The City Of Dirty Socks

Recession widens, detergent makers hardest hit:

Higher fuel and water prices mean the cost of a load of wash is spinning out of control for the city’s cash-strapped residents.

“We try to wash a lot of the clothing in the sink at home,” said Bianca Vaugean, 14, a Harlem ninth-grader who does all the laundry for her family of seven.

The family’s dishes had to share sink space after the price on the large washing machines at the 134th St. laundromat jumped from $3.25 to $5.25, she said.

City residents also report skipping washes and cramming the machines to get the most bang for their buck.

“I saw the price on the large dryer go up two dollars last week and I was shocked,” said Mary Ann Hart, 33, at a Bay Ridge laundromat at 79th St. and Third Ave. “I am going to have to stretch our usage from every week to every other week.”

Laundromats are taking a beating because of rising utility costs, said a trade expert.

“There isn’t another small business that has been hit as hard as the Laundromat,” said Brian Wallace, president of the Coin Laundry Association. “Costs are trickling down to the people in the poorer neighborhoods who can least afford it.”

During the last month, rates have been steadily bubbling up citywide — jumping as much as 40%.