10 Tips for Washing Clothes at the Laundromat — Living without a washer and dryer sucks big time, let me tell you. First, it stinks to have to “sit with your laundry.” I have distracted myself with a couple of trips to the Dollar Store in between loads, but honestly, the appeal is wearing off quickly.
Also, for the record, I am pretty sure all of the slasher movies ever made from here on out should be made at Laundromats.
“Surviving” the laundromat is pretty much the only way to describe it. Am I being dramatic? Maybe a little, I totally get that there ARE normal people that go to the laundromat–they do not, however, seem to be going to my personal laundromat.
So, if you ever find yourself regularly using the laundromat, here are 10 tips for washing clothes at the laundromat.
Sort BEFORE you go.
The key is to get in and get out. Remember what I said about the slasher movies? Well, you don’t want to be an unwilling character in one, so the key is speed.
Strive for simplicity.
For the same reasons above, do all stain pre-treatments before you go. Also, this just means you have to carry less in with you. Lugging in the laundry is bad enough. Keep things simple by only bringing laundry, detergent {detergent tabs are even better} and dryer sheets. Bare bones, my friends, bare bones.
Choose an off-ish hour.
Now, I am not suggesting going in at 1 a.m. In fact, I would caution you against that, but being able to go in and do every load at one time {using 3-4 washers} is a real time saver. Middle of the day seems to be best…evenings after work or Saturday and Sundays are busy, though, so getting enough washers and dryers to do all the work at once is trickier.
Take the time to wipe out the washers and dryers before you use them.
Listen, I am not really a germaphobe, but you can’t be sure that that washer didn’t get used to wash a puke-stained comforter from the Frat house down the street. It’s a basic precaution.
Smell the machine before you use it.
Yep, you read that right. Gross? Yes, it really is, but you aren’t smelling it for that reason. Smell to see if someone used bleach in it the cycle before you. If so, avoid putting your darks in it. Sometimes, people go buck nuts with the bleach, and boom, next think you know, your jeans are acid washed. Not good.
Bring a large black garbage bag.
The weather can turn on you fast, and quite frankly, after stuffing $5.00 worth of quarters into a dryer, the last thing you want to do is take your freshly dried laundry out into the rain. Plus, even if it is sunny, you can always wear the garbage bag–trust me, you will fit right in.
Get rolls of quarters and have them at the ready.
Sure, you can usually get quarters at the change machine in the laundromat, but it’s just easier to have them ready to go. Remember, we want in and out. Fast, fast, fast.
Remember to check all of the settings.
Whoever did laundry before you might have turned the settings to a small load on scorching hot. Check all of the dials, each and every time you wash to make sure.
Don’t leave!
I know it is hard to just sit there while your laundry is washing, but remember leave your churning clothes unattended at your own risk. If you don’t get back in time, someone may just take the liberty of piling your clothes on top of one of the tables in order to use the machine. No one needs their unmentionables on display for all of the laundromat patrons to see.
Remember to bring a basket to bring all of your laundry home in.
The bags you hauled them in will work, but you may have a wrinkled mess by the time you get home. I like to stash a basket in the back of the car, and then, when it is time, quickly fold the laundry and drape the hang-up clothing over the top.
Any of you seasoned laundromat pros out there? What are your tips for surviving the laundromat?
~Mavis
Looking for more ways to save time and money? Check more Money Saving Tips HERE.
lynne says
When my husband & I were first dating, we were both renters, and the Laundromat was “Date Night”…got to know each other pretty well, and it must’ve worked…we’ve been married 23 years :-).
Mavis says
Love this! 23 years is awesomesauce!
Tammy says
That’s sweet 🙂
Wendy says
Me too. My future husband and I had a laundry night date every week too. My mother was a real prude and made me swear I didn’t see his underwear (I was 34 years old, LOL) I swore I didn’t see them although they were the only items he let me fold.
mary says
my dryer is broken and parts are on order so i’ll be heading to the Laundromat this week – not looking forward to it – I had already determined to pre-treat and sort before going but appreciate the reminders. Also, have my quarters ready and plan on taking only essentials like detergent and dryer sheets – thanks for the tips Mavis. Always enjoy your blogs – keep up the good work!
Mavis says
Glad to help!
