PLATTSBURGH -- A local laundromat's new washing machines are just part of its owners' efforts to be environmentally responsible.

Michael and Isabel Racine, owners of the WashLand laundry-mat, recently installed 20 new Maytag front-loading washing machines at the 10 Weed St. business. They use 13 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 gallons for the former top-load machines.

"The biggest reason I bought them is because they are green-friendly," he said.

It was a big investment, Michael said, about $28,000.

"The old washers still had 10 to 15 years of life expectancy. I wanted to put in new technology," he said.

Michael said the new machines also save electricity and clean clothes better. That's because clothes are lifted and then tumble back into the water, rather than simply spinning around an agitator.

"These are a much better design for washing," he said.

The high spin rates of the machines remove more water in the spin cycle, so customers can also save money with shorter drying times, Michael said.

He will be able to hold his prices steady because the new machines are so efficient.

Every Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday, where washing machine prices drop from $2 to $1.

"I use it as a loss leader, so people can come in and give us a try." Michael said.

The promotion is in effect every day through the end of October, to promote the new machines.

Michael bought the laundromat in 1987, and eventually rebuilt the old, run-down plywood building. That was destroyed by fire in February 1996.

That allowed him the chance to build a new, state-of-the-art facility.

"I studied laundromats all over the United States," he said.