24 Hour Washateria

The best thing about 24 Hour Washateria is right there in the name. This Houston laundromat, over on Richmond Ave, really does keep its doors open 24/7, and folks have confirmed it by phone when they had a late load to run. Regulars will tell you it's the kind of place you can walk into at three in the morning and get your washing done in peace. If your schedule doesn't line up with normal hours, that alone makes it worth knowing about. Don't come expecting a fancy remodel.

Ask anyone who washes here and they'll be honest that the place is older and a little worn around the edges. The machines earn their keep. People who do their laundry here swear the washers and dryers work better than the shiny upgraded ones across town, and the big industrial-size machines handle comforters and bulky loads without a fuss. One regular put it well, saying it may not be luxurious but it feels warm and welcoming, and the washers just do their job. We hear the staff are always cleaning, too.

The attendant on duty gets a lot of love. The word around Houston is that Dennis, who runs the place, greets everyone with a smile and will help however he can, and more than a few people count their conversations with him as part of the reason they keep coming back. Value comes up again and again, described as fair and easy on the wallet, and it's set up with a change machine on site for your quarters. The lot is roomy, which helps when you're hauling baskets. A couple of honest notes: when it gets busy you might wait for a free machine, and we've heard the odd grumble about the restrooms not being kept as fresh as the wash floor.

Locals also mention the map can send you around the block, so allow a minute to find the entrance. Even so, plenty of people in the area count this as their regular spot, and for a safe, well-lit wash at any hour, it holds up.