Sarah W. says
We’re temporarily living in an apartment while our house undergoes a total to-the-studs gut renovation. I’ve perfected my system over the past 6 weeks and actually love it. Tuesday’s are my laundry day in fact and today I told my husband I wish we could afford to just keep going to the laundromat once our house is done.
I found a laundromat near the apartment that is safe and clean and opens at 7 a.m. I sort and “measure” my clothes into loads the night before–one of our laundry baskets is about the size of the washer tub–I put each load into a kitchen size garbage bag (that’ll get reused.) I get to the laundromat at 7 a.m., toss a bag (today I had 9) in front of each machine to “stake my claim” and, as you said, get to inspecting the tubs, adding detergent, loading quarters and tossing in the clothes.
Our apartment is only about a five minute drive from the laundromat and I’ve got to get home quickly so my husband can get to work and I can take over watching our littles. I don’t do any hanging or folding at the ‘mat. I throw all the clean clothes into three big ikea reusable bags and do the rest of the work at home.
Today, I was only at the laundromat for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Everything got put away and I don’t have to think about laundry for another week. So efficient! Everyone I talk to about my new found love of the laundromat thinks I’m crazy, but as a mom of a 2 and 5 year old, that one hour of quiet solitude and efficient use of my time is appreciated.
Mavis says
Your system sounds awesome. So glad you found a nice clean laundromat to use! Makes all the difference, I suspect!
Cindy says
I agree with you with. I have a full time job and twin 2-year-old girls, plus a husband and a dog. I recently started taking “excess” laundry to the Laundromat on the weekends because I couldn’t keep up with the wash using the washer and dryer at home. I love it! I usually just take things like sheets, blankets, towels, etc. and wash our clothes at home. It’s a big help for me and reduces my stress because I don’t have to look at mountains of laundry that I don’t feel like I’ll ever get to!
Lace Faerie says
When I had three under age 5, I used to beg anyone who asked what I wanted for any gift giving event was a second dryer!!! They always chuckled and commiserated but, sadly, no one ever coughed up the second dryer! Hahaha Seriously tho’, it’s always the drying of things that used to take the longest. Now, most of my wardrobe, except for socks and undies, finish drying on hangers after a quick 10 minute tumble to take the wrinkles out. Makes my clothes last longer and stay the same size and it uses less propane (in my gas dryer). My hubbies jeans, towels and bedding are still a time suck.
Lynda Rees Kling says
Hang it all up to dry…. I use clothes racks inside…
Kathy says
My son is a full time college student who also works full time and has done his own laundry since he was 15. We live in an apartment, no 220 lines so we have to use facilities here or go to laundromat. He takes homework with him to kill time and seems to get better results then if he did it at home. Me, I use here at home, stay with it while in the washer then dash back for 40 minites to power clean while things are in the dryer, at 6 AM. I’m up early so why not? Pretreat before is a wonderful thing, as is using vinegar as fabric softener. If only people here would empty lint trap when they are done with the dryers!
Practical Parsimony says
I would be afraid to go home for 40 minutes, just fearing my clothes would be stolen. I think I would clean my car while at the laundry. Or read. Polish the silver. Do my nails.
Cheryl says
I used to clean my car out while at the laundrymat. It was also the perfect time to to read emails and go on FB.
Madam Chow says
A bodyguard would be nice. Thirty-odd years ago, I was in the laundromat when I looked – just looked – at a machine being used b a crazy lady. She started screaming at me and threatened to beat me up, and everyone just watched.
Mavis says
Tell me you bolted out of there fast!
Crystal says
Honestly, this post is rather offensive. I have lived in an apartment for 6 years without a washer/dryer and have to use the laundromat. And your descriptions of the other laundromat patrons is rude and demeaning. Not everyone has the money for a single family home, and not all apartments come with washer/dryer.
Madam Chow says
Telling the truth is rude and demeaning? I used a laundromat for many years, and while there were many decent, kind people, there were also a disproportionate number of very scary, disturbed people.
Crystal says
I have encountered no greater population of scary, disturbed people at laundromats than in any other public building such as a grocery store. Most people who go to the laundromat are like me- people who live in an apartment or house without washer/dryer available, who just want to get their laundry clean with a minimum of effort. And to be honest, we don’t need rude, conceited people like you coming in and looking down on us while we do it.
