My favorite coin laundry closed down! Today was my first time trying the Highlander Laundry Center. The reviews before mine all have some truth. Here is my experience. Pros: Credit cards are accepted. They have a bill breaker machine if you need coins. There is a parking lot. Also, there are tables where you can fold your clothes & chairs if you want to wait inside. Next to a donut shop. Cons: The business owner was not there, nobody to supervise the business. Most of the machines were "out of service". The cost of the machines was a little high compared to other places around. Overall, I can see myself coming back here for small things such as washing linens. read more

Went to this laundromat for the first and last time I'm glad they had a parking lot, but that's the only plus. The interior is dingy as hell Website said machines take tap pay, etc. but the payment system was broken/down for MOST machines The dryers were all broken; we had to take all of our wet laundry to a different laundromat to dry read more

This used to be a really good wash house. Now a lot of the machines don't work, even worse they take your money and still don't work. Non working machines that aren't posted as not working is pretty unacceptable for this type of business. It's not just a 1 or 2 times type of thing either... the change machine doesn't always give you correct change either. If I put $5 or $10 is I would expect the right change in return so I could use it at your establishment... also, there's always homeless in here, some taking a bath in the random sink they have. I mean whatever but it definitely adds to the overall downhill trajectory of this laundromat. I used to really like coming here. But, unfortunately it's just worth it to find somewhere better. read more

This Place Is DIRTY DIRTY... Machine Never Clean...STINK UP MY CLOTHES UP... The smell from the dryer make your clothes smell Very bad like BURNT Something MAKE MY SKIN ITCH... DONT COME!! SO SAD... my dad taught me how to do laundry here when I was a kid!!! I hope they buy new machine or BLEACH THE MACHINE & CLEAN THE VENT read more

I like coming to this laundromat, I've been to many in Berkeley and Oakland but this one washes my clothes well enough. My only problem is that I use my debit to wash, (you know to avoid having to go to a bank and withdraw cash) I went on Sunday, for 1 giant wash, the cost is $7.00 Why was I charged $20 ? Are you deliberately stealing from me ? No laundry machine in that joint is $20 bucks No lie this has happened before, they over charged me double but I was like it must have been a glitch. You know, no big deal. But this is getting out of hand. Maybe just stick to uSIng quarters cause there is no way to avoid the overpayment once you swipe. So sad that this happened. Aside from them taking my hard earned money, it would be a great place to wash. Clean, and always has open machines that work. The dryers so-so. But hey you can't win them all. read more

Highlander Laundry Center - Over charging - Laundromat Near Me - Albany, California

I really like this laundromat. For the most part it is clean and the owner is readily available when you call the listed phone number. My only issue for not giving 5 stars is that I have used my credit card twice. The first time I used my card to cover $2.50 and a pending charged of $20 was showing on my account for about 3 days, then the actual charge that went through was for the correct amount of $2.50. The second time I charged $3.00 and a pending charge of $20 showed on my account for an entire week before the correct amount of $3.00 actual went through. I don't know why the laundry mat automatically submits a pending charge for $20. I don't like this because I then have to monitor my account to ensure the correct amount is charged. I now go to Walgreen's and buy something to get $5 for the laundry mat. This is better than having to watch my account for laundry mat payment to clear! read more

A variety of machines from small 2.75 to large $7 washers and many one size fits most driers. Parking lot always has space available. Most machines take credit card, although they will charge you 20$ initially and then refund you the unspent amount from that an hour or two later. Counts as "car washes" for US Bank credit card business type. A few seats available, bathroom, trash and recycling. Just enough time to walk up the nearby hill for the sunset view if you time it right while washing. read more

Highlander Laundry Center - Credit card payable washer - Laundromat Near Me - Albany, California

I've been going here years mainly because the previous place I went to that offered wash and fold service kept loosing my clothes. I Intially liked this place because it had machines that accepted cards. They always had some machine that were broken but over the last year more and more machines break down and they don't seem to get repaired. I m here now and there are only 3 machines that accept cards that are working, one is being used and the other one has clothes sitting in it. I'm literally sitting here with a basket full of wet clothes waiting for one of the 3 machines to become available. Whoever owns this place is rarely here and cannot be reached by phone. Laundeymats in general are challenging but unless you have a readily available cash all the time I'd look elsewhere. read more

Clean and tidy, absolute surprise and not too busy at all. Washing machines run from $2.25 to $7, dryers are usual 6mins for $.25. Overall very neatly maintained laundry by far, even the area where you add detergent is neat which was surprising to me! Here and there some machines were broken but really that didn't bother me as there were plenty of working ones available. I did enough quarters so I didn't try the credit card option but they do have that just in case needed. If you are driving there are lots of shopping areas in less than a mile. I kicked off my washing and ran to sprouts, did some grocery shopping. Came back and threw clothes in dryer for 15-20 mins and in no time I was done. Time well spent! read more

