Even if you’re a seasoned pro at doing your laundry, washing your clothes at college comes with its own unique roadblocks.
Explore these tips on doing your laundry while living in a dorm so that you don’t suffer the same pitfalls as your peers.
Pick Times Strategically
You’re no longer competing with the people in your house for the washer and dryer; now, you must contend with the whole building. Just like a restaurant, laundry rooms have rush hours. On Sundays or weekday afternoons, around when classes finish up, there will be a rush for the laundry room. It might be hard to find an available machine around this time.
So, it’s helpful to find unique times in your schedule when no one else would be there. For example, if there is a weekday morning when you don’t have class, that is a great time to use the laundry, as there likely won’t be as many people there.
Know How Much Can Go in a Load
It’s likely that you’ll have to pay to use the laundry machine in your dorm. That means you’ll need to be strategic about the loads so that you don’t waste any of your money.
Every washer and dryer has a capacity, and if you exceed that limit, your clothes won’t wash or dry all the way through. That means you could drop two dollars on a load and still be left with smelly, wet clothes.
A good rule of thumb is not packing the machine more than two-thirds of the way full; this will ensure the clothes have room to move around the wash.
Keep Track of the Timer
Now that you’re competing with peers for the machines, you can’t always count on people being patient. If you run your clothes in the wash and leave them unattended, make sure you know how much time is left.
Once the load finishes, it’s not uncommon for people to remove your clothes from the machine and place them on a nearby unit or even the floor. You’re the only one that cares about what happens to your clothes, so make sure to take care of them.
Pay Attention To Any Special Instructions
The washers and dryers at universities and colleges are typically older models or commercial units. These units aren’t exactly like the ones you probably grew up with, so you need to take extra care when using them. Make sure to follow the washing instruction on your clothing, especially for garments that are made with higher-end fabrics.
other related articles of interest:
These older machines aren’t as kind to wools, silks, or elastics as newer residential machines. Additionally, separate your white clothes from the colors. The best way to launder yoga pants and leggings or other elastic items is in cold water, as it helps them retain their tension and shape. In comparison, you should leave wools out to air dry. Check the tags for all your clothes to ensure they are machine safe.
With these tips on doing your laundry while living in a dorm, you’re ready to clean your first load of dirty clothes at college!
Image Credit: Tips on Doing Your Laundry When Living in a Dorm by Adobe Stock
end of post … please share it!
GUIDE: about college scholarships
Comments