Madam Chow says
I think you have a chip on your shoulder. Nothing I, nor anyone else has said, is “rude” or “conceited.” We’ve just been relating our experiences. You are fortunate that yours have been better, but that doesn’t make the rest of us liars or snobs. I still use laundromats when I travel and for large items that I can’t wash at home. I don’t have the servants wash my clothes with a toothbrush and Perrier.
Mavis says
Crystal, I didn’t mean to offend you or anyone. I certainly think it depends on the city and area in which you live. The laundromat where I have been going (and really my only option) is not in a good area, not clean and really not that safe. I absolutely don’t look down on people who use laundromats, I was simply saying that the one I am having to use is not the best, and I wouldn’t allow my daughter to go there by herself. But I know not all of them are like that!! And I certainly know not all people who use laundromats are ax murderers! So sorry to have offended you! Wash on!!
EKandz says
Are you REALLY defending laundromat patrons? Calm down. Please. It’s not that serious.
bscott says
Holy cow. Even laundry discussions aren’t safe! Keep calm people. I’ve been in Laundromats my whole life. And yes,
you see scary things. But we have all survived it.
Susan says
It’s kind of informative and entertaining at the same time. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin at the laundromat.
Tammy says
I would have to agree.
Practical Parsimony says
When my washer broke and before I could afford another one, I had to use the laundramat. Two young women were the only ones in there. One said to the other, “Which was the washer you put those chicken shit clothes in?” She pointed to the one I was stuffing my things into. I talked to the owner of an appliance store and made an arrangement to get a washer and give him a postdated check. We were long time friends and I was going to buy from his store, anyway. No more “chicken shit” machines for me. These women worked in a chicken house and those people get chicken shit in their shoes, socks and even in jean pockets and in their blouses. Nothing is safe.
So, my advice is to scope out the laundramats in town. I have four to choose from. Talking to young people who make minimum wage or older people who have been around town for years is good. These businesses have reputations just like mechanics do.
Crystal, it is the truth. Get over it. I did not think Mavis was rude or demeaning at all. Apartment laundries might be nicer and have people who are more normal.
I have been threatened, harassed by guys, worried things were going to be stolen, and had to be careful where I sat. Oh, don’t ever leave the laundramat because people will take your clothing, your baskets, or not even put the clothes on the table. The floor might be where the laundry lands. And, there are mental patients that want to talk and ask for a ride home or for change for the machine or a coke.
Practical Parsimony says
By the way, the chicken houses here have from 10,000 to 40,000 chickens in them. They are not little backyard chicken houses for three hens. It is a brutal, nasty, unhealthy job for young people.
Janet S says
Well, I have been in some uncomfortable situations at laundromats, so I understand what Mavis is talking about. It has nothing to do with putting down people who look more ‘down and out’ than I do. The ones who are actively doing laundry are fine, but sometimes you run into folks whose behavior seems puzzling (are they a bit ‘off” or on drugs? who knows), when it seems best to avoid eye contact and pretend to not know English.
Carolyn R says
We used the laundromat for 18mos because our dryer blew out. I discovered that the drying my clothes at the laundromat had the following benefits:
1 – All the clothes got folded and put away immediately – including socks.
2 – All the laundry could be done in record time. If I washed at home all wash was complete within 1.5 hours, then another hour for getting to the laundromat, drying clothes and folding clothes then coming home.
3 – Their dryers dry the laundry in 1/2 the time as mine. So I was done quicker
4 – I saved $5 a month in utilities by drying the laundry at the laundromat. Yep, even factoring in gas to get there and back I SAVED money going there.
