Aphrodite Cleaners

I have finally had enough, they changed their name to sophies and moved across the street. What happened was i have had them pick up and deliver my laundry for year with few problems. I am sure things have gone missing but its not the end of the world to lose a sock or 3, occasionally things weren’t washed properly and i brought it back to have it redone. However I won’t be using them again after getting my laundry brought back to find someone else clothes. Not a little, but a ton. i am missing stuff as well. It was the straw that broke the camels back for me. Freaks me out too much.

I sympathize with the reviewer shocked by moldy-​smelling washers and the pay-​same-​price-​get-​cold-​water thing. There’s a sense here of shoestring service for hefty (I almost wrote «extortionate») prices — but who knows why. Trust me Aphrodite’s not going to get into it with their evil landlord to rebate for cold water, so no rebate for you either.
What you smell in a machine can also be the result of the previous user putting moldy wet old hairy nitrogenous god-​knows-​what in there. Takes another wash or two to get that machine freshened up, and attendants aren’t going to do that. Not for nothing, the water quality in this neighborhood blows. Old dirty doggy smelling mystery stuff right out of the taps. If you want sparkling fresh machines, go to Clean Action at 175^th & B’way.
I’d say 80% of the time my clothing is returned in very fine shape. It’s that other 20% which combines with their prices to say Go Elsewhere — so I have.
Now, Aph Staff have lied to me when convenient — for example saying they have no access to the voicemail to pick up messages. Why have voicemail in a business then? Next day, same girl has recorded an outgoing message, so [laff].
Wash & fold: I’ve used this service as seldom as possible, emergency-​type things, since $ 1.40/pound in a $.90-​$ 1.00/pound world offends my sense of… sense. They’ve lost things I still miss. And tried to cover it up by bundling with matching stuff that wasn’t mine. No apologies.
Dry cleaning: Always had them deliver, with the wash & fold. So, this time there are shirts missing and the guy is trying to shuffle me for a tip before I make it through the count. He usually gets a fat one, and I will, I will just after I finish counting and then had to ASK where the rest are. He plays dumb, shrugs, his English leaves him for a minute, but I press the point so he admits he knew already. Says ‘tomorrow, they didn’t come in yet.’ He’s still staring at my hands. Tip comes when job’s done! Man’s old enough to know that in any language.
Hey Sam, is that $ 1.00 shirt deal for dropoffs only? Mine are charged at $ 2.70! plus Pay Cash or Suffer $ 5 Surcharge!
Three stars for this place, because that’s what 2.5 rounds up to.

They have a decent deal of dress shirts with a certain amount of laundry. That’s nice. The staff is friendly and honest (they’ve returned to me real amounts of money and electronics on more than one occasion that I’ve been silly enough to leave in pockets). They probably do wash (as someone said) everything on cold out of an abundance of caution, but since everything I own is black and my dress shirts are getting dry cleaned for $ 1… I’m pretty cool with that.
The biggest complaint I have is that things aren’t dried adequately before they’re bagged, so if you don’t pick up quickly and get it open, you end up with moldy belongings. Also, you’ll probably lose/​gain a few basics (some basic black items have migrated into my wardrobe and no doubt out of it). This happens all over though (and I can tell because I buy like one kind of black shirt, and wear one size of underwear… so anything large or not my brand shirt is pretty obvious). Whatever. Risk of doing this. Delivery is lightning fast. And with the dress shirt deal, if you have to dress professional, it’s a pretty good value.
p. s. To the other person who complained about the English skills… you do know you’re at a cleaner right? English proficiency is not a hallmark of this industry. Besides, if anybody’s ever «pretending not to understand English» to avoid you you’ve probably alienated them, and they’d just blow you off with English if they spoke it. Like you’ve never had white people tell you «the manager isn’t here» or «I’m sorry I can’t do that» when the manager is clearly in and they clearly can? It has nothing to do with English skills. It might have to do with your attitude or tipping, honestly, because I’ve never ever had a problem. I have had issues with lost articles where I just know they can’t get them back or help me… but whatever, I’m not out to get anybody in trouble and they’ve been extra attentive, knocked things off my bill later… found things and sent them to my apartment. I mean, why do you need to file a complaint anyway? In my experience they’re actually professional and nice enough to try to fix a problem… and yeah. They’re not actually paid enough to give a shit, and nobody is going to can them over one botched load of laundry. They have a high volume business and work long hours… and there’s just not a lot of competition to make them have to do better. That’s the way it goes.
But like, yeah. I get it. It sucks if something tears or smells funky or isn’t fully cleaned. But they’re not set up to give you credits and refunds like a midtown joint. Just be cool and don’t yell at anybody who’s 50, lifting bags her size, and running around in linty, hot, humid air for 16 hours. They’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re allowed to go somewhere better. If you can find it a better place in the area. I never did. And this place was certainly good enough. And if I ever needed something done quick or really really had to drop something off like JUST after they closed they were cool with me… those one or two times really mattered for me… a few worn albeit comfy tee shirts and undergarments… not a big deal in the long run. If you’re got designer stuff. maybe find another place or wash it yourself.

