Ex-Con Runs Mobile Laundromat for Homeless in Philadelphia

Joe Richardson's Spin & Go service provides free laundry services to those in need.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A 45-year-old Philadelphia man named Joe Richardson, who spent 14 years in jail, is making headlines for running a mobile laundromat service called Spin & Go that provides free laundry services to the city's homeless population. Richardson came up with the idea while still incarcerated in 2010 and has been operating the service for the past several years, driving his trailer around Philadelphia to offer this much-needed service to those in need.

Why it matters

Richardson's story highlights how formerly incarcerated individuals can find meaningful ways to give back to their communities and address critical social issues like homelessness. His mobile laundromat service provides an essential service to a vulnerable population that often lacks access to basic necessities like clean clothes.

The details

Richardson's Spin & Go mobile laundromat service operates out of a trailer that he drives around Philadelphia several times a week. He offers free laundry services, including washing, drying, and folding, to the city's homeless residents. Richardson came up with the idea for the service while he was still incarcerated in 2010 and has been running it for the past several years since his release.

  • Richardson came up with the idea for Spin & Go while incarcerated in 2010.
  • Richardson has been operating the mobile laundromat service for the past several years since his release from prison.

The players

Joe Richardson

A 45-year-old Philadelphia man who spent 14 years in jail and now runs a mobile laundromat service called Spin & Go that provides free laundry services to the city's homeless population.

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What they’re saying

“I know what it's like to not have access to basic necessities like clean clothes. That's why I wanted to start this service to help people in my community who are struggling.”

— Joe Richardson (walls102.com)

The takeaway

Richardson's Spin & Go mobile laundromat service is a heartwarming example of how formerly incarcerated individuals can use their experiences to make a positive impact on their communities and address critical social issues like homelessness.