There's one reason I go here: Highlander takes cards, so if you don't like fiddling with quarters, you don't have to. Unfortunately, it isn't open 24 hours. But the real advantage is its proximity to something to do while you wait for your clothes to wash or dry. It's right next to Happy Donuts, Round Table Pizza, and even a Cajun restaurant. A block away is the Ivy Room. Across the street is Sam's Log Cabin. Laundry can be pretty boring, so it's nice to have something to do while you wait. read more

Moved to a place where the washer and dryer do not work so had to search for another laundromat. A really daunting task! Found this and figured I'd give it a try since they take credit cards and I don't know my quarter supply. Pros: 1) Washers and dryers that take credit cards or coins 2) Price for the washer ranged from $2.00 (small machine that took only coins) to $5.50 (larger machines that took both credit cards and coins). There are also washers of medium size that are about $3.50 (quarters and credit cards). 3) Open area 4) Change machine 5) BATHROOM! No soap but it was clean, working, and had toilet paper. 6) Seats. Not comfy but there. 7) Location! Close to Happy Donuts, Vietnamese restaurant, police station, nail salon, Round Table Pizza, and the restaurants and shops at the San Pablo Avenue/Solano Avenue intersection 8) Dryers were $0.25 per 6 minutes Cons: 1) No attendant so if there is a problem, you cannot talk to someone. There is a phone number posted but who knows if that works. 2) I couldn't find a dryer that allowed me access to the lint catcher. I hope they clean it daily or more times a day. 3) About 10 machines were broken. I don't know how quickly they fix machines but hopefully I always have a working machine! Aside from that, everything seemed fine. No one else was there so it was a bit eerily quiet. Some people came in but only 2 did laundry and the others were ther to use the change machine. Overall, satisfied and I hope my experiences are just as positive. read more

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I just left I used my credit card for ONE load and it charged me $20 bucks for ONE load that's not cool at all, machine said $5 I hope management reaches out to me and clears this situation up not a happy washer $20 bucks one load read more

I used this laundromat last night and this morning I've checked my online banking - and find that my debit card has been charged TWENTY DOLLARS for using a washing machine!!!! What??!! There is no attendant and no one answers the posted phone number. Now I must wait a DAY for this to process through my bank before I can dispute the charge. This is my first time using a laundromat since college 25 years ago. I won't be using my card here again. If the owner happens to read and receive this, please contact me at the attached email address. Thanks! read more

Nice place, clean, new machines that work. Came on a Sunday around 4 when other places are a zoo and it was quiet with plenty of parking. Pizza, pet food, nail salon, community acupuncture and... donuts! all in the same little shopping center. By far the best laundromat in the area and I have tried them all. Will be returning on a regular basis. read more

This laundromat reminds me of the blissful peace (or at least lack of excitement) of suburbia. Nestled in shopping center with a Round Table, donut shop, and vet, there aren't a lot of sketchy folks you would expect to find at a shopping center on this street. Perhaps the proximity of the Albany police department plays a factor? Plenty of washers, dryers, and high efficiency machines to choose from. The place is maintained well and yes, someone in the area has a wifi signal that extends to the laundromat. Hooray! There's an old poster of Roseanne Barr that always caught my attention when I went in. How many years has it been there? It's little things like that that remind me of how timeless a chore laundry truly is. read more

So I first started coming here after I moved back to the Bay Area; this was my first laundromat experience, ever, unless you count living in the college dorms. The first couple months I came here, it seemed like nothing special. There are plenty of washing machines (about 30) and almost always enough dryers (about 30), and the screaming kid quotient is low. Then, one glorious Sunday afternoon, I decided to bring my laptop so that I could watch my downloaded episode of The Office and lo and behold... there's a wireless network here. Good bye grad school readings, hello 60 minutes of blissful procrastination. "publicnetwork," where ever you are... thank you. read more

This laundromat is near my job and I am an early morning employee. So I can do a couple of loads during lunch. The owner has replaced many of the washers and dryers. I love that there is a variety for load sizes from top loaders to the big ones for 4 load capacity. Prices are fair. Kept tidy and the owner does respond to any emergency. He lives nearby, just call the number. I have never had a problem using a credit card for payment, but I use a preloaded debit card for laundry and gas transactions. read more

This laundromat is unsafe. I came by to do laundry during the middle of the day and there was a homeless person locked in the bathroom screaming to himself. I called the emergency phone number listed inside, and no one picked up. I left a message with my phone number and no one called back, nor did anyone come by to make sure everything was okay. The homeless man finally left the bathroom and started screaming at me and the one other woman that were inside. I was about to call 911, but fortunately the homeless man left on his own. I really like this laundromat, but from now on I'll be taking my business elsewhere. read more

