First Time at a Laundromat? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Why This Guide Exists

If you grew up with a washer and dryer at home, you may have never set foot in a laundromat. Then you move into an apartment without in-unit laundry, or your home machine breaks down, or you have a bulky item that does not fit in a home washer. Suddenly you need a laundromat and you realize you have no idea how it works.

No judgment. Everyone has a first time. Here is everything you need to know.

What to Bring

Essential:

• Your dirty laundry (in a bag or basket)
• Detergent (liquid or pods work best -- powder can leave residue in commercial machines)
• Payment method (quarters, credit/debit card, or both depending on the laundromat)

Helpful:

• Dryer sheets or fabric softener
• A stain treatment stick or spray
• A bag for finished laundry
• Something to do while you wait (phone, laptop, book)

At Laundriii specifically:

• We accept coins and cards on all machines
• Free WiFi is available so bring your laptop or tablet if you want to work while you wait
• Our facility is attended during all hours (7am to 10pm), so staff can help if you have questions

How to Sort Your Laundry

Sorting before you arrive saves time and prevents color disasters.

Basic sorting method:

• Whites: White t-shirts, socks, underwear, towels
• Darks: Jeans, black clothes, dark-colored items
• Colors/lights: Everything else -- bright colors, light colors, mixed
• Delicates: Anything you want to wash on a gentle cycle

If you only have a small amount, you can skip sorting and wash everything together on cold. Cold water minimizes color bleeding. It is not ideal for heavily soiled items, but for a small mixed load it works fine.

Choosing the Right Machine Size

Laundromats have washers in multiple sizes. Picking the right size matters -- an overloaded machine does not clean well, and an oversized machine wastes money.

General guide:

• Small washer: 1 to 2 outfits, a few towels, a small load of delicates
• Medium washer: A standard week of laundry for one person
• Large washer: A full week for two people, or a week of laundry plus towels and sheets
• Mega/extra-large washer: Comforters, blankets, sleeping bags, or multiple weeks of laundry

At Laundriii, our machine sizes and prices:

• Small washer: $3.25
• Medium washer: $5.50
• Large washer: $8.50
• 90 lb mega washer: $11.00

Dryers are $0.25 per 8 minutes across all sizes.

Rule of thumb: Your laundry should fill the drum about two-thirds to three-quarters full. If you are cramming it in, go up a size. If the drum is less than half full, go down a size.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Machines

Washing

1. Load the washer. Put your sorted laundry in the drum. Do not pack it too tight.
2. Add detergent. Pour liquid detergent into the detergent dispenser (usually a pull-out drawer on front-loaders, or directly into the drum on top-loaders). If using pods, toss one into the drum before adding clothes. Use the amount recommended on the detergent label -- more is not better and can leave residue.
3. Select your settings. Most laundromat washers offer cycle options (normal, delicate, heavy duty) and water temperature (hot, warm, cold). When in doubt, use normal cycle with cold water. Cold is safe for almost everything.
4. Pay and start. Insert coins or swipe your card. The machine starts automatically. Note the cycle time (usually 25 to 40 minutes depending on the cycle).
5. Wait. This is a good time to use the WiFi, read, or get work done.

Drying

1. Move your laundry to a dryer. When the wash cycle finishes, transfer everything to a dryer promptly. Leaving wet laundry sitting develops a musty smell.
2. Clean the lint trap. Pull out the lint screen and remove any lint from the previous user. This improves drying performance and is basic laundromat courtesy.
3. Load the dryer. Do not overload -- clothes need room to tumble. One washer load per dryer is a good guideline.
4. Select heat. High heat for towels and sheets. Medium for regular clothes. Low for delicates and activewear. When in doubt, use medium.
5. Add dryer sheets if you use them.
6. Pay and start. Add quarters or swipe your card for the time you want. Start with 30 to 40 minutes for a regular load. You can always add more time.
7. Check for dryness. When the time runs out, check your clothes. If they are still damp, add more time in 8-minute increments.

Folding

Most laundromats have folding tables. Fold your clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer to minimize wrinkles. If the folding tables are all in use, fold on top of a dryer or take your laundry home and fold there.

Laundromat Etiquette

There are a few unwritten rules that make the experience better for everyone.

Do:

• Remove your laundry promptly when cycles finish
• Clean the lint trap before using a dryer
• Wipe down the inside of a washer if it looks dirty
• Keep your belongings in a compact area
• Be mindful of volume if you are watching videos or on a call

Do not:

• Leave your laundry in a machine for 30+ minutes after the cycle ends
• Claim multiple machines during busy times unless you are using them all simultaneously
• Use someone else's detergent
• Let children run unsupervised around the machines

At Laundriii, our staff is on-site during all hours to help maintain a clean, comfortable environment. If you have any issues or questions, just ask.

Tips for Your First Visit

1. Go during off-peak hours. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the quietest. Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings are the busiest.
2. Bring enough quarters if the machines are coin-operated. Many laundromats have change machines, but they sometimes run out. Laundriii machines accept cards, so this is less of an issue here.
3. Set a timer on your phone so you know when the wash and dry cycles end.
4. Bring a bag for clean laundry. A separate bag or basket keeps clean clothes separate from whatever you carried them in.
5. Pre-treat stains at home before coming. You do not want to be dealing with stain treatment at the laundromat.

Don't Want to Do It Yourself?

If the whole laundromat experience sounds like more effort than you want to put in, Laundriii has you covered. Drop off your laundry with us and we will wash, dry, and fold everything for $1.75 per pound with 24-hour turnaround. Or skip the trip entirely and schedule a pickup and delivery.

We also offer subscription plans starting at $99/month that make laundry completely automatic.

Whether you want to do it yourself or have us handle it, Laundriii is at 1795 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95128. Open 7am to 10pm, seven days a week. Call 888-411-8081 with any questions.