Most blocks of 'social housing' used to have communal laundry rooms and outside drying areas. The 1900s Arts and Crafts Millbank Estate behind Tate Britain still has its outside drying lines, and Goldfinger's famous 1970s Trelick Tower in Notting Hill was designed with '..drying rooms to prevent residents hanging laundry on balconies.' The 1896 Boundary Estate in Tower Hamlets originally had '..a community laundry with 42 washing stalls, hot and cold water and a boiling compartment, along with 42 drying horses which used hot air to dry clothes.' This closed down in the 1960s, but in 1992, tenants created a Community Launderette '..because drying clothes in their flats created damp and mould.' Who knew?!
On the other hand, some councils who still have communal laundries have ageing equipment which is costly to replace, and are considering schemes to help residents get their own appliances. What with that, and replacement double-glazed windows which have comparatively poor ventilation, it's a big welcome to Mr Mould!
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