Our Mission:
To provide free laundry services for those in-need
The Hidden Crisis of Laundry Insecurity: Laundry Insecurity is not merely a matter of comfort; It is a documented public health risk. Prolonged exposure to pathogens in unwashed clothing is linked to bacterial and fungal infections, respiratory illness, immune suppression, and chronic disease exacerbation.
The Data that supports Our Mission:
Research estimates show that at least 1,000,000 North Carolinians experience Laundry Insecurity.
Chronic Immune Diversion: Persistent microbial loads in small dwellings force the immune system to become overworked, increasing susceptibility to flu, colds, and opportunistic infections.
The Laundry Insecurity Cycle: 74% of low-income and working-class families skip laundry when they can’t afford supplies; with 63% washing only their children’s clothing. The resulting infections drive missed work, increased healthcare utilization, and deeper economic instability. Clean laundry is not a luxury— it is a public health intervention.
One of the challenges faced by low-income families is the crushing cost of laundry.
Laundry expenses often exceed $2,000 per year for a typical family. When families are struggling to make ends meet, it becomes difficult for them to allocate funds for laundry services.
The term “Laundry Insecurity” describes the situation where individuals or families cannot afford to wash clothes or bedding regularly.
Highest-Risk Populations: Low-Income and ALICE households, people experiencing housing instability, individuals with diabetes or metabolic conditions, immunocompromised individuals
Disease Transmission: Inadequate access to laundry facilities is a key driver in outbreaks of Hepatitis A, which is associated wth clothes sitting in piles in enclosed areas for an extended amount of time (Network for Public Health Law, 2018)
Streptococcus bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding for over three weeks, while the influenza virus can survive for over one week. These statistics emphasize the potential risks associated with inadequate laundry practices.
Sources: Journal of Applied Microbiology (2022) · PMC/NCBI (2022) · University of Arizona / C. Gerba · Biology Insights (2025) · Rolling Out (2025) · Provision Promise/Good360 (2023–2026) · EOS-CU Blog (2024)
Our Vision:
By providing Laundry Services and resources to families in need, ULT can help alleviate the burdens faced by low-income individuals and promote their emotional, financial, and hygienic well-being.
North Carolina Financial Numbers: Low income Family’s monthly expenses.
This Chart illustrates an example of the budget numbers that a North Carolina Family Faces. Note that these numbers leave very little for savings, school supplies, clothes, and unforeseen emergency expenses.
Chronic Public School Absenteeism
…and how it is tied to Hygiene Poverty and Laundry Poverty.
86% of Public School Long Term Absenteeism is Linked to Hygiene Poverty
Hygiene Poverty is often a primary driver for long-term absenteeism among public school students, especially in middle and high school.
Roughly 1 in 6 public school students experience chronic absenteeism during their time in the public school system.
Laundry Poverty is a core component of Hygiene Poverty.
Laundry poverty is a leading factor in the hygiene poverty cycle and impact.
Laundry poverty is often the most costly, complex and labor intensive part of the larger hygiene poverty cycle.
The significant financial costs of sustaining consistent Laundry Security.
Sustaining consistent laundry security often requires the purchase and upkeep of large and expensive appliances.
Laundry security requires the ability to afford detergent consistently.
Maintaining laundry security requires consistent budgeting for costly washing/drying fees at laundromats.
Laundry security requires reliable transportation to laundromats.