Neighbors on Madison’s southwest side are invited to Dana Lou’s laundromat on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free washing, drying, and detergent as part of Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center’s Laundry Love program. 

Laundry Love is a simple idea with a powerful impact: everyone deserves clean clothes. For many families, though, the cost of doing laundry at a laundromat competes with essentials like food, rent, and transportation. Laundry Love steps into that gap by partnering with local groups, such as Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center, to cover laundry expenses and create welcoming spaces where people can wash their clothes with dignity. 

But the impact goes beyond clean clothes. Something as basic as fresh laundry can affect how a child feels at school, how confidently someone shows up for a job interview, or whether a person feels seen and respected in their community. Laundry Love is a place of connection, where staff and neighbors share conversation, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.