Sitting around watching clothes spin is very boring, so I worked on my knitting or read books while I waited. It was nice having that dedicated time to unwind every week. I usually went down to dry Saturday evening around 7pm and the place was fairly empty. Check the places out before hand and find one that has good lighting and an attendant on hand. Mine was great and I would not hesitate to do it again.
sarah says
Checking the places out before hand is key. My laundromat shares a wall of windows with a dry cleaners and there are two ladies over there that keep an eye on things. I say hello to each person that walks into the laundromat (since I’m often the only other person in the joint at 7 a.m.) and I’ve never felt uncomfortable. The folks who are receptive to chatting with me are happy to share their secret laundromat knowledge like which washing machine gets off balance easy, which dryer doesn’t get as hot as the others and that the drycleaner has free wi-fi 🙂
chrisM says
Knew a lady who took her elderly mother’s clothing to the Laundromat because she didn’t want to use her own machines. The reason? Her mother was in a nursing home and had some kind of skin infection that was highly contagious. Gross! Whenever I have to use a Laundromat, I always make sure to dry the clothes in the dryers on high heat. I’m usually a fan of hanging my clothes but at the Laundromat I want to kill those germs. I never use their tables or bins. I fold at home. I don’t fold my clothing on those tables where a woman has just changed her baby’s diaper…
Practical Parsimony says
That is a gross story about the skin disease. It seems that she would want her mother to have perfectly clean clothes, not letting her clothing collect something at the laundramat that might make her skin worse. I agree about folding at home. I touch nothing with my clothing, plus I just want to get out of there!
Lace Faerie says
Before we built our house, we lived in an apartment that was supposed to have a washer and dryer. When those ancient appliances died, we had to use a laundromat here in a very small town. The laundromat had a teenage attendant that would run over and spray down and wipe out each machine inside and out before the next load, unlesss you were planning on using it again. It was amazingly clean and bright, so much different than the one I had to use in a larger city.
When the washer and dryer were replaced, they were extraordinarily small and stacked on top of each other. I still have a framed photocopy of the manual that came with them that considered a large load: one pair lightweight work pants, two short sleeved shirts, two undergarments, 2 pairs of socks and a washcloth/hand towel set. Two bath towels were considered an equivilant load. No wonder I felt like I was always doing laundry!
The absolutely best thing about moving to our own home was the extra large capacity washer and dryer set that my in-laws gifted us as a housewarming gift!
Emily says
Not a tip, just a story to amuse you while you wait for your clothes to wash. While i was living in my first apartment and hauling my laundry to the laundromat I once looked out my window to see two socks sticking straight up from a pile of snow in the parking lot. I always wondered what kind of crazy person loses their clothing on the side of the road. Apparently I do. Frozen solid sticking up like two flags for all to see were my wool socks.
Maybe there is a tip in there. Try not to drop things out of your basket.
Mavis says
Haha! That’s hilarious!
Butterflyweed says
I agree with everything Mavis says. People who have washers at home go to the Laundromat to wash things too gross for their home machine. Like sheets full of puke. The few occasions in my life when I have needed to use one, I spent the extra money to run hot water and bleach through the machine before I added my clothes. Worth the time and money!
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Hmmm I think you would hate my city then. At least half the people here use laundromats. Simply because old brownstones don’t often include washers and dryers. It’s very common in urban cities. There are just as many unsavory characters there as there are in the grocery store or anywhere else.
I haven’t had to use one in years thanks to the luxery of my own washer and dryer but I used to love it way back when. I loved doing three loads in the time it takes to do one at home. I never left though. I brought a book and just sort of enjoyed my hour and a half of down time.
I hope you get your washer and dryer back soon.
KK @ Preppy Pink Crocodile
Yvonne says
I am curious which city and states are you in?
Erin Wilson says
I used to love using the laundromat. Loved being able to get all the laundry done at once, instead of the grind of a load a day. Met some very kind people too. They’d let you know which dryer they just finished using, so you could use one that was already warm.
I usually just sorted my clothes into lights and darks. I’d bring one basket in from the car, and get the loads started. Then go out to the car for the others, and get those started. By staggering the load times, the dryers were also staggered, so I was able to fold each load as it was finished and usually was able to finish folding the load just as the next dryer chimed. I usually kept the first dryer going through the whole folding time, and tossed in the few pieces from each load that needed a little extra drying.
Door-to-door, up to 6 loads washed, folded, and put away in less than an hour and a half. Honestly, barely any time to read!
Joyce Tucker says
Back 1 in 1999, hubby and I lived in an apartment in Southern California. The complex had two large laundromats for all the apartments. One day, I put my clothes into the dryer. Being So Cal, it got unbearably hot in the laundromat. I went up to spend some time in our air conditioned unit, until my clothes were dry. I came back about a half hour later, my clothes were dry, but I was missing all my black panties. Hmmmmm Moral of this story. Don’t leave your laundry..