Went In highlander Laundry thinking I was gonna pay five dollars to wash my clothes ended up having to get charged $20 on my card and never got refunded back read more

Wow. I wish I would have Yelped this business first. Please please do not use your credit cards here, everyone. I just got off with my bank about them unethically double-charging my charge as well. Can't believe I'm seeing similar complaints from June, last year, and 2012. Please do not use their card machines or prepare to be overcharged. If you have no choice but to go here, use only coins...YELP--PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BUSINESS. I knew it was too good to be true. Otherwise, the place wasn't very busy and the physical environment was quite clean. One thing though--the insides of the medium and large washers could have been better maintained/wiped down. I realized after the fact there was mold inside all, though it wasn't too extreme. read more

Just there Sunday Feb 2009 and it was a zoo. I was sorting clothing in front of large loading washer and a woman jumped ahead of me. A few of the washers were broken and more of the dryers, but at least they were labeled. No attendent is there. I decided to leave because the people we're rude and I knew there was going to be a dryer fight. There is only one school desk and a handful of chairs. The regular size washers are $2 and the larger are $4.25 and $5.50(60lb), so it wasn't a great deal. On the other hand it was clean and too many laundry places are filthy in the East Bay. I recommend going to San Francisco to Brainwash, and haven't found a similar place to eat, drink, work on my computer via wifi, and sit. read more

This is a great laundromat. I come here now since the one on Solano sucks. This place always has change. It even has a restroom! The dryer and washer works. If they don't then they have a note on it. I love this place because it's clean, consistent, and right next to a pet store. I saw other yelpers complain about the credit card. I used my credit card the first time I went here. It turns out that they charge a flat rate of $20 and then reimburse you at the end of the day. I just use quarters now. Also there was a man working who informed me about this. read more

Lots of washers, lots of dryers, plenty of seating indoors and out depending on your mood and the weather. What more could you want from a laundromat? It's in a safe neighborhood, so you'll feel plenty confident about starting your wash and running off to Round Table Pizza for dinner or up to Happy Donuts for a snack. read more

This laundromat was clean, well maintained and the woman running it was super nice! Very helpful!! Will go back.

Great great great laundromat! Quiet, clean, spacious, and they take credit cards. Can't beat it with a stick! My spot and will be until I move from Berkeley. read more

We've been going here for over 30 years with no issue. Last Monday, we washed several loads of in the large washer next to the bathroom. EVERYTHING now has a strong, fishy, smell that does not wash out and spreads to other clothes! We have now spent at least $100 trying to salvage the load to no avail. That machine needs to be taken apart and disinfected. And, patrons should be mindful of what they are washing in shared machines. read more

I had awful experiences twice with this laundry room. The first time when i was using the big wash machine, the machine was leaky very badly. I called the owner multiple times and finally he came and very reluctantly let me wash my stuff with another machine. The second time, I was using one of small wash machines, and I was standing there looking during the washing. I couldn't see even one extra drop of water during the wash, I thought it might be better during the rinse, but there was no even one extra drop of water either during the rinse. How can you get your everything cleaned up if your clothes were just barely wet and you don't see even one extra drop of water at all? I called owner and he surely wasn't happy and told me that I should try other laundry rooms. I certainly will try others to see if all laundry rooms adjusted their machine's water level so low that you don't even see the water at all. The owner should not make customer's money this way. read more

After using Solano Cleaning Center for years I finally got fed up with the broken down large capacity washers and paucity of hot water, and went looking for a new laundromat. When I walked into the Highlander at 6:00 AM and had the place to myself. I thought maybe I hit the jackpot... cleaner than some restaurants I have eaten at, spacious, and with lots of late model high capacity washers, but the real test would be the hot water. I loaded up one washer, hit the hot water setting and pushed in the quarters. Bam! the water came out hot and plentiful! The wash cycle had plenty of water, the rinse cycle removed all traces of detergent (no suds on the window at the end) and spin cycle was vigorous. The large dryers were efficient and dried a big load of jeans and heavy cotton shirts for $1.50. An added bonus, the young woman distributing Watchtower pamphlets was quite pretty. read more

Horrible. Half the machines are broken. Card readers don't work. To top it all off the dryer ate at least $2 worth of my quarters. I added to the machine, and it gave me 6 minutes of drying time. And the lower dryer never would turn on but it sure did take my money. Never again will I come here. The ONLY upside is that all the other patrons here are very nice (if equally frustrated). read more

Here's the deal, they have many washing machines and dryers which is great. The only problem is the some of the customers, they tend to do things like use all the family sized washers regardless of who is in there. I get first come first served, but that's just inconsiderate especially for non family sized loads. Other than that prices are fair and the hours are convenient. Parking can be tricky but the spaces turn over fairly quickly. read more

Fraud! The washing machine first said my America express card is invalid to made me to pay with another card, but I am charged on both card! Well, I have to call to report you are stealing money. read more