Did you ever have to live without a washer and dryer? If you haven’t, let me tell you, it’s no fun. You either have to wash things in the sink or waste time going to the laundromat. It can be tough living life without a washer and dryer at home.
So if you’re one of the unfortunate ones without access to a washer and dryer in your home and have to go to the laundromat, a few simple tips and tricks can make the annoying chore a little less of a hassle. The absence of these appliances may seem like a pain, but if you get a system down it will take you less time and have a smaller impact on your life.
So if you find yourself regularly using the laundromat, use these tips and tricks to make your trip less painful:
Before you go
1. Set a schedule. Choose which day (or days) you want to have as laundry day and keep that day dedicated each week for the laundry chore. Determine if you want to tackle a large amount of laundry at one time or if you prefer to wash one small load on a more frequent basis. I highly recommend going on a week day if possible because it will be less crowded. Also, if you have the chance to go in the morning or early afternoon, you will probably miss the crowds too.
2. Sort your laundry at home. To save you time being at the laundromat, it’s best to sort your laundry at home. That way when you get, your clothes are already sorted and you can just toss them right in the washer. Do you wash some items in linen bags? Prep your linen bags at home as well so you don’t have to sort through the laundry to find those items to stuff into bags either. Looking for a good laundry sorter? Try one of these!
3. Empty all your pockets. Clean out all shirt and pants pockets. It’s easy to wash things left behind in your pockets. Doing laundry is a necessary task and everyone wants to get it done as quickly as possible, but forgetting a pen in your pocket can not only ruin that one shirt, but can stain your entire load of laundry. Not to mention, phones, ipods, headphones, etc. do not fare well once they’ve gone through the wash.
4. Pre-treat at home. If you have any items that need to be treated for stains, it’s best to do that treatment at home. Not only will it save you time, but it’s also one less bottle you will have to take with you.
5. Find a quality laundromat. Finding a quality laundromat is key. The Clothes Spin is a clean and organized laundromat not only offers four different sized washers and dryers, but also provides free wifi! Another great thing about this 24/7 laundromat in Madison Heights is that they have an app you can pay with to wash your laundry so you don’t have to carry a bunch of coins with you!
6. Come prepared. If you bring your own laundry detergent, softener, etc. it will not only save you time, but also money. Pod detergents are great for when you have to go to the laundromat so you don’t have to carry around a heavy soap bottle. Just put however many pods you’ll need in a small ziploc bag and you’re good to go.
7. Don’t forget your quarters. Get rolls of quarters and have them ready to take with you. Sure you can get quarters from the change machine at the laundromat, but it’s just easier and saves you time if you don’t have to add that task to your laundry endeavors.
At The Laundromat
8. Smell the washers. Before you toss your clothes into the washer, it’s best to smell the washer first. If the washer smells like bleach, you may want to pick a different washer or at least avoid putting your darks in that washer before you end up with some acid wash looking jeans. Found a stinking washer? Choose a different one or your clothes could come out smelling like that foul odor.
9. Always check the settings. Remember that whoever did laundry before you might have the settings on a small load, hot water, etc. Check the dials each and every time and always adjust the settings to your laundry load.
10. Bring something to do. Let’s face it, washing laundry is boring. Nobody wants to sit there and watch their shirts and socks spin around in circles. You may be tempted to just throw your clothes into the washer and leave, which is ok, but you have to remember to be courteous of others. Be back before your washer or dryer stops. No one wants to sit and wait for a washer or dryer to open up. Also, you never know, you might just come back to an empty washer and all of your clothes are nowhere to be found. A good book, small video game or watching a video on your phone is the best way to stay entertained and keep your clothes guarded at the same time.
Doing laundry is never a fun chore and always seems like a never ending task. Following these pre-planning tips can make your visit to the laundromat easier and save you time!
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