A Guide to Using On-Site Laundry Facilities in College

As a college student, you must tackle the task of doing your laundry each week. Since you can get very busy, it is important to set aside time to do this as often as possible. Here is a guide to using on-site laundry facilities in college if you are new to doing your laundry or unfamiliar with college laundry facilities.

Laundry Supplies

Before you can do your first load, you must purchase all your supplies! Here is a comprehensive list of items to prepare you for this weekly task:

• Laundry detergent
• Dryer sheets
• Laundry basket or bag
• Fabric softener
• Drying rack
• Money (coins, cash, or card)

Follow Basic Etiquette

You must follow a few etiquette rules in a community laundry facility:

• Respect your neighbors, as this is a shared space that everyone accesses.
• Bring detergent and supplies—even though it is a communal space, you should always have supplies that only you own.
• Don’t touch someone else’s laundry. While waiting for a machine to open can be frustrating, you should never remove other people’s clothes from the washer or dryer.
• Empty the lint trap after using the dryer. A trap full of lint can be a serious safety hazard, so be sure to remove any lint after your clothes are dry.
• Don’t leave your clothes in the machine for an extended time. Set a timer to help you remember when your clothes are clean and promptly switch or remove your clothes.

Know Your Payment System

Come prepared with the proper payment. While some college laundry rooms still take cash or coins, many will use a digital payment system attached to your student ID. Be sure you have enough money to do a full load of laundry—which includes washing and drying your clothes.

Laundry Steps To Know

Step 1. Sort Your Clothes

Be sure to sort your clothes according to color. You don’t want to mix your whites with dark jeans!

Step 2. Put Your Clothes in the Washer

Put one of your color piles in the washing machine and add your detergent according to the directions. You can typically throw your detergent pod in with your clothes or place it in its designated compartment if you’re using them as opposed to liquid or powder detergent.

Step 3. Switch Your Load to the Dryer

Once your clothes have been through the wash cycle, put them in the dryer with your dryer sheets or dryer balls. Be sure to remove and hang any clothes that must air or drip dry.

Step 4. Remove and Fold

Now that your clothes are clean, remove, fold, and put them away promptly so they don’t pile up. Repeat this process for each of your clothing piles.

After following this guide to using on-site laundry facilities in college, you can clean your clothes with confidence. Community laundry facilities have many benefits; enjoy them as a perk for being a college student! Washing your clothes without having to maintain the laundry machines saves you money and time. Good luck with your studies!

Image By: Pixel-Shot