside of Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.

"You can get help with your bills, you can get help with food, but laundry just didn't seem to be one of those things that was well provided for," Dana said. "We saw that as a way for us to just show love to the community."

Dana said she has built relationships with Laundry Love regulars and has watched people improve their lives drastically.

The laundromat also offers free clothes at Laundry Love night, including heavy coats during the winter months.

Call Brite and Clean at 740-775-7760 to make an appointment.

Eric Kinsel, of Chillicothe, loads his clothes into a dryer while he was doing his laundry at the Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Eric Kinsel, of Chillicothe, loads his clothes into a dryer while he was doing his laundry at the Brite and Clean Laundromat on September 8, 2023, in Chillicothe, Ohio.

The Chillicothe City School District and Brite and Clean Laundry also teamed up to offer free laundry vouchers to students in need. Tabitha Muse, the McKinney-Vento Coordinator at CCSD, said the voucher can help students wash clothing, bedding and more.

"I think that a lot of people don't realize that [laundry] is a necessity and it's a basic necessity," Muse said. "Not everyone has money to pay the gas to get to work and then do their laundry."

Not only does the laundromat offer free use of the washer and dryers to students with vouchers, but they will also provide detergent and teach them how to use the machines.

No voucher is one size fits all and the team works to meet each individual student's needs. CCSD pays a "nominal" fee to provide the service.

With constant repairs to the building, Brite and Clean plans to remain a staple in the community for years to come. Brite and Clean Coin Laundry is located at 49 Douglass Ave.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Brite and Clean Laundry in Chillicothe offers free laundry