Showers & laundry when you’re homeless in Boulder.
This page is about places to get clean – showers, basic hygiene, and laundry – so you can
feel human and show up for work, court, or appointments without feeling destroyed.
Being dirty is a side effect of being outside, not a moral failure. You deserve access to water
and clean clothes like anyone else.
Showers at shelter & day services
First option
Shelters and some day services in Boulder offer showers. Times and rules change, so think in patterns:
Ask at All Roads what the current shower schedule is.
Find out if there’s a sign-up list or if it’s first-come, first-served.
Ask how long each shower slot is so you can plan your time.
Keep a small “shower kit” (travel soap, toothbrush, deodorant) ready to grab.
If you can, pack your shower kit where you can reach it quickly when they call your turn.
Homeless outreach / mobile showers
Homeless Cares & others
Some outreach groups and churches offer showers on certain days, sometimes with volunteers
helping watch bags or hand out hygiene supplies.
Ask other unhoused people which days specific groups set up.
Look for flyers or whiteboards at All Roads or day centers.
These spots sometimes also have socks, underwear, or small hygiene kits.
Take photos of signs so you remember locations and times.
Laundry options
Keeping a few outfits alive
Washing clothes can be hard without money or a machine, but there are a few paths:
Ask at shelter/day service if they ever do laundry days or have vouchers.
Some churches or outreach groups occasionally offer free laundry events.
If you use a laundromat, teaming up with someone to share a load can save money.
Air-drying clothes on a line or fence is risky – watch your stuff.
Try to keep at least one “interview/appointment” outfit if possible – even just cleaner pants and a shirt.
Hygiene triage when resources are limited
Doing what you can
When you can’t get a full shower or laundry, small things still help:
Wet wipes or a damp cloth for face, armpits, and feet.
Changing socks daily when you can to protect your feet.
Using public restrooms to wash hands and face.
If you have a tiny bottle of soap, a sink can be a mini-shower for key areas.
None of this is about “deserving respect” – you already do. It just helps your body
hold up under stress and makes some doors easier to open.
