Laundry in Waukegan, IL

“Clean. Has A/C. Updated machines. Not super expensive. Friendly owner. On site staff. The most is the amazing play area for toddlers with a tv playing cartoons.
Edit: We just recently went again on a Sunday this time. It was busier than the weekday I went so there were more people but we only had to wait a few minutes for the machines we wanted to open up. I was doing 20 lbs of laundry and needed the larger machines there were regular sized and medium sized washers available while I waited for the biggest ones. It was still super clean had no issues with dryers working but I follow the recommended loading so everything was dry within 30 minutes. I do laundry with poplin so I frequently use many laundromats and this one is consistently clean no mold in the machines and the dryers work. It is the only laundromat we have been to that has real cartoons playing to entertain the kids and working WiFi.”

“My first visit this past weekend, and wow — easily one of the best laundromat experiences I've ever had. The place is spotless, and the technology is next-level. I'll be honest, I had no idea what I was doing at first, but the attendant working there was an absolute sweetheart. She walked me through everything — the card system, how to track your balance, washes and dries for the day — all of it. Patient, attentive, and genuinely kind. That kind of service is rare anywhere, let alone a laundromat.
The other customers were friendly too, which made the whole vibe feel welcoming. I hadn't set foot in one of these places in over 15 years, so I was fully expecting to dig through my pockets for quarters like the old days. Not anymore. This place has come a long way.
Tons of washers, dryers, plenty of seating — it's got everything you need. Highly recommend checking it out.”

“The people that work here are great , helpful kind , I haven't had a bad experience here like the other place. The gentleman that works there Is always helpful and friendly . I one time started the wrong washer and I didn't have more money to start the one I had my clothes in , they fixed it with no problem . Yes it was my mistake but they happen. Thank you agian . Would recommend going here before going to any other place.”

“Let me just start by saying: I have seen the light. And it’s fluorescent. And it lives at Ellie’s Laundromat.

I wandered in on a humble Tuesday, weighed down by a bag of laundry so large it could’ve been classified as a sentient being. My shirt had salsa stains from 2023. My socks had seen things. My towels? They were crunchy. CRUNCHY, PEOPLE. But then… I saw it. The glimmer. The shimmer. The washing machines. The only coins I could imagine using are the nicest ones I owned.

These were not ordinary machines. No, no. Ellie’s machines shine with the hope of a thousand sunrises and the promise of perfectly fluffed pillowcases. I reached in my pocket for my roll of fresh quarters. I held them in my hand and whispered, “It’s your time to shine.” I inserted the first one into the machine and I swear I SWEAR I heard the faint sound of angels humming. Or maybe it was just the gentle hum of the spin cycle. Doesn’t matter. I was transformed.

Each machine is like a steel chariot of cleanliness, whisking away the sins of spilled coffee and sweat with a vengeance. I stood there, hypnotized by the swirling water, feeling emotions I hadn’t felt since the final episode of Friends. The suds danced. The clothes tumbled. I think I even saw a tiny rainbow inside the dryer. That might’ve been a hallucination from lack of sleep, but it FELT REAL.

But wait. The vibes? IMMACULATE. The owner Laurence came by and asked me how my cycle was going. I panicked and responded, “Emotionally or fabric-wise?” He laughed. I laughed. The dryer beeped in agreement. We shared a moment.

There are chairs that don’t squeak. There’s a vending machine that actually works. The smell? A divine blend of lavender, hope, and clean cotton. I had a spiritual awakening next to a stack of folded dish towels.

As I folded my final fitted sheet (yes, I folded it, like a grown-up domestic goddess), I realized I didn’t want to leave. Ellie’s Laundromat wasn’t just a place to wash clothes. It was a place to cleanse your soul.

I now do my laundry twice a week. I bring clothes that are already clean. I just want to be there. I just want to feel something.

If you’re looking for clean socks and a reason to believe in humanity again look no further.
Ellie’s. Is. It.

--Forever yours in fabric softener,
A Loyal Coin-Wielding Disciple of the Dryer

P.S. Laurence I really appreciate you cursing out the machines you are always trying so hard. Thank you.”

“5+2 ? Well, considering I haven't been to a laundromat since I was a teenager in California, which was over 44 years ago, I had a blast! The attendant (Anne) was very helpful in showing me how to navigate adding detergent, bleach and fabric softener, also, how to add money to the dryers once they were going instead of waiting till they turned off (thank you Anne ?). I would also say that the place was spotless. Nothing on the floor no garbage filled garbage cans, and, bathrooms were spotless. They had soap and such available if you needed to buy some there. An ATM, a change machine, and some other little novelty vending machines. Plenty of tables for folding, and plenty of tables and chairs for sitting. More than enough laundry carts, like I said, I thought it was fun. Washing a bunch of big comforters and blankets, that's the place to go with the big washers and dryers. I would highly recommend this location!”