Newberry SC, September 21, 2025
News Summary
Southern Suds Laundromat in Newberry, SC, hosted a successful Free Laundry Day, allowing families to wash and dry clothes for free. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the laundromat operated without charge, easing the financial burden on many households. Community members enjoyed complimentary coffee, pizza, and a children’s story time. The event saw significant participation, leading owners Nick and Sarah Macken to plan a repeat next year before the school year starts, aiming to establish it as a community tradition.
Newberry, SC: Southern Suds Laundromat Hosts Successful Free Laundry Day
Southern Suds Laundromat in Newberry, SC, recently hosted a successful Free Laundry Day that allowed community members to wash and dry their clothes at no cost. The event took place on Saturday, offering complimentary laundry services from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. During this time, not a single quarter was required, as the laundromat operated its machines without charge for attending families.
The owners of Southern Suds Laundromat, Nick and Sarah Macken, ensured that the machines were bustling throughout the event, demonstrating the overwhelming demand for this community service. As of 2022, it was reported that the average American family spent about $170 a year on laundry supplies, not accounting for the wash and dry costs for those without in-home machines, highlighting the significance of this event for many households.
Residents like Lashaya Wilson took advantage of this opportunity by planning ahead and saving up their laundry specifically for Free Laundry Day. Wilson noted that the financial relief provided by this initiative allowed her to allocate more money to essential expenses such as bills, taxes, insurance, food, and maintenance.
To add to the festivities, attendees enjoyed complimentary coffee and pizza, along with a children’s story time led by Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster. Sheriff Foster underscored the importance of the event, describing laundry as a common financial burden for many families, and emphasized the positive impact of such community-driven efforts.
With a turnout that exceeded expectations, the Macken couple expressed their satisfaction with the result of the event. They announced plans to repeat Free Laundry Day next year, aiming to hold it just before the start of the school year, enabling families to send their children back to class in clean clothes.
Nick Macken remarked on the event as a way to give back to the community that has embraced them since they took over the laundromat three years ago. The event was made possible through collaborative efforts with local businesses that contributed food, books, and time to enhance the experience for attendees.
Organizers of Free Laundry Day hope to establish this initiative as a community tradition, providing a vital service and fostering community spirit among residents in Newberry.
FAQ
- What event took place at Southern Suds Laundromat? Free Laundry Day took place at Southern Suds Laundromat in Newberry, SC.
- What services were offered during Free Laundry Day? The event offered free wash and dry services from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Did attendees need to pay for laundry on this day? Not a single quarter was needed to wash clothes on this day.
- How long did the laundromat run its machines? Southern Suds Laundromat ran machines nonstop throughout the event.
- How much did the average American family spend on laundry supplies as of 2022? The average American family spent about $170 a year on laundry supplies as of 2022, excluding wash/dry costs for those without home machines.
- How did the event impact residents financially? Residents, like Lashaya Wilson, planned ahead by saving laundry for the event, emphasizing its financial relief.
- What additional services were provided to attendees? Free coffee and pizza were provided to attendees, alongside a children’s story time with Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster.
- What did Sheriff Foster say about the event? Sheriff Foster highlighted the blessing of the event, stating laundry is often a financial burden.
- What are the plans for Free Laundry Day in the future? The owners expressed satisfaction with the turnout and plan to repeat the event next year.
- What is the purpose behind hosting Free Laundry Day? Hosting the event was a way to give back to the community that embraced them since taking over the laundromat three years ago.
- What kind of support did the event receive? The event was a collaborative effort with local businesses contributing food, books, and time.
- What is the long-term goal for Free Laundry Day? Organizers hope to establish Free Laundry Day as a community tradition.
Key Features of Free Laundry Day at Southern Suds Laundromat
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Free Laundry Day |
| Date | Saturday |
| Time | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Cost | No charge for washing or drying |
| Average Cost of Laundry Supplies (2022) | $170 per year |
| Community Impact | Financial relief for families |
| Additional Services | Coffee, pizza, and story time |
| Future Plans | Repeat event before the school year |
| Owners | Nick and Sarah Macken |
| Organizers’ Hope | Establish as a community tradition |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Southern Suds Laundromat to Host Free Laundry Day
Former Police Chief’s Daring Escape Shakes Up Prison System
Additional Resources
- WLTX: Free Laundry Day in Newberry
- Wikipedia: Laundry
- WLTX: It’s Time to Come Clean for Free Laundry Day
- Google Search: Free Laundry Day
- WYFF: Major Disaster Declaration Approved in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
- WLTX: Free Laundry Day Video
- Google News: Newberry SC
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
