Never Used a Laundromat? Here’s How It Works

The first time I used a Laundromat, I was in college. All the machines in the (completely free!) dorm laundry room were taken, but it was my only time to do laundry. So off I went to the nearest Laundromat to use their machines. It was a little overwhelming — all the machines and people lounging around, and all the noises. But once you get the hang of it, using a Laundromat becomes second nature. If you’re a first-time Laundromat user, here’s what to know.

First things first: Gather the items you’ll need for your laundry. That means your clothes (separated into whites and colors, unless you wash everything together on a cold cycle like I do), laundry detergent, dryer sheets or dryer balls, a basket or laundry bag, a mesh bag for things that don’t go in the dryer, something to keep you busy while you wait, and quarters. Lots of quarters. Most Laundromat machines are coin-operated and cost about $2 to wash and a similar amount to dry.

Haul everything to the nearest Laundromat and find an empty washing machine or two, depending on how much laundry you have. Read the signs around the machines to make sure you know how they work. Most Laundromats will have a key for what all the symbols and settings mean, plus directions for where to put the detergent. Load the machines with your laundry and detergent, close the doors, pick your settings, and pay for your wash.

Now, wait. Hopefully, you brought a book or laptop and can do some casual reading or working. Some Laundromats have a stack of magazines available for people to read. You can leave during your cycle, but you may not want to. (See below for more information on that.)

After your wash cycle finishes, swap your clothes to the dryer, throw in a dryer sheet, close the door, pick your settings (again, there should be a key nearby), and pay for the load. If you have items that can’t go in the dryer, use the mesh bag you brought with you to store them. 

And now you wait again. You can risk running home to hang up your items that can’t go in the dryer, or you can stay with your book or laptop, or go out somewhere else.

Once the dryer cycle is done, remove your clothes and take them to the folding tables (usually in the middle of the room). Fold all your clothes, put them in your basket or laundry bag, and head home with fresh laundry.

An extra tip for using the Laundromat: Check in the machines before you put your clothes in. If they smell bad, don’t use them. If someone has left a sock or a single piece of clothing, put it on the folding table and use the machine. 

Laundromat wash cycles typically take about 30 to 35 minutes, regardless of the type of item you’re washing. If the machines allow you to choose an extra rinse or an extra spin cycle, add another 15 to 20 minutes to that time.

The drying time at a Laundromat depends on what you’re drying. If it’s delicates or things with really thin fabrics, it can take as little as 20 minutes. For a standard load of jeans and shirts, expect about 45 minutes. Bulkier items like blankets can take an hour or more, and may require multiple cycles.

Don’t worry — these terms mean the same thing. “Washateria” is typically used in Southern states because it was a brand name for a Laundromat that opened in Texas in 1934. That brand name became part of the regional lexicon to mean any Laundromat.

Leaving your clothes at the Laundromat is a risky game. If they’re in the washing machine on a cycle that’s running, it’s not super likely that someone is going to remove your clothes. But once that cycle is done, that machine is fair game. People can take your wet clothes out and leave them on a table or in a basket so they can use the machine. If you’ve left during the wash cycle, be sure you come back before it’s finished so you can free up the machine and grab a dryer.

If you leave while your clothes are in the dryer, it’s the same risk. But from personal experience, I’ve seen more clothes pulled half-wet out of dryers than anything else — so it’s probably best to stay in the Laundromat until they’re dry.

Check the policy at your localLaundromat to see what happens if you leave your clothes there overnight (maybe you forgot them or there was an emergency). Most times, an employee will leave wet clothes in the washer and put dry clothes on the folding tables. The next morning, any wet clothes will go in the dryer and then get folded, and you’ll likely be charged a fee.