I often wonder is some lady was walking around in my under pants….
Lolo says
Don’t play coy……we all know very well it was a man walking around wearing your underwear.
Tim says
That’s crazzy. Stealing someone’s panties.
Renay says
Back in the day when I was a kid (1970’s) tons of us used the laundromats. We had mad cart races (remember those with the hanger over the top?) with all the other kids there while our moms gossiped with their hair in curlers. HA!
Funny story…I had to wash a comforter and went to my local laundromat. I used too much soap and yes, a ala Brady Bunch, had suds ALL OVER THE PLACE. So I go running for the attendant yelling for him towards the back and the open door…where I was greeted with the aroma of MARY JANE. He strolls in and says ‘hey no worries lady, happens all the time.’ Laughed all day on that one!
Mavis says
Oh man. Great story!
Helen in Meridian says
I am 67 and my mom received a dryer the day I was born. But in college and apts I used laundromats without any problem. When we were switching to gas dryer and needed re piping, and when my dryer had a problem I used the local laundromat. It looked low class and scary, but they had a full time attendant, and I always brought my old magazines and left them for the next family to enjoy. My Albertsons was right across the street, and I would sometimes leave and go grocery shopping. I loved how quickly my clothes dried and how you could have several loads going that all dried quickly. Also their giant washers that cost more are perfect for washing your quilts or down comforters, because that is hard on regular washers. Also their dryers being large are great for the down comforters to fluff when you toss in some dead tennis balls to help fluff. I agree that the quick dry is fantastic, and I enjoyed visiting with the attendant.
Mavis says
Tennis balls Helen? Is that really a thing?
susan says
Yes, Mavis, tennis balls help fluff up down comforters and coats. If you don’t have tennis balls, you can also use clean sneakers.
There is a part of me that misses having a week’s laundry done in less than 2 hours. I used to go on Saturday evenings (I am a real wild woman, aren’t I – to spend Saturday night at the Laundromat?) to avoid the crowds LOL
UpstateNYer says
Yes, Tennis balls work. I have been going to my laundry mat long enough that the Laundry Matron knows me. She has offered me (3 free) tennis balls to use when I have done my comforters. It works!
Sue says
Yes, tennis balls are absolutely a thing. They don’t even have to be dead. I bought a can specifically for laundry because of course: unused=clean.
Our town laundromat is tidy, well lit, and has attendants. Reading here, I now realize my good fortune! Never a problem with clean washers. Don’t like the dryers, though, because they get way too hot.
If you people think laundromats are dicey, try a long ride on a Greyhound (or equivalent) bus sometime…
Shelly Splinter says
BINGO ! An attendant on duty , that’s one key feature I look for in a suitable laundromat . Mine is wonderful , non-stop cleaning and ready to help . I feel blessed !
Practical Parsimony says
Another tip on using laundramats. The machines are so rough they tear up your clothing! There is no gentle cycle. Plus, the heat in the dryers is too hot. I end up having things ruined or hang them at home. I figure doing all my laundry at once is no saving.
sarah says
The washing machines in my laundromat have three temp settings and normal or delicate settings. Dryers have temperature settings as well. I’ve been at it for about six weeks and haven’t had any clothing damage. Sorry you’ve had bad experiences.
Jen says
Been using laundromats for about 20something years. Also don’t drive. So I have to be choosy at what gets washed right away or not. I have separate basket in my bathroom for underwear and socks. It is not good to constantly wash your clothes after every single use. So I use the sniff test. A new shirt has several wears before it can hit the wash as long as you hang it up directly after taking it off (unless of course you get it soiled). I separate my clothes, but not in colors/whites/darks. I Put all my jeans in one wash. If need be, I put some towels in with and maybe a sweatshirt or two if they are present. Then, I take all my better quality stuff, most of the tags suggest to wash in delicate cycle (warm or cold) with like colors. So I wash them in one load on delicate cold cycle. It really does make a difference. And most all my clothes tags say to dry them on low temperatures. Luckily my laundrmat has a dial on the machines. I turn it high for the first 3 – 5 minutes, turn it down low for the duration and then back to high for the last 2-3 minutes. Seems to do a fair job. You mostly want to get the dampness out of the clothes. And if the clothes are not all the way dry, I ‘ll just hang them up straight away when I get home.
