Doing laundry isn’t the most fun household chore. And it never will be. But, there are some ways to make laundry day a little less tedious and a little more efficient.
Our number one way of doing this is to do your laundry at a laundromat!
Laundromats might not seem like the most exciting place, but they can actually be really beneficial for your laundry routine. Here’s why:
- Time-Saving: Let’s face it, doing laundry at home can take up a lot of time. You have to sort your clothes, load and unload the machine, and wait for each cycle to finish. Plus, if you have a smaller washer and dryer at home, you might have to do multiple loads just to get through all your laundry. At a laundromat, you can use multiple machines at once and get everything done in one go.
- Larger Capacity: Most laundromats have much larger washing machines and dryers than what you have at home. This means you can wash and dry larger loads in less time, without having to worry about overloading your machine or not having enough space.
- Specialized Machines: Laundromats often have specialized machines for different types of laundry. Some may have machines specifically for delicates or heavy-duty items like comforters and blankets. This saves you from the hassle of hand-washing delicate items or trying to fit large duvets into your small washer at home.
- Extra Services: Some laundromats offer extra services like folding and ironing, which can save you even more time and effort. You can drop off your laundry and come back to pick it up all neatly folded and ready to put away.
After years of visiting facilities, we’ve found a few laundromat tips that can help make your experience, dare we say, pleasant!
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- 10 Must-Know Laundromat Tips
- 1. Pre-Sort Your Laundry
- 2. Pack All the Essentials
- 3. Know the Used “Tender”
- 4. Give the Laundry Machines A Good Inspection Inside and Out
- 5. Prioritize Loads That Require Drying
- 6. Never Leave Your Stuff Unattended
- 7. Sit and Wait (But Do It Right)
- 8. Don’t Hog Washers
- 9. Consider Folding at Home
- 10. Clean Up After Yourself
- 3 Tips for a Budget-Friendly Trip to the Laundromat
- Bonus Tip
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10 Must-Know Laundromat Tips
Here are some general tips to help you make the most out of your laundromat experience (stick around for some budgets tips later in the post):
1. Pre-Sort Your Laundry
The last thing you want to be is the person trying to sort a huge pile of dirty clothes at your local laundromat. Everything out on show for all to see.
Take a few minutes to go through the laundry at home, sorting the whites, colors, and delicates into mesh bags.
We also recommend checking the care label on each item so you know which pieces can go in the same wash cycle.
2. Pack All the Essentials
You’ll need a hamper (or even a couple of large Ikea bags) to carry your clothes to the laundromat, but that’s not all you need to bring along.
We recommend packing a small bag with:
- Laundry detergent
- Fabric softener (optional)
- Dryer sheets
- Sanitizing wipes
- Anything to keep you entertained while you wait
We know many laundromats have detergent vending machines on-site. But, the laundry products sold there tend to be overpriced, and you probably prefer to use your own tried and tested laundry detergent.
Pour a bit of detergent into a small squeeze bottle and take it with you. If you’re using a powdered product, scoop some into a plastic container or a sealable bag.
3. Know the Used “Tender”
Many laundromats use tokens that you can buy on-site. Other coin-op laundromats still have washing machines that run on quarters.
Before you head out, check the laundromat to figure out which “tender” is used. You’ll likely also find info about whether they take cash or accept credit cards only.
4. Give the Laundry Machines A Good Inspection Inside and Out
When you arrive with your pre-sorted laundry and detergent, your first instinct might be to find an empty washer and load it up. Rookie mistake!
Unfortunately, not everyone who uses a communal facility is considerate as us.
Someone might have used the washer to dye their clothes and left without cleaning the machine properly. If you use it as is, you could end up ruining your entire load.
You might even find gum stuck inside the drum or an exploded ink pen!
Make it a habit to inspect the washer inside and out before you start. Here’s a checklist to help you out with the inspection process:
- Surface: Wipe the washing machine to remove bleach/detergent residues.
- Dispensers: Make sure the dispensers are empty and clean—no leftover bleach or dye.
- Drum: Look for candy, gum, ink, lost socks, etc. inside.
- Sniff Test: Check for mustiness or bad odors.
5. Prioritize Loads That Require Drying
Maybe you need to do multiple loads, and the laundromat is busy.
In that case, it’s better to start with the items of clothing that need both a wash and dry cycle. When they’re nice and washed, you can move them to the dryer and pop another load of laundry in the washer.
6. Never Leave Your Stuff Unattended
It doesn’t matter if your laundromat has cameras. You still shouldn’t leave your stuff unattended.
Dirty laundry, detergent bottles, hampers, dryer sheets, and loyalty cards—nearly anything can get stolen from a laundromat.
7. Sit and Wait (But Do It Right)
Since you shouldn’t leave your stuff unattended, you’ll need to sit and wait for the cycle to finish.
That’s exactly why we recommended bringing something to keep you entertained earlier. A book or a podcast will help you kill time.
Just don’t be the person listening to TikTok without ear phones (you know who you are)!
You need to look where you sit. Again, people can be pretty sloppy in communal spaces. So, make sure you’re not going to sit on a bleach spill or soap residue.
8. Don’t Hog Washers
Trying to do laundry during peak hours can be difficult. Just because you came a little early and found an empty washer doesn’t mean it’s okay to hog it.
Be courteous to others and take your clothes out of the washer or dryer as soon as the cycle is done.
9. Consider Folding at Home
When laundromats are busy, the best approach is to throw your clean clothes into your laundry bag and fold them at home, where you’ll have more space and time.
If you plan on folding the load at the laundromat, wipe down the table before you put your fresh clothes on it.
10. Clean Up After Yourself
After a few trips to the laundromat, you’ll know how frustrating it is to have to clean up after sloppy people. Don’t be one of them.
The least you can do is wipe the washers/dryers and put the carts back in their place when you’re done.
3 Tips for a Budget-Friendly Trip to the Laundromat
Bringing your own laundry detergent and fabric softener is a good way to save money. But we have even more frugal laundry tips for you.
1. Shop Around and Wait Until You Have a Full Load
Going to the closest laundromat might be the most obviously choice, but it’s not always the smart choice. Take time to look for other facilities and compare prices. You might find a facility with fees so low that they justify the extra time you’ll spend on a longer trip.
Plus, you can always put off the washing until you have a full load on your hand. This way, you’ll need fewer laundromat trips, and going somewhere further but cheaper will make even more sense, budget-wise.
2. Pick a Large Washer
To make the most out of each cycle, pick a large washing machine. It’s often better to use a washer that can handle a full load in one go.
3. Ask About Loyalty Programs
Many laundromat owners offer loyalty cards to build a base of repeat customers. You’ll also benefit from these programs by saving money on each load or receiving cash-back incentives.
So, once you like a certain facility, sign up for their loyalty program.
Bonus Tip
One final word of advice? It’s possible to find a 24-hour laundromat and go late at night when the place is mostly empty, which can be perfect for those with weird work schedules who can’t go in the middle of the day. However, you’ll want to stay vigilant and pick a facility with security.
Happy washing!
