The Laundromat Diaries

Ha ha ha, another one from a while ago saved in my drafts

There are many things to consider when resorting to any sort of community laundry facilities. The general ones are:

*Do not assume someone won't take your half clean underwear. There is always done pervert or desperate for clothing individual out there that will decide finders keepers. Unless the machine you areusing locks while in use and you plan to be back before the load is finished, do not leave it unattended!
*Common sense, along with clothing, do not leave change or soap if any kind unattended or consider it a donation.
*Bring soap and quarters, the machines at expensive and will rob you from time to time. You won't get your $ back.
*Personal safety, don't be a jerk but always look, be aware of who is around you, and don't let yourself get caught off guard. All walks of life is laundromats!

Washing machine strategy:
*Here is where it pays to use the biggest, industrial washer in the place and STUFF IT.
*Always use hot water, you have no idea when it was cleaned last or who used it last
*Due to the above, if you must wash a load in cold water, or if you are washing children's/baby items, run a load of sheets or towels (preferably a load of whites or towels you can run hot with a ton of soap, bleach, and as hot as it will go) first, then run your cold load or baby load in the same washer. This way it is as clean as its going to get.
*ALWAYS pay mind to who just pulled their clothes out of machine before you put yours in, use common sense...

Dryer strategy:
*These usually charge per time not per load so do not overload these, it won't save you $. Split your overloaded washer load between 2 dryers and use high heat.
*If your trip is getting spendy, you can always dry your laundry halfway, then take it bone and strew it around the house overnight to finish drying
*Usually, all the dryers are stacked together along the back wall. Use a top one, preferably next to and above others in use. Or if using multiple, cluster them together. Is easier to keep track of this way, and you may get a slight benefit in your top dryers (heat rises).