Suzie says
I recently bought a king sized bed which of course, require king sized bedding that won’t fit into my home washing machine and dryer. It’s mostly just the bed spread. Frustrating. Haven’t washed the bed spread yet but the day is coming soon. What I want to know is, if people have been there before me with bed bugs or head lice laundry, can that be transferred on to my stuff or does it all get destroyed in the wash?
Thanks so much for any comment.
Cass W. says
If it’s in the wash, yes, it might, if they don’t drown. However, heat kills bedbugs and probably lice, so if there are any in the washer, it should all die in the dryer- as long as the bugs don’t get on you in the transfer. 😉 But, I’ve used laundromats on several occasions at several locations and not had these problems, you should be safe. 🙂
Suzie says
Thanks for your reply. I am still too afraid. It would just be my luck! Sooner or later though I have to do something because the bedspread does need washing. It’s just a big phobia and not past it yet. 🙁
UpstateNYer says
Can you dry clean it instead?
Tim says
Bring it to my house suzie.
I’ll put it in my huge washer and dryer. It will get clean
Sue says
Head lice (adults, nymphs, eggs) will not survive a washer + dryer runthrough.
Bedbugs will be killed by water that is 122 degrees or hotter. Put the dryer on the hottest setting as well, and you will be good. Otherwise, dry cleaning is your best option for peace of mind.
Adrian says
I just moved into an apartment building that has 200 plus residents. There’s a laundry room on the ground floor, and 6 washers and 6 dryers. A tip I have is that I take disinfecting spray and spray down the washers and dryers before I put my clothes in.
A problem I’ve been having is that when my clothes are all done, they have this odor to them. It seems like it’s from the dryers, maybe the high heat? It’s not a foul odor or musty.. But my laundry doesn’t smell nice and fresh and clean, and I use 2 tide pods per load and 2 of those new snuggle scent booster pods per load. And even add some vinegar sometimes. Ugh.
Rio Tennango says
*be sure u don’t OVER LOAD.
*add vinegar or tea tree oil to wash (kills bacteria )
*Too much detergent can create a level of foam that holds dirt (& smwlls) “in”
*JUST 2 DROPS of tea tree oil on a washcloth and add to load in dryer
Penny S. says
Possibly the smell you spoke of is the disinfecting spray that you are using in the machines prior to doing your laundry!
Linda Sand says
I think you are using too much detergent; it is not getting rinsed out completely then it is cooked in the dryer.
Lillian Moore says
Thanks for the article! I love the suggestion to sort your clothes before you go. You don’t really want to get in there and be stuck there for hours, so making sure your loads are as simple as possible will definitely be a benefit to you. One time I went to the laundromat with my family and we spent 5 hours there to do six people worth loads of laundry. I sincerely appreciate the great advice you have given here I will be using quite a few tips here in the near future.
Jeff Nitka says
Good one thanks.
Kim says
Boy I know what you mean about get in and get out quickly. The lady two times I had to use my local laundry mat I was sure the swat team was going to raid the place. I witnessed four drug deals in the three hours I was there and one affair taking place in the rest room for 25 minutes of loud knocks bumps oh gods and we’ll you catch my drift. Out they walked 30 minutes later kissed at the door abd she went out the front and got into her new Lexus and he out back get this on a beach cruiser bike. He must have lived around the corner but it was funny. Suddenly though I realize there’s cops hiding in the bushes . My things were dry finally my last load so I just folded that at home. Next day heard the cops busted a drug dealer who dealt 5,000 dollars a day in meth from my laundry mat. I did reconsider him from the guy I saw in the place dealing drugs in open like he didn’t have a care in the world. Even I felt like I should tell him what a bust he is. At least be more low under wraps. Anyway I will never go to that laundry mat ever again. Thank goodness it’s five miles from my house.
Frank says
Kim Some Stuff; You HAVE to go to the laundromat for like Comforters (and) Bedding; If you Don’t Go to the Laundromat to wash these; you have to take them to the Dry Cleaners; and that’s even MORE Expensive!
