Gen Z says ‘genius’ laundromat dates help them save money — and fall more in love

Agnèssa and Emilio Navarro love to talk dirty.

Dirty shirt, dirty socks, dirty underwear.

Rather than bouquets of roses and flickering candles, a bag of soiled clothes is often the focal point of the newlyweds’ romantic rendezvous.

“We love going on laundromat dates,” Agnèssa, 26, a lifestyle influencer from Nolita, told The Post.

She and her personal trainer, Emilio, 26, charge about $50 per visit. Enjoy some intimate alone time Dropping off laundry to be rinsed at Laundry to Go on Mott Street.

“We catch up, we laugh, we tell stories, we people-watch,” she says, “and we pamper ourselves with sweet treats while the machines run.”

The couple are part of a growing group of twenty-somethings who are ditching lavish relationships at hot spots like Cosmetics and Carbone for cozy quality time around a shared washer and dryer.

The whoosh, clang and rumble of household appliances have served as background noise for love meetings and get-togethers in 2000s romantic comedies like “Big Daddy,” “Friends” and “40 Days and 40 Nights.”

Now, Gen Z lovers who can no longer afford dinner at a fancy bistro or cocktails at a luxury club because of inflation are flocking to laundromats for a cheap night out.

While the cost of washing a load of laundry typically ranges between $3 and $12 per washing machine, an intimate night on the town can cost couples across the U.S. $2,500 a year.

So, under TikTok’s #RomanticizeYourLife stamp, cost-conscious couples glamorize the chore of washing and folding, sending glaring glances at each other from the first turn to the last.

Erin Carpenter, the owner of the laundromat, Williamsburg designed a date-friendly laundrytold the Post that the industry is shedding its rusty, dusty image and creating cute, cozy spaces for fun-seeking customers.

“Doing laundry is a necessity for most people,” says Carpenter, 31, a native of Charleston, S.C. “But creating an environment where people can come together and relax, eat and drink and enjoy each other’s company really enhances the experience.”

At Laundry Loft, a bubbly bar set to open in October 2024, Carpenter and her husband, John, hope to wow guests with comfy booths perfect for snuggling and self-service stations for coffee and snacks.

There will also be music, live performances and neighborhood meet-ups for frequent visitors to Brooklyn.

The laundry will recreate the glamorous atmosphere of places like Lala Laundry in Alphabet City and Sunshine Laundry in Greenpoint, where local jokers host comedy shows. Serving cold drinks to customers in speakeasy lounge.

“Going out on dates can be really expensive these days,” Carpenter says.

“People are craving new experiences that make their daily lives with their partners more exciting and romantic.”

While wiping a stain off a sweatshirt isn’t inherently sexy, Manhattan relationship coach Amy Nobile Messing told The Post that tackling the task together often deepens the bond between couples.

“Laundromat dates are a genius idea,” says the expert, who offers matchmaking advice to New York singles that can cost more than $10,000. “It’s a stress test.”

“For a traditional date at a restaurant or movie theater, everyone is on their best behavior,” she continued.

“But doing something like laundry gives us a glimpse into how each other handles stress — like when the washing machine breaks down,” Messing added. “It also exposes our problem-solving skills, teamwork skills, and ability to show perseverance and compassion.”

“Helping your partner through a difficult task is also a sweet expression of love and care.”

Monica Combs, 26 years old, Say some of the sweetest moments The time she spent with her husband of 26 years, Ty, was spent waiting for the cycle of dark, white and light to complete.

“Going to the laundromat is so beautiful and fun,” Combs, a fashion content creator from Nashville, Tennessee, told The Washington Post, adding that she and Ty spend time kissing, holding hands and watching shows.

“Doing laundry isn’t the most fun thing in the world,” the brunette admitted, “but I’d rather do it with him than go on a trip to Italy with someone else.”

“When you’re in a long-term relationship with someone, the question that ultimately matters is: Do I really enjoy being with this person?”