8 Laundromat Tips to Follow Before You Go

Using a laundromat or a communal laundry facility in apartments or dorms is an essential, though often inconvenient, task everyone faces at some point. However, there are ways to make these trips quicker, safer, more efficient, and even less costly. Follow these top laundromat tips for the best results.

Sorting your laundry at home saves you time and gives you more space than at the laundromat. You’ll arrive feeling organized and ready to grab machines and start your loads right away.

Use pillowcases or different colored laundry bags for sorted white and dark clothes.

Another way to save time is to have plenty of the right change. Change machines might be broken, and fellow users may not have spare change. Be prepared!

You might have a favorite detergent, but the package is likely too bulky to bring to the laundromat. The single-use detergent packs sold there are often much more expensive than your regular detergent per load – so bring your own supplies.

Large containers of detergent might be cost-effective, but there's no need to carry heavy containers on each trip. For powdered detergent, scoop the right amount for each load into small, sealable plastic bags. Liquid detergents and fabric softeners can go in small plastic containers with tight lids. Bring a measuring cup for accurate dosing.

Single-dose detergents like pods are another option. Though they cost more per load, their convenience outweighs the expense, and they’re still cheaper than buying them at the laundromat.

Laundromat machines get a lot of use, so inspect them before putting your clothes in. If they’re stained, dirty, or not working properly, clean them yourself or report the issue to the manager. Not all laundromats have an attendant on duty at all times, so you might need to keep your laundry safe. Here are some key tips:

• Clean the surfaces: Make sure the washer, dryer, and table surfaces are clean before placing your clothes on them. Keep an old rag or towel and disinfectant wipes or spray for a quick wipe-down. You might find sticky detergent residue or even chlorine bleach, which can ruin your clothes permanently.
• Check for melted/leaked items: Look inside appliances for leftover items that might damage your clothes, like a tube of lipstick or a ballpoint pen. Remember to empty the pockets of your laundry.
• Remove random laundry: Leftover clothing in machines can cause problems, like a red sock bleeding onto your entire load. Remove it and leave it in the laundromat’s lost-and-found bin.
• Check the settings: Before starting the machine, make sure the settings are correct. You don’t want delicate lingerie going through a hot water heavy-duty cycle used by the previous person.
• Take a sniff test: Smell the interior of the drum. Strange or unusual odors might indicate mold or mildew, so move on to the next machine if something doesn’t smell right.
• Empty dispensers: Ensure the washer’s automatic bleach dispenser is empty and dry. Use a paper towel to soak up any leftover bleach.

Tip

The sniff test can help you detect if bleach was used in the machine.

Make sure the lint trap is clean before starting the dryer to prevent fires and ensure your clothes dry faster, which saves money.

Fluff each piece of clothing with a quick shake as you load the dryer. This helps them dry more quickly with fewer wrinkles. Ensure everything is in the dryer before you start it; opening and closing the door loses heat and time.

To keep clothes dry on the way home, bring a large black plastic bag in case of rain.

Tip

Find a warm dryer to get your clothes done more quickly.

Smartphone apps can help you find a laundromat, translate care labels, and treat stains with helpful tips. Laundromats are the perfect place to put them to use.

One must-have app is a laundry timer. You can run errands or focus on something else while your clothes are washing, and the app will notify you when the cycle ends, preventing others from dumping your clothes on the floor.

To reduce your carbon footprint at the laundromat, choose a front-loading washer over a top loader, as they use 50% less water. Always wash full loads to save money, use bio-based detergents, and opt for cold water when possible. Skip the dryer at the laundromat and air-dry your clothes at home.

The last person to use the washer or dryer may have washed items from a household with illness, athlete’s foot, or materials exposed to poison ivy, pesticides, chemicals, or bodily fluids. Regular washing usually reduces the risk of spreading germs, but extra precautions can add a layer of safety:

• Pretreat your laundry with a fabric sanitizer or add a laundry sanitizing product to your wash cycle.
• Wipe the washer door handle, door rim, and drum with a disinfectant wipe before use.
• Consider washing whites separately to use hot water and chlorine bleach for disinfection.
• Use the hottest water and dryer cycle tolerable for your laundry.

Bedbugs can be a risk at laundromats. Besides using hot water and dryer settings, follow these tips to reduce the chances of bringing bedbugs home:

• Inspect tables and appliances for unusual or moving items. Use your phone’s flashlight to check inside the drum.
• Avoid putting your laundry basket on the floor to reduce bedbug risk.
• Don’t fold laundry at the laundromat to prevent contamination from table surfaces.
• Check the pockets and folds of clothes when taking them out of the dryer. Bedbugs like to hide in small spots.
• Stay vigilant at home if you use communal laundry, keeping an eye out for bedbugs.