Home Washers Are Just NOT Made for These Kinds Of Loads!
Kim says
I’m sorry about typos but I’m using a tiny little phone
Eryn says
I opened the detergent drawer on a washer at my laundromat once, and it was full of water that splashed my arm and shirt. Fortunately, I decided to use another washer, because a few minutes later, my arm started itching. I washed it off in the sink, but later that day, I realized (due to it having splashed on my shirt) that it wasn’t water, but bleach.
Sandra Hexner says
Thank you for all this great information about Laundromat benefits! I really like your point about choosing an off hour will make it where I could go in and wash every batch all at the same time. That could save me so much time and I love the idea of wiping out the washers and dryers before I get started too! This will help my busy schedule for sure.
Lace Faerie says
My Mama told me when the were first married in 1960, they bought their washer and dryer from a place that put coin operated lock boxes on them. That way you could pay your monthly payment a load at a time. The coin man came the first Saturday of the month and wrote a receipt to document the payment taken out of the box. It was a day of celebration when they no longer had to stay at home on Saturday morning waiting for the coin man to make his way down the neighborhood.
UpstateNYer says
Perhaps it is a NY State thing but I can’t believe that no one has mentioned that “drop off washing service” is an option. You bring your laundry in, they weigh it by they pound. The matron will wash it, dry it, fold it and bag it up and bill you within 24hours for you to pick up. I know a guy that used that service all the time. He hated to do laundry and found a way not to! LOL
Penny S. says
My sons jobs require them to travel throughout the United States. They use “drop off laundry service” where ever they can find it.
UpstateNYer says
Some of my best reading time is at the laundrymat. My location also provides them to customers. I will often drop some off – with my name label cut off – to recycle and share with others. If it is quiet, I read there. If not, I read in my car and set my phone timer for when I need to go back in and take care of my things.
Also, many laundrymats no longer use quarters. They have cards that you download cash amounts – for that visit or ongoing visits. I put my monthly laundry budget on the card and keep it in my wallet till it needs to be used again.
I have found that afternoons (before 4 pm), Friday nights and after 8 pm are slow times for the laundrymat. Avoid going the day before a holiday and the day before a snow storm. Everyone seems to be there then. Not sure why though …
My only pet peeve about the place are the Parent patrons who don’t come prepared with books or small toys to occupy their children! I hate hearing kids reprimanded for playing with laundry items, or told to sit down, or stop running/climbing because the kids don’t know what else to do at that boring place.
Bonus: Finding a laundrymat that has air conditioning. That is the best when you are stuck on hot days/nights doing laundry.
Starlene says
Thanks – All very interesting!!
I recently had an abrupt change of residence and found myself, too, going to to a laundremat. Filling inbetween time can get costly if the laundremat is in a shopping center. I found a laundremat not in the center of town, actually out of my way, about .25 to .50 cents more a machine, but, machines are clean and wash clothes better, never over crowded, and inbetween time I clean out the inside of my car, update my calender/schedule, look at a magazine, simple things to relax and get ready for the folding, packing it up and putting away once I get back to the house.
Overall the few extra miles and extra cents is worth the trip!
Thanks for sharing everyone!!
Mrs. B says
I wish I could find a decent laundromat where I live. I just learned something yesterday. If a washing machine eats $2.50 worth of your quarters and doesn’t give them back, don’t bother calling the manager/owner. They never believe you. They both humiliated me in front of the entire laundromat. I asked them why don’t they just view the camera footage, and they will be able to see that I did indeed put the quarters in, and I did indeed try to press the button to get them back, but the machine still stuck, didn’t start, and would not give me back my quarters. I am never going back to that laundry again. I spend over $50 a month there, and apparently that’s not important to them, that they have to accuse me of trying to steal a couple dollars from them. I would not have bothered calling them to have them come all the way over there, (no employees remain at site) unless I legitimately lost my money and was hoping to get it back. The only other laundromat closes at 8 p.m., instead of 11, and the machines there are even older than the ones in this laundromat. If I had the funds, I would open another laundromat in this town. It is definitely needed. So anyway, lesson learned. Take heed, if the machines eat your quarters, don’t say anything unless you like public humiliation.
