Mr Masakazu Kitada likes things clean: ultra-clean. It is in his nature and in his culture.

“Call me Mas” came from Tokyo, Japan, 21 years ago to a less frenetic life for clean air, a more casual lifestyle and a new experience. But surprisingly, Tokyo/Yokohama has 6,500 people per square kilometre compared to Potts Point/Woolloomooloo’s 13,954 per square kilometre, according to the most recent ABS 2017 census.

But urban density was no problem: he moved straight into Potts Point for four years.

Mas loves the locals including (unnamed) film stars and his life as Manager of the Macleay Street Laundrette, 69 Macleay Street, Potts Point. He’s been in charge for ten years. His outlet is part of an inner-urban chain of four with a central, dedicated, Darlinghurst depot.

Each day hundreds of items are received, indexed, sorted, sent and then returned on time for dry-cleaning. Hundreds more are washed, dried and ironed by hand on-site.

It’s a whirlwind of washing that’s constantly gyrating to meet customers’ expectations and tight timetables.

With four on-site staff controlling 11 washing machines and seven dryers, everyone and everything seems to be constantly moving, all to Mas’s wide smile and jovial personality.

The most unusual item he’s cleaned was a lumpen lampshade, hand-washed and restored to as-new condition.

His staff love a challenge and their customers are considered “family”. The Japanese enjoy ancient cultural traditions and ideals which are particular to them. The ancient Shinto honne/tatemae expressions are of paramount importance. In Japanese mythology, the gods display human emotions, such as love and anger. Behaviour producing positive relations with others is rewarded and empathy, identifying oneself with another, is highly valued. Selfish and anti-social actions and attitudes are condemned: hurtful behaviour is punished.

So Japanese children learn from their very earliest days that human fulfillment comes from a close, fruitful association with others and family.

One loyal customer was surprised and delighted when he was apartment-bound and found Mas’s staff on his doorstep unannounced picking up and delivering laundry without being asked.

They clean sheets and curtains, also specialising in delicate items including children’s toys.

“Elmo,” the uber-cute Sesame Street muppett is their favourite. He needs special netting during washing to reduce strain on his stitching and receives exclusive treatment during the ‘soft’ rinse cycle.

“People are busy, with many apartments having limited washing facilities,” Mas says, noting a trend towards more time poor, professional clients over the last ten years..

The Macleay Street Laundrette is part of the Euro Star chain which this year won the Top Three, five-star award for Sydney’s best dry-cleaners.

Macleay Street  Laundrette, 69 Macleay Street, Potts Point NSW 2011 Phone 9358 2193

Hours 7:00am to 8:00pm, Sundays 9:00am to 7:00pm, public holidays 9:00am to 5:00pm

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions