Self-service laundry machines from Wash.ME are being installed at 700 Asda stores across the UK, and one has already appeared in the car park of Bents garden centre in Glazebury. I decided to test it to see what Asda shoppers will get.
A new way to wash while you shop
The rollout was announced in April, promising 'customers a quick, convenient and great-value way to wash and dry clothes while they shop'. So far, around 45 units have been installed at Asda stores, including at Express stores in Bury Old Road, Whitefield; Upholland Road, Billinge, Wigan; and Buxton Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport. Further afield, they are at Express stores in Holmes Chapel, Crewe and Sandbach.
Each unit has a large-capacity 20kg drum and a 9kg drum, as well as a 20kg dryer. I took along some duvets and pillows for the 20kg drum, as they wouldn't fit in my home washing machine, and the dog's blankets for the 9kg drum.
Why people are choosing these machines
David Perks, managing director of ME Group UK, says there are 'several reasons' people are choosing their machines over standard washing machines. The first is capacity: 'The 20kg capacity equates to three loads more than a standard 6kg home machine, making it suitable for washing and drying larger quantities and bulkier items.'
Speed is another advantage, as the machines are high-capacity, commercial-grade units engineered for fast cycle times. Energy costs are also a factor, with many households reconsidering the cost of running appliances at home, especially older, less efficient machines. The units include ecological and hypoallergenic detergent in each wash, with fabric softener and disinfectant as optional add-ons.
Convenience and cost
David also noted that most modern housing doesn't accommodate two appliances, and the growth of rental living, smaller homes, and the decline of in-building laundry facilities have contributed to increased usage. The machines are 'conveniently located' in supermarkets, petrol stations, retail parks and independent locations, making it easier to combine laundry with everyday errands.
When I arrived at Bents on Wednesday evening, nobody was using the machine. There are clear instructions on the outside and a screen where you can select your service before paying with a card or contactless. I chose a 'normal' 40 degree wash for 30 minutes in the 9kg drum, which costs £5.50 with detergent included; the 20kg drum costs £12. You can add prewash and softener for £1 each, or softener and sanitizer for £1.50, and enter your mobile number to get a text five minutes before the wash ends.
The wash came out really clean and smelling fresh. I was told the car park usually closes at 8.30pm, and it was already past that, but I didn't need the dryer given the warm weather. Bents itself was closed, so I couldn't wander around while waiting.
What's next
Joseph Sutton, vice president Asda Express, foodservice and fuel, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to make life easier for the customers who shop with us, particularly by strengthening the breadth of services that meet their needs under one roof. This large-scale rollout of Wash.ME units gives customers a quick, convenient and great-value way to tackle their laundry while they shop. We’re pleased to be working with ME Group on this significant partnership and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to customers across the UK.”
In 2025, ME Group announced a record 1,326 Wash.ME machine installations and says it has 'clear ambitions to continue building on this progress'. A full list of stores has not yet been released, but Asda says its online store locator is being updated as the rollout continues. ME Group says it will soon launch an app to show customers where machines are located and if they are available.
