Washateria is an alternate name for Laundromat, especially in Texas where the
first of it’s kind opened in Fort Worth by Noah Brannen. Though steam-powered
laundry machines were invented in the 19th century, their cost put them out of
reach of many. Brennan and others began renting short-term use of their
machines. Today,most Laundromats and washaterias in the US are fully
automated, coin-operated and generally unmanned, with some operating
24 hours a day.