I’ll be honest, prior to college I had only done laundry maybe a handful of times which certainly isn’t enough to remember how to do it when I was on my own. When I did laundry for the first time, I called my mom to have her walk me through it (because that’s what moms are for!). After doing it just one time, I was a pro. So here are some tips for all you college students or upcoming first year students who may not know anything when it comes to doing laundry:
(Photo via Shutterstock)
1. Buy a hamper
This may seem obvious, but some people just throw their clothes all over their room. If you have something, whether it be a hamper or a basket, that you only put your dirty clothes in, you’ll know exactly what needs washed come laundry day.
Tip: Buy a hamper on wheels. Laundry is heavier than you think! Especially when you have to lug it all the way down the hallway.
(Photo via The Container Store)
2. Use a mesh garment bag
You know how your socks magically disappear in the dryer? Well, using a garment bag will help solve this mystery. This way, when you wash and dry your socks, they won’t go missing. This is a trick I learned from my dad and it has made doing laundry so much easier. I haven’t lost a sock yet!
(Photo via Andrea Dekker)
3. Separate your clothes into darks and light.
If you’re worried about the dye from your colored clothes ruining your light clothes, then put anything with color (t-shirts, leggings, pants) in one washer and anything white (towels, socks, underwear) in the other washer. If you’re like me, you used to split up your laundry, but now you just throw it all in one washer (it saves money).
(Photo via WikiHow)
4. Use laundry pods (but don’t eat them)
I use laundry pods because they’re easier to transport than a whole container of laundry detergent. If you look on the package of laundry pods, it should tell you how many to use depending on how large or small your load is.
(Photo via A.V. Club)
5. Set a timer.
I can’t stress how important this is. If you live in a dorm, there’s probably only a couple of washers and dryers that everyone shares. By setting a timer, it makes sure you remember to get your clothes on time so that other people who are waiting to use them don’t have to wait for you to come get your clothes.
(Photo via The Telegraph)
6. Don’t let your clothes sit for too long in the washer or dryer
Besides being courteous to others waiting to do laundry, you also just don’t want to leave your clothes in the washer or dryer for too long. If you do, they can just a musty smell or start to wrinkle.
(Photo via Choice)
7. Clean out the dryer filter
When you’re done drying your clothes, clean out the dryer filter. It makes it easier for the next person and it’s just the polite thing to do. No one else wants to be cleaning out the lint from your clothes!
(Photo via Dryer Duct Pros)
8. Fold your clothes ASAP
Along with not letting them sit in the dryer for too long, try to fold them as soon as you can. If you don’t, your clothes will be one big wrinkly mess. Just look how happy this lady is folding clothes!
(Photo via Dreamstime)
9. Buy wrinkle releaser
Being a college student, I don’t have an iron because let’s face it, who has time to iron their clothes in the morning? Instead, I use wrinkle releaser. All you do is lay your item of clothing down flat, spray it all over, smooth it out, and voilà.
(Photo via Downy)
10. Do your laundry at home.
If you live close to home or you’re going home for the weekend, do your laundry there! It’ll save you money and you don’t have to walk to and from your dorm multiple times waiting for a washer to be available.
(Photo via Marino Bambinos)
Have any laundry tips of your own? Let us know!
Cover photo courtesy of choice.com.au