SERIES: GIVING BACK

It’s a simple concept really. Everyone needs clean clothes; some people can’t afford to get them that way. This became particularly evident during the pandemic, and Nancy Seto, owner of Yummi Cafe Laundromat decided to do something about it.

Free Laundry Access helps those who are experiencing financial challenges¹ by covering the full cost of laundering in a self-service laundromat with the:

● Cost of wash
● Cost of dry
● Laundry detergent
● Dryer sheets

The end of the pandemic was not the end of the need. “There are still great social and economic disparities, especially now with significant government budget cuts, reduction in social services, and the soaring cost of living such as food, housing, and medication,” she said on her website.

An idea becomes a charity

It’s one thing to come up with a small solution to a problem, but quite another to make it viable across Canada. Nancy is a bubbly, enthusiastic person and she set out to turn her simple idea into a program any laundromat can be part of. She’s done all the ground work to make Free Laundry Access an official charity, found willing partners and is building the program across the country.

“We partner with laundromats in major cities across Canada to deliver the service on site and in person. To spread the word about this much needed program we work with grass-roots community groups, governments, and charitable organizations,” she said.

How it works

Once a month, the doors are thrown open at Yummi Cafe Laundromat in Toronto, East Van Laundry in Vancouver, Wishy Washy in East York, ON, and King Coin Laundromat in Hamilton, ON. At least, that’s the list for now. Nancy hopes for many more participating laundromats in coming months and years.

The services are provided to individuals and families facing financial challenges. Laundry credits are based on the number of individuals within a given household, and according to government definitions of low-income status.

(Canadian Government defines the threshold for a single-adult household with low-income is $27,514 or $51,128 for a family of 4. Statistics Canada determines the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold by family size, per the Census Family definition). The Low Income Cut-Off thresholds were last updated June 30, 2023.)

For example:

• 1 individual — 4 loads or 30 pounds of laundry
• 2 individuals — 8 loads or 60 pounds of laundry
• 3 individuals — 12 loads or 90 pounds of laundry
• 4 individuals — 16 loads or 120 pounds of laundry

Staff are on hand at every event to assist those taking advantage of the program. Participants apply in advance and are given their allotted laundry credits for the event.

Nancy’s website has detailed information for those needing free laundry services, including the criteria, what is included, the dates of upcoming free laundry events, and application links. Free services are only offered on designated event days.

A little Sunlight

The free laundry experience includes all supplies, such as detergent and dryer sheets. Sunlight Detergent has given Free Laundry Access a grant to ensure the program can continue, and detergent and other supplies to make it viable.

They’ve also included Nancy Seto and the program in one of their commercials, hailing her innovative and caring spirit in starting the program and keeping it going. We experienced her enthusiasm first-hand at the recent Canadian Fabricare Association (CFA) CleanExpo 24, where she had a booth. She made a special effort to go to every other booth on the show floor and educate companies on her program, as well as cleaners and launderers who stopped at her booth.

Seeing a problem in the community is a gift; finding a way to help with the problem is visionary.

If you are interested in learning more and participating in the Free Laundry Access program, contact Nancy via her website. She is eager to expand the program to all corners of the country.

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