Dirleton Laundry Case

Dirleton Laundry Suitcase

There has been a Washing House in Dirleton as far back as 1799. By the later 19th century there were washing houses attached to large houses and groups of cottages shared washing houses. In 1913 the Turbyne family bought the former schoolhouse in Dirleton and set up a laundry. At its peak it had 400 customers, including large country houses, hotels and many private houses. By 1973 domestic washing machines and laundrettes became more available and Dirleton Laundry ceased trading. The laundry building became a popular gallery and café before finally closing in 2018.

This suitcase was used by Dirleton Laundry to collect dirty washing and return washed and ironed laundry to customers.
© Photographs Judith Booth

This marking machine was used to print a unique number on laundry items, ensuring that laundry was returned to the correct address.