Organizing is the key to de-stressing your next trip to the laundromat. By keeping several tips in mind, you can stay on top of your game the next time laundry day rolls around.
Be organized when you go to the laundromat
How many times have you tossed a bunch of dirty clothes into the back of your car and rushed out to the laundromat, only to realize when you got there that you forgot to bring change, detergent, or other supplies? Laundry day can be a lot less stressful if you start your organization plan before you even leave the house. The following list includes five easy-to-implement tips that can take your trips to the laundromat to the next level:
- Arrive at the laundromat with clothes already sorted.
- Always bring the correct amount of change.
- Bring your own detergent.
- Fold and sort clothes before going home.
- Put clothes away as soon as you get home.
It’s also a good idea to schedule ahead for laundromat day. When you know exactly what day and time you’ll be going to do laundry, it helps you feel more organized and less stressed than deciding on the spur of the moment that you need to wash some clothes and hauling a big, disorganized pile out the door.
Why sort my clothes ahead of time?
You can save time by sorting your laundry at home instead of waiting until you arrive at the laundromat. There are several affordable options to help you transport pre-sorted laundry. The most inexpensive and basic way to do this is to use different colored pillowcases. You can sort clothes by color (whites, darks, and lights) or also, by washing instructions (non-bleach, gentle cycle, lay flat to dry). Another way to transport pre-sorted clothes to the laundromat is to carry each pile in a laundry basket. If you want to avoid spillage, you might opt for tote bins with lids. Those who want something a bit more luxurious and convenient can invest in a laundry duffle bag on wheels!
Avoid the hassle of getting coins at the laundromat
Most laundromats have machines where you can insert dollar bills and get coins back to use in the washing machines and dryers. When your goal is to be more organized on laundry day, the more you do ahead of time, the less stressful your trip to the laundromat will be. Consider keeping a jar at home to collect change for laundry days. Always make sure you have enough change before you get there to save time and make washing clothes less stressful. There are also laundromats now that take credit and debit cards, EBT, and Apple Pay – avoiding the coin situation altogether!
Why carry detergent if the laundromat sells it?
You can indeed buy single-service detergent packs at most laundromats these days. Do you know that you are likely paying double what you would for a store-bought container of detergent once you add up the cost of all those little packets? It’s also another task to handle at the laundromat if you don’t bring your own detergent, which costs you more time, every time you go. You can save time and money by bringing your own detergent to the laundromat. (Hint: You can even keep a bottle of detergent in your car so that it’s always ready on laundry day!)
Can’t I wait until I get home to fold the clean clothes?
It’s more stressful to carry unfolded, clean clothes back home on laundry day. You’ll have less to do when you get home if you fold clothes or place items on hangers as needed while you’re still at the laundromat. You can use baskets or totes to store folded clothes according to where they belong at home, such as jeans and leggings that go in one drawer or socks and undergarments that go in another. When you take a few extra minutes at the laundromat to fold and sort, all you have to do when you get home is pop the clothes into the drawers where they belong and place things on hangers in your closet.
Don’t let piles of clean clothes lay around at home
It defeats the purpose of being organized if you sort your clothes at the laundromat but don’t put them away when you get home. Bad habits are easy to form but hard to break. Try to form good habits instead by developing a laundromat routine the is low-stress and helps you stay organized. Get in the habit of putting your clean clothes away as soon as you get home, then storing all of your supplies so that they’re ready for your next laundry day.
Going to the laundromat doesn’t have to be so stressful
When you save time and money, it helps take the stress out of laundry day. Keeping these tips in mind the next time you go to the laundromat can help you feel organized and ready for the task ahead.