When You’re Unhoused in Central Florida
Keeping your clothes clean can be difficult when you don’t have regular access to a washer, dryer, or a place to store your belongings. But being without stable housing does not mean you have to give up on personal hygiene or clean clothing.
Across Central Florida, several organizations provide free laundry services, showers, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other basic resources for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Clean clothes can make a real difference. They can help you stay comfortable in Florida’s hot and humid weather, reduce odors and skin irritation, and give you greater confidence when looking for work, attending appointments, meeting with housing programs, or simply going about your day.
Here are several places to look for free laundry assistance.
1. SALT Outreach – Mobile Showers & Laundry
SALT Outreach operates mobile outreach centers throughout Central Florida for people experiencing homelessness.
SALT’s mobile centers can provide showers, laundry, hygiene products, clothing, food, charging stations, mail services, storage, haircuts, and case management. (SALT Outreach Inc)
One advantage of SALT is that services come to different communities rather than requiring everyone to travel to downtown Orlando. Current locations listed by SALT include Orlando, Sanford, Bithlo, Apopka, Daytona Beach, Leesburg, and other Central Florida communities. Schedules vary by location. (SALT Outreach Inc)
Downtown Orlando
SALT’s Orlando mobile day service has included a laundry trailer along with showers and other basic services. The Orlando program operates multiple days each week. (SALT Outreach Inc)
SALT currently lists its Downtown Orlando Mobile Drop-in Center at:
Christian Service Center
808 W. Central Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32805
Because mobile schedules can change, check SALT’s current schedule or call before making a trip.
Phone: 1-866-237-2589
Check SALT Outreach’s current locations and schedules
2. Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida provides basic services to people experiencing homelessness, including showers and laundry.
The Coalition reports that its Community Health Initiative provides unsheltered individuals with services such as showers, laundry, hygiene supplies, and clothing. Its drop-in services are available to the public; you do not have to be a Coalition resident to access these services. (Coalition for the Homeless)
Address:
18 North Terry Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: 407-652-5300
The Coalition’s website advises visitors to check the current hours for showers and laundry because service schedules can change. (Coalition for the Homeless)
Coalition for the Homeless contact and service information
3. Samaritan Resource Center
Samaritan Resource Center is a drop-in resource center serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in East Orange County.
The center offers essential resources including showers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supplies, meals, employment assistance, case management, and help accessing benefits. (Samaritan Resource Center)
Address:
9837 E. Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32817
Phone: 407-482-0600
The center’s services can be particularly helpful if you’re looking for more than laundry. Staff can also connect people with employment, benefits, housing-related resources, and other assistance.
Orange County also lists Samaritan Resource Center as a drop-in service provider offering free showers, laundry, and hygiene kits to people experiencing homelessness. (Orange County Florida)
4. Pathways Drop-In Center
Pathways Drop-In Center at Pathlight HOME provides essential services for people experiencing homelessness who have mental health needs.
Services include:
- Laundry
- Showers
- Meals
- Case management
- Employment support
- Peer support
- Telehealth
The center is located at:
1313 30th Street
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: 407-843-5530
Pathways currently lists facility hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pathlight Home)
One important point is that Pathways is specifically designed to serve people who have experienced mental illness. If that applies to you, it can be an especially useful place to connect with laundry and other support services.
5. Laundry Love
Laundry Love is a national program that works with local communities and laundromats to make laundry accessible to people who cannot otherwise afford it.
Local Laundry Love efforts can assist with washing clothes and bedding. The program’s website has a location finder where you can search by city or ZIP code for participating locations and see the available dates, times, addresses, and contact information. (Laundry Love)
This can be a good option if you are staying outside downtown Orlando or need to find a laundry program closer to where you are currently staying.
Tips for Getting Your Laundry Washed
When you’re using free laundry services, a little preparation can make the process easier.
Call or check online before you go
Mobile outreach programs can operate on different schedules depending on the location and day. Hours and locations can also change.
Always verify the current schedule before traveling, particularly if you have to walk, take a bus, or arrange transportation.
Ask what supplies are provided
Some organizations provide laundry detergent, while others may ask you to bring your own.
If you have detergent, bring it. If you don’t, ask whether detergent is available before assuming you need to purchase some.
Bring only what you can manage
If you’re carrying your belongings with you, transporting several bags of clothing can be difficult. When possible, prioritize clothing that needs washing most urgently, such as:
- Underwear
- Socks
- Shirts
- Work clothes
- Clothing that has become wet from rain or sweat
Ask about clothing donations
If your clothing is damaged, worn out, or no longer usable, ask whether the organization has donated clothing available.
Several of these organizations provide clothing or can connect you with additional resources.
If you’re staying somewhere temporarily, ask about laundry
If you’re staying in a shelter, transitional housing program, campground, vehicle, or another temporary location, ask whether laundry facilities are available.
You may also be able to get a referral to a nearby program.
Don’t Forget About 211
If you cannot get to one of the organizations listed above, 211 can help you find additional local resources.
The Central Florida Commission on Homelessness recommends contacting 211 for people who are currently homeless and looking for assistance. Its resource system can help connect people with local services and housing resources. (CFC Homelessness)
You can also use:
When you call, explain exactly what you need. For example:
“I’m currently without stable housing and need somewhere to wash my clothes. Where is the closest free laundry service?”
You can also ask about showers, food, clothing, transportation, shelter, identification assistance, and housing resources at the same time.
Clean Clothes Are About More Than Appearance
Having clean clothes isn’t a luxury. It’s part of maintaining basic hygiene, comfort, health, and dignity.
If you’re living without stable housing, you may already be dealing with challenges that make everyday tasks harder. Finding a place to wash your clothes can remove one small but important burden.
Central Florida has organizations that understand these challenges and are there to help.
Whether you use a SALT Outreach mobile center, Coalition for the Homeless, Samaritan Resource Center, Pathways Drop-In Center, Laundry Love, or another community resource, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.
You deserve to have access to clean clothes, showers, hygiene supplies, and the resources you need while you work toward a more stable future.
Quick Resource List
| Organization | Laundry | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALT Outreach | Yes | Multiple Central Florida mobile locations | 1-866-237-2589 |
| Coalition for the Homeless | Yes | 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando | 407-652-5300 |
| Samaritan Resource Center | Yes | 9837 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando | 407-482-0600 |
| Pathways Drop-In Center | Yes | 1313 30th St., Orlando | 407-843-5530 |
| Laundry Love | Local partner programs | Varies | Check local listing |
| 211 | Referrals | Central Florida | 211 |
Important: Service availability, eligibility requirements, hours, and locations can change. Always confirm current information before traveling to a location.
