Friday, January 9, 2009

Clean

Clean enough to eat off of the floor!

At least once a week, I drive past this laundromat on Georgia Avenue at Rittenhouse. Most urban laundromats are poorly kept, smell bad, are dark and dank, and could use a good scrubbing from top to bottom. Curious about this one, I decided to pop my head in the other day while I was out walking. It was well-lit, smelled nice, and was spotless. In fact, this laundromat is so clean, you could eat off the floor! (Not that you would, but you could.)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

13 comments:

Knoxville Girl said...

that is the shiniest laundromat I've ever seen, and I like your vantage point. some of the laundromats I've used in the past - well, I wondered if my clothes would actually get dirtier if I used their machines. glad I don't have to do that anymore.

Virginia said...

Great POF. I have spent many an hour in laundromats. Brought back memories. Made me want to run out for quarters! We might need to chat over the weekend. Possible news.
V

-K- said...

This is hypnotic. The colors are both bold and muted at the same time.

As for content, it has a late Sixties feel to it which I always find appealing in that photography is always able, at least to me, to take me from one environment into another. And maybe because of the way you shot this, at such a steep angle, I'm really drawn into that world.

The Artful Eye said...

I've never seen a laundromat this clean or large for that matter.

Like Knoxville Girl, I used to wonder if my clothing would come out as bad as the place would smell or if the place would get held up and lock all the customers in the back.

Bob Crowe said...

What wonderful composition and color. I've had teachers tell me to get down on the floor/ground more ofter but I'm tall, stiff and clumsy so I don't often make the effort. Thanks for the reminder.

Janet Kincaid said...

KG: Isn't it, though? I've been in some pretty gnarly laundromats in my time, too. They creep me out almost as bad as gas station restrooms. Ick.


VJ: Thanks! I set my camera on the floor--it was that clean--and fired away. I'm around all weekend! Would love to chat.


Kevin: Thank you! I was going for a slightly washed, faded look (no pun intended) here. I like POVs from the ground up. Part of that could be my own short stature.


Andrea: It's certainly the cleanest one I've ever seen. I like your imagination! I suppose that could happen in a clean laundromat, too, but seems less likely somehow...


Bob: Thank you! I'll tell you my secret: 6" tripod. That way, you don't have to actually get on the floor. (Maya and Virginia seem to be of the impression that I go around lying on floors and sidewalks all over the city. Alas, no. Too dirty!)


Wayne: Thanks!

marley said...

Sparkling clean! Great angle for the photo.

I read your comment at D.L's blog about me and 2 Things - I'm going to do it! I think! Lol ;)

-K- said...

It looks like the laundry room from "2001."

Brian said...

What a charming little laundromat. As a complete germ-o-phobe, I have an issue about sharing laundry facilites with the masses, so my few experiences in laundromats have all been quite traumatic. This one however, I may be able to tolerate. :)

Godinla said...

You mean floors are supposed to be clean before you eat off of them? I wish you'd told me that years ago. So, that's where this damned tapeworm came from!

I'm not a guy who pays a lot of attention to colors but this photo is blossoming. I doubt that it's really a laundromat though. Probably some CIA front.

Janet Kincaid said...

Marley: Woo hoo! Glad you'll be joining us. And yes, that is one sparkly clean floor!


Kevin: Okay, now I'm going to have to Netflix that movie. (I confess: it's one of the classics I've never seen. It and Casablanca. Must correct that.)


Brian: Even without a healthy dose of germophobia, laundromats should, by definition, freak us all out. This one, however, is almost zen. If I didn't have a W/D in my house, I'd come here. The added bonus? It's across the street from a place that makes fried chicken!


God-in-LA: Eating off clean floors is a recent phenomenon. They're featuring it on the all the cooking shows now! As for the laundromat being a front for the CIA, in this town that's more than possible.

Maya said...

Very nice! Laundromats make for very interesting photos (especially when they are colorful like this one). I posted one on my blog awhile ago too!

Janet Kincaid said...

Maya: How did I miss the picture of the laundromat on your blog? I just went back and searched for it and may I just say "Wow!" Laundromats don't seem like they'd make a good picture, but as we've proven here, they do.