Nobody wakes up excited about spending their evening at a launderette. But here you are, with a week’s worth of dirty clothes and no washing machine at home. Or maybe yours has packed in at the worst possible time. The good news? You can get through this quickly and painlessly. You just need a solid plan.
Step One: Get Your Act Together at Home
Go through your washing basket and separate everything by colour. Whites go in one pile, light colours in another, and dark colours in a third. You can do this whilst watching telly or listening to a podcast.
Check every pocket. You’d be surprised what you’ll find. Loose change, receipts, lip balm, that missing earring. Get it all out now before it causes problems.
Grab a bag or basket that’s easy to carry. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re lugging clean clothes back home.
Step Two: Pack What You Actually Need
Don’t forget the essentials. Bring enough coins for both washing and drying. A typical self-service laundry charges around £3 to £5 per wash and £2 to £3 for drying. Have a few quid extra just in case.
Take your own washing powder or liquid. It’s cheaper than buying from the vending machine, and you know it works for your clothes.
Throw in a book, your headphones, or download something to watch on your phone. You’ll be there for an hour or so. Might as well make it pleasant.
Step Three: Choose Your Machines Wisely
Walk into the launderette and take a quick look around. Find machines that are empty and working. Some places have machines labelled by size. Small for light loads, medium for regular washing, and large for bulky items like duvets.
Open the door and peek inside. Make sure the drum looks clean and there’s nothing left behind from the previous person.
Read the instructions on each machine. They’re usually stuck right on the front. Different machines have different cycles and prices.
Step Four: Load and Start Your Wash
Put your sorted clothes into the machine.
Fill it about three-quarters full. Your clothes need space to move around. A packed machine won’t clean properly, and you’ll just waste your money.
Add your detergent to the drawer. Most self-service laundry machines have clear markings showing where it goes. Don’t overfill it.
Select your wash cycle. A standard 40-degree wash works for most everyday clothes. Go cooler for delicates and hotter for towels or bedding.
Feed in your coins or use the card payment. Press start and you’re off.
Step Five: Stay on Top of Things
Set a timer on your phone for when the wash finishes.
You don’t want your clothes sitting in a finished machine. Other people need to use it, and wet clothes start to smell if they sit too long.
When it’s done, transfer everything to a dryer straightaway. Give each item a quick shake to loosen it up. This helps things dry faster and reduces creases.
Step Six: Finish Strong
Check the dryer’s heat setting before you start.
Most clothes dry well on a medium heat. Delicate items need low heat. High heat is for towels and heavy fabrics only.
Start with 20 to 30 minutes. You can always add more time if needed. Check your clothes before adding more coins.
Pull everything out as soon as it’s dry. Fold or hang items straight away whilst they’re still warm. This stops wrinkles from setting in.
See? That wasn’t so bad.
You’ve tackled your laundry at a self-service laundry like a pro. Your clothes are clean, dry, and ready to go. And you’ve still got time left in your evening.
