What to Do If Your Laundry Goes Missing at a Laundromat

Laundry theft at laundromats is uncommon but not unheard of. More frequently, what appears to be theft turns out to be a misunderstanding — someone moved your laundry from a finished machine thinking it was theirs, or placed it on a folding table and it got mixed up with other items. Here’s how to handle the situation calmly and what steps to take.

Step 1: Check the Nearby Area First

Before assuming theft, look around the laundromat. Your laundry may have been moved by another customer or staff member — placed on a folding table, in a basket, or on top of another machine. This happens far more often than actual theft, especially in busy laundromats.

Check the folding tables, any laundry baskets or trolleys in the area, and even inside nearby dryers that might have been used to temporarily hold items.

Step 2: Notify Staff Immediately

If you can’t locate your laundry after a thorough look, tell staff immediately. At Love Wash, our premises are covered by CCTV, which means staff can review footage to help determine what happened to your items. The sooner you report it, the more helpful the footage will be.

Step 3: File a Report

If theft is confirmed or strongly suspected, file a report with us (we keep records) and consider filing a police report as well. While a police report won’t immediately recover your clothing, it creates an official record and contributes to any pattern the police may be tracking in the area.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurer

Some contents insurance policies cover personal items stolen in public places. If the stolen laundry had significant value — work uniforms, expensive clothing — contact your insurer to check if you have coverage.

Prevention Tips

• Be present at key moments: The times when laundry is most vulnerable are when machines finish and items are sitting in a completed machine, or during the transfer from washer to dryer.
• Use a recognisable bag: A distinctive laundry bag makes your items easy to identify if misplaced.
• Mark items: For items with high sentimental or replacement value, a fabric marker on an inconspicuous area can help identify them.
• Use a locker: If the laundromat has lockers for valuables, use them for your bag and keys.
• Choose a well-monitored laundromat: Love Wash’s CCTV coverage and staff presence significantly deter opportunistic theft.

The Love Wash Commitment

We take the security and comfort of our customers seriously. Our cameras cover all machine areas and entry and exit points. If you ever feel unsafe or suspect something is wrong at any Love Wash location, please speak to our staff — they are trained to respond appropriately and to help.