College Crash Course: How to Do Laundry

You think you’ve got it made. You’re out on your own for the first time with no one to tell you what to do, no one to tell you when to come home and no one to tell you what you can and cannot eat. This is the life. There is one thing that comes along with that kind of independence though… there’s no one around to do your laundry.

Uh-oh…didn’t think about that, did you? Sure, you can let it pile up in your dorm closet and take it all home so your mom or dad can wash it for you. This, however, runs the risk of you having to go to class wearing a trash bag, so we suggest a brash alternative: Learn to do your own laundry.

To help get you started, we’ve outlined the basics for you.

Locate Washing Machine: This is a necessity. You can wash clothes in a sink or tub, but really your best bet is a washing machine. If you do not have access to a free one, always make sure you have plenty of quarters. There’s nothing worse than being 25 cents short of a dry pair of pants.

Add Detergent: Follow the directions on the bottle for how much to use. Make sure you don’t add too much or you will have an unscheduled foam party. You can add fabric softener if needed, but be weary of using fabric softener in loads that include some athletic wear.

Choose Your Load: As nice as it would be to just toss all your clothes in at once, for the sake of your whites, it’s best to separate. Whites can get washed in warm water, and darks and colors get washed in cold so they maintain their color.

Hurry up and Wait: Once you have your laundry in and the correct cycle and temperature chose, you’ve got some time to kill. You can read a book, go for a jog maybe even do some homework. Just be aware of when your cycle is done. No one likes waiting on a washing machine full of wet clothes.

Time to Dry: Choosing the right dry cycle is just as important as the wash cycle. Delicate clothes can shrink easily and drying too hot can damage them as well. If you’re unsure, check the tags on your clothes and when in doubt, opt for a lower drying temperature and check your clothes often for shrinking or wear.

You Did It: Well, almost. It’s important to fold or hang your clothes as soon as possible after drying. Otherwise they’ll be full of wrinkles and you’ll have to iron everything. And that is for another blog.