No way to file a complaint, no hot water, no signage that the boiler is broken. Most machines are out of order or moldy. Extremely disappointing facility. Staff is doing what they can do but this place has to be a sham. Keep promising myself I won’t come here anymore. This time is final.

I have lived in the neighborhood for 2 years now and usually come to this laundry mat. This is the last time I will be bringing my cloths here!!! They have 18 washers in this laundry mat. At least 6 of the machines are out of service, 8 of the machines don’t work properly (you have to use twice as much detergent to get your cloths cleaned because the water comes in as a little trickle). Most of the machines can only be operated on one setting (cold). Be careful putting your quarters in cause some of the machines take your quarters and others just won’t start with out popping the lid and starting the machine manually. Now the dryers. They have 16 dryers, but 7 of the dryers are out of service and the rest require at least $ 2 per load to get your cloths dry. There are 3 people that usually work this laundry mat. Two females and a male. I would never drop my cloths off to be cleaned here. The things that I have seen them do while washing/​drying other people’s cloths is disgusting enough that I would NEVER use their drop off service!!! This laundry mat is managed very poorly and the short fat Spanish lady (employee) is so rude and nasty it make me wonder how this place is still in business. I’m just going to have to get use to walking an extra block or two to the next laundry mat cause this one isan’t properly run!!! Do yourself a favor and waste your time or money at this place!!! I won’t be coming back to this ghetto laundry mat!!! The 2 stars are solely because there is a slim older Spanish lady that works there and she is the sweetest. Always helpful, polite, respectful and friendly!!! The ONLY good thing about this place!!!

DO NOT USE
They LOST my $ 250 down blanket from The Company Store. It has been 6 weeks since I originally walked into the store and tried to pick up my blanket, they couldn’t find it and said they would delivered it later in the day. Initially they thought it was at another store, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Finally, I was told they lost it and would pay for a replacement. Today I walked in with a receipt for a significantly less expensive (machine wash primaloft) blanket ($ 155.95). I was told they would only pay $ 100, because I have to account for depreciation — they don’t seem to realize that I HAD to buy a NEW one —- it’s replacement cost — depreciation is not a factor. BTW the back of their receipt is blank, no disclaimers, disclosures on pick up (regardless my initial conversation was within 30 days — they tried to go by today and stated its been over 2 months!). I will sue them, file complaints and spread the word, call immigration and the IRS before I settle for $ 100. Go across the street.

We’ve been using Aphrodite Cleaners for several months now, it is a hidden gem in this neighborhood! Before a neighbor told us about it, we moved from one cleaner to another not finding a good fit. Aphrodite cleaners are efficient, organized and very friendly. As soon as they pick up the phone, they know our name, address, and our washing preference. It’s all in their computer system. You say it once, they remember. We usually get our stuff back on the same day, unless they are super busy that day. Their pick-​up/​delivery person is super nice and friendly too! Really nice people. Highly recommend!

I have had the luxury of having a washer and dryer either in my apartment building or, for a very special year when I lived on the Upper West Side, inside of my apartment. Upon moving from WaHi to Inwood, I saw the giant pile of laundry I had on moving day. I said, «I’ll wash this all really quick.» That soon changed to, «I’ll take it down to my beau’s parents’ apartment and use their washer and dryer.» It soon became, «Nuts to that. I’m having someone else to this for me.» I dragged 53 pounds of dirty laundry and clothes that had been in my drawers and closet for too long for a nice hot bath at Aphrodite Cleaners.
$ 1.27 a pound and worth every penny spent!
Granted, I’ll likely never pay for wash and fold service again unless I’m in a desperate situation such as this past moving day. Still, I’m thankful and was happy to receive all of my clothing washed, folded, crisp, and smelling absolutely amazing.
Large and bright with many washers and dryers as well, I’d definitely recommend this laundromat for anyone in this neighborhood, whether you do it yourself or pawn it off for a bit of a higher price.