A reporter from the Liverpool Echo tested the Wash.Me self-service washing machine at Asda Express Greenlane Petrol Station in Birkenhead, finding the large 20kg drum ideal for bulkier items but the cost too high for regular use. The machines have been appearing across Merseyside, with more than 1,000 installed nationwide.
Large capacity and speed
Each unit has a large-capacity 20kg drum and a 9kg drum, as well as a 20kg dryer. David Perks, managing director of ME Group UK, said there are “several reasons” people are choosing these machines over standard washing machines. “The first reason is capacity. The 20kg capacity equates to three loads more than a standard 6kg home machine,” he said.
“Speed is another major advantage. Because our machines are high-capacity, commercial-grade units, they are engineered for fast cycle times. A standard wash and dry cycle is often completed much faster than in a typical household machine. This speed appeals to people with busy schedules, as well as those washing larger quantities and bulkier items,” he added.
Easy to use and pricing
The machine had clear instructions on display, with a screen for selecting services before paying by card or contactless. Options included adding prewash and softener for £1 each, or softener and sanitizer for £2.50. The reporter opted for a “normal” 40-degree wash for 30 minutes in the 9kg drum, which cost £5.50 and included detergent. The same options in the 20kg drum cost £11.
David said: “Our Wash.ME units are priced to offer a competitive alternative to domestic washing machines. Fabric softener and disinfectant are optional add-ons. In today's convenience-driven world, this gives customers the option to avoid the ongoing costs associated with owning a machine such as electricity, water, detergent, maintenance, and eventual replacement.”
Security and drying
While the laundry was left unattended, a lock mechanism prevented the door from opening. A phone number could be entered to receive a text five minutes before the end of the wash. The clothes came out clean and nicely smelling, and the dryer offered times from 15 minutes to an hour at £3.50 per 15 minutes. A 15-minute cycle left the clothes bone dry.
David said: “The growth of rental living, smaller homes, and the decline of in-building laundry facilities have contributed to increased usage. We have noted that in high-density suburban areas, our dryers particularly help alleviate damp and mould during the cold and wet months by eradicating the need to dry laundry indoors.”
Expansion plans
In April 2026, Wash.ME announced their units will be rolled out to 700 Asda stores, with a full list of locations not yet released. Asda said its online ‘store locator’ is being updated as the roll-out continues. In 2025, the ME Group announced a record number of 1,326 Wash.ME machine installations and said it has “clear ambitions to continue building on this progress”. ME Group said it will be launching an app to show customers where machines are located and if they are available to use.
The reporter concluded the experience was too expensive to do regularly but noted the units offer far better value for a much greater volume of washing, and said she could see herself returning in the winter to do a big bedding wash. Merseyside locations with a Wash.ME machine include Asda Express Green Lane PFS in Birkenhead, BP petrol stations in Aigburth, Aintree, Birkenhead, and Edge Lane, plus sites in Bootle, Wallasey, Bromborough, Kirkdale, and Belle Vale.
