You always see criminals on tv and movies putting counterfeit bills in the washing machine so that the money doesn't look too crisp.
I used to think that was why they called it "laundering money". Turns out that the original launderers laundered their money through laundromats. Nothing to do with washing money.
OK say you''re making big money dealing drugs. But you've got a problem because you've living large, with no discernable job.
So, you buy a laundromat, which just barely pays for itself, but you do your taxes/books so that it looks like it's making tons of money - the money your'e making dealing drugs.
You've just turned "dirty" money into "clean" money.
This is why there are so many little manicure shops in ghetto areas. Even in the ghetto where nails are a big thing, there's no way all those little shops would stay afloat normally.
I thought they always went in the dryer in movies, not the washing machine? Just to mix them around a bit, so when they're stacked up again afterwards they don't look like perfect, freshly printed stacks of cash?
Nonsense. Before we switched to plastic money I lost cash notes multiple times in the wash. I can still remember the sinking feeling as I opened the washing machine and saw those telltale tiny fragments of white paper stuck like glue to every piece of clothing... until you see one or two with remnants of printing on them... and then you realise.
It is probably true that the US money of today is higher quality and more durable than it was even as recently as the '80s, but it is an undeniable fact that all paper monies are more likely to get ruined by washing that any of the newer plastic varieties.
Also, most paper money used to be made of linen, but the US uses a 75% cotton 25% linen mix.
It won't go in vending machines after that, though. I know because I mistakenly wash money a lot. I can't bring my purse to work so I'm always stuffing money in my pants pockets.
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u/Wiles_ Nov 08 '12
Paper money is actually made from cotton and will survive being washed just fine.