These Guys Just DIY'd a Way to Do Laundry for the Homeless

Lucas Patchett (second from left) and Nic Marchesi (second from right) pose with their mobile laundry van and some volunteers. (Photo: Instagram/Orange Sky Laundry)

When it comes to helping the homeless, providing food and shelter usually takes precedence. After all, that’s what those living on the street need most, right? But there are lots of other basics that the homeless are without. While the rest of us get to put on clean clothes every morning, for example, those who are homeless – and don’t usually have access to laundry facilities – can’t.

Patchett during the beginning phase of building out the pilot van. (Photo: Facebook/Orange Sky Laundry)

Enter Lucas Patchett and Nicholas Marchesi, who are looking to change that for the homeless population in Brisbane, Australia. In July, the friends launched Orange Sky Laundry, Australia’s first mobile laundry service focused on providing homeless people with access to free washing and drying facilities. And they’re not using the term “mobile” loosely. The guys rigged up a van to hold two washers and dryers that can handle more than 44 pounds of laundry at a time – usually the clothing (and blankets and bedding if they have any) of about 10 people – via a process that takes about an hour.

Marchesi and the mobile laundry van in action. (Photo: Instagram/Orange Sky Laundry)

Patchett and Marchesi (who were not available for comment) have thought of just about everything to make the process a smooth one, with volunteers washing each person’s laundry in a different color linen bag in order to wash multiple people’s clothes at the same time, while not getting items mixed up. They’re also in the process of partnering with food vans so that those they’re helping can have a meal while their items are being washed.

Two clients ready with their laundry. (Photo: Instagram/Orange Sky Laundry)

As for the question you’re probably wondering – How do they get water and power, anyway? – for now the van is towing a generator for power and relying on parks and local businesses for water, but the organization is still in its pilot phase so that system could change. Orange Sky’s goal is to have a fleet of larger trucks to hold six washers and dryers eventually and serve much more of the country, according to its website (a feat that will hopefully happen sooner than later as the nonprofit gets more and more attention in the Australian media.) The outcome for now? Lots of Brisbane homeless residents are getting clothes and bedding washed for the first time in months, and Orange Sky proudly shares stories and smiles from those they’re helping on social media.

A pretty clever way to give back, huh? Want to help? Here’s how.