Dirty Laundry, Fresh Coffee
by Daoli ZhangWaiting for laundry to get clean can be tedious. Here are three local companies that created a mini cafe in the laundromat. You can plan a coffee date with friends while waiting for your laundry to be washed and dried.
1. Coffee & Laundry
Address: Shop F, G/F, 1 Queen Street, Sheung Wan
Opening hours: Coffee shop | Mon-Fri 8:00 – 17:00; Sat-Sun 9:00 – 18:00 / Self-serve laundry | 24/7
If you’re in the mood for a vintage vibe, Sheung Wan’s Coffee & Laundry oozes cute and quirky decorations. Despite its small size, the store’s old wooden entrance and panda mascot catch your eye immediately. The panda theme follows into the store, as panda stickers cover the self-service machines. Customers can easily start their load with the tap of their Octopus card. A long strip of seats surround the front of the store, while some quieter seats fall in the back to allow patrons to enjoy a cup of coffee during their wait.
“I love the warm, modern feel of the place,” said Amanda, who came in to order a cup of coffee. “It brings the concept of slow living into this fast-moving city.”
When ordering coffee here, Queen’s Coffee is a must-try, featuring fresh orange and lemon juice infused with espresso for a rejuvenating and slightly sweet taste. The Panda Latte, made with natural milk and sesame, is also another popular choice.
Coffee & Laundry’s has retro Japanese posters and magazines, old electric fans, and black and white flooring. The decor immediately transports you to a bygone era and encourages you to slow down and enjoy the moment.
2. Clean
Address: G/F, 100 Queen’s Road West, Western District
Opening hours: Coffee shop | 8:00 – 17:00 / Self-serve laundry | 24/7
Clean is hard to miss with its yellow checkered brick walls contrasting beautifully with the old neighborhood. You are welcomed by its bright and airy space. The shop maximizes its indoor and outside spaces with specially-designed steps and cafe tables.
Sustainability and veganism are at the forefront of Clean’s philosophy. The store charges extra for milk and take-out packaging, serving oat milk as the default option for coffee. In addition, the store is developing and selling laundry products that support sustainable living, including hypoallergenic, natural, and non-harmful laundry detergent strips. You can use Octopus, Alipay, or WeChat for payment.
“Maybe it’s difficult to promote the idea of sustainable living like it is to promote oat milk,” said Cynthia, the owner, “but it’s really something I want to do to contribute to the community.”
While waiting for your laundry, you can indulge in their range of vegan food and drinks, including their signature oat milk latte. Or for a gourmet drink try cascara, a tangy tea made from coffee peels.
If you’re looking to start a sustainable lifestyle and make a positive impact on the community and planet, Clean is the perfect spot to start.
3. Mui Wo Laundry Co
Address: 17A Mui Wo Rural Committee Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
Opening hours: 07:00 – 23:00
If you’re visiting Mui Wo for a countryside getaway, this store can make your trip more convenient and comfortable.
The green and white color scheme looks fitting yet modern in the rural landscape. Inside, the store is spacious with a wall of washing machines and dryers, a considerate hand washing station, clothing baskets, and mirrors. The benches and small tables both inside and outside are also comfortable, and the spaciousness ensures that customers won’t interfere with each other.
This place leans more towards a laundromat than a cafe. Unlike the first two stores mentioned, there’s no barista here to make coffee, but they do have a coffee machine with a wide selection. Even though it’s ground coffee, their iced Americano and hot matcha lattes are pure and delicious.