Michelle says
Great tips! I didn’t find the information I needed (how to get clothes out of a front loader mid-cycle because there’s a fire nearby and the area is being evacuated — it was an extra fun laundry day today)
Another thing I’d add is to find out if there are any special days at your local laundromat. Ours, in cooperation with some local churches, does free laundry day once a week. If you show up then and aren’t participating you’ll get yelled at for putting clothes into the machine before the event starts and have to deal with a lot of extra drama.
Linda Sand says
If you open the dryer door just a crack the dryer will stop and you can remove clothes.
Ron Booker says
My wife and I enjoy going to the laundromat because you can find any size washer to fit almost anything that you want to wash. I like how you mentioned that choosing the right hour can avoid you dealing with a busy laundromat and having to wait extra time to wash your clothes. The next time we have to go to the laundromat I’m going to make sure to look for the right time to make my experience more pleasant.
Dingy Dresser says
Every laundromat witihn 40 minite drive here is filthy. Cobwebs grow in all corners and under table. In every washer, the zone between tub and fixed casing is covered w fuzzy sticky groady material, as well as in crevices of the lid. No one is ever there to clean machnes or tables. Tables should have been tossed 20 years ago, with ,arred and broken surface finish. Windows and glass on doors covered in mucky fog for never been cleaned in years. Linoelum floors are worn out. Inside dryer drums you can see fuzz balls and scum behind the drum where the air is blown in. Burn damage on drums shows in every one. Cup for adding detergent in also groady,and the lid for the cup is worse. Animal fur as stuck all over two machines. Every laundromat is like this. Six or more laundromats. I begin to think it is one owner
It’s been this way for 8 years, and it is getting worse . Last time I noticed many of my loads came out of wash with foreign debris on them, even though I had inspected machine for cleanliness by hand and smell. Some items came out with same dirt marks they had when they went in. These marks came out w gentle hand wash at home. I am in temporary situation where I need a laundromat for my personal laundry.
I am told a business can do what it wants. People use these places to wash donated clothing, oversized items, fur covered dog beds , camping gear and such.
Are there no limits on how filthy these places can be?
There are several colleges and universities here. But I assume apartment housing has their own facilities, and campus has its own.
Are there no limits?
Meghan C says
Unrelated to the actual content of the post … but that picture you found/used cracks me up!!! I don’t remember the laundry mat being that “sexy”/”hip” when I used to go! LOL
Mavis Butterfield says
I thought it was hilarious!
sandyf says
I am laughing and enjoying all of the comments- and by all means nobody meant anything offensive or insensitive . It is all love here.
Anyway- we used to rent a condo in Mammoth Lakes CA-same condo every season.
We noticed that all of our underwear was always missing from the laundry…
Every year. Somebody was removing only the underwear from all of the washers and dryers…( I hope AFTER they had been laundered…but that is something I don’t wish to imagine!)
Anyway-we thought it was weirdly funny/odd. But to each his own???
Cheers all-again-thank you all for such insightful comments.
Linda Sand says
Back in the day, spending time at a laundromat was when I wrote letters. My mother appreciated that.
Wendy M says
I check Google reviews before I try a new laundromat. It’s especially helpful if you are on vacation for a week and don’t want to tote all of your dirty clothes home. It’s definitely helped me stay out of some sketchy establishments.
I have tips for efficient dryer use because those gas dryers can be really expensive. When I wash and dry I go by how heavy the fabric is so I can get the most bang for my buck, dryer usage wise.
KCB says
The laundromats in the county for which you moved, I have become dangerous! Vandals, assaults, robberies, trashing the place! More than a few have closed. Oh, I would wash my clothes in the bathtub before I would go to a laundromat here.
Shirley Funk says
I go to the laundrymat once a week usually about 6pm(not usually busy). I carry a bag with me which I keep me laundry essentials in which includes a book I can read while they are washing. Other times I take my bag of yarn with me because I’m a crocheter
JulieP says
I’ve only ever used the laundromat when something has been too big for my machine! It’s very expensive here to use and the driers are even more so with the cost of electricity if you saw ours in our local town you wouldn’t think spooky you’d think sad, and it’s fluorescent green! And people don’t sort! They sling it all on together! I’m horrified watching all this grey washing coming out finished