If you live in a school/college dormitory, that means you have to do your own laundry. Maybe this will be your first time doing your own laundry. Even if you have experience doing laundry, there are some differences you should be aware of: you might have to scramble to use the washing machine, you could be locked out of your room, or someone might even steal your pants. But you don't have to worry, after reading this article you will master all about washing clothes in the dorm!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Preparations
Step 1. Prepare everything you will need:
a holder or basin for dirty clothes, laundry soap (hand soap or body wash can cause severe skin irritation), stain remover if needed, and a softening dryer sheet (you can buy or make your own). Make sure you've got all the dirty clothes that were in your gym bag, including towels, sheets, pillowcases, and blankets if necessary.
Step 2. Ask the headmaster or your roommate about the location of the laundry room, how much money you need, and how to pay for it
Bring coins or small money (if there is a coin exchange machine) or a prepaid student card if needed. In general, you need around 25-30 thousand rupiah to wash and dry a pile of clothes at a time. You will need to wash once a week, or depending on your needs.
Step 3. Wipe off the stain before washing
If you haven't already, do so now. If you don't have a stain remover on hand, use a few drops of laundry detergent and scrub the stained area. Do not bleach if the clothes you are washing are not white!
Step 4. Make sure your clothes pocket is empty
Ballpoint pens or lipstick can damage your clothes. Most importantly, make sure your phone is not washed.
DON'T forget to bring your room key before going to wash
Part 2 of 3: Washing Dirty Clothes
Step 1. Find a washing machine that is not being used
Usually washing machines that are not in use have the lid open. Remember to leave the lid open when you're done to let others know that the washing machine is not being used.
Step 2. Remember to check the laundry detergent and bleach dispenser
If someone puts in bleach and doesn't wash anything, your clothes will be damaged. If someone left laundry soap, you can use it if you feel comfortable! You can also use another washing machine if the washing machine dispenser is filled.
Step 3. Separate your laundry into piles:
:
- "Bright," i.e. white cotton or cotton blends, bright colors like bright yellows and greens or anything that can be washed in hot water. Towels and bed linens also fall into this category (except dark colors).
- "Dark," i.e. dark colors that will fade after repeated washing or fabrics that shouldn't (or shouldn't) be washed in hot water. If in doubt, (such as the red and white striped shirt) choose a cooler water temperature. Wash blue jeans with this pile.
- Red and purple fabrics, sometimes yellow and green fabrics, are quick to fade and often turn white fabrics pink. Separate the red, pink, orange, and the like. If you only have red, wash it with dark clothes.
Step 4. Remove the printed or inscribed inside of the shirt and hat
Movement in the washing machine will slowly damage the print and print on your t-shirt. Also separate the rubber straps that are inside jackets, running pants, and sweatpants so they don't pull on them during the washing or drying process.
Step 5. Set the washing machine according to what you are washing:
the temperature of the water (hot, warm, or cold), and the amount of laundry you loaded. The permanent press setting (if available) is suitable when you are not sure what type of fabric you are washing or the garment does not have washing instructions. In a permanent press, the clothes are soaked in warm water, washed in a gentle motion, and rinsed in cold water.
Step 6. Load the laundry and start the washing machine according to the instructions (with coins or cards)
Put in a cap of laundry soap if you're washing a lot of clothes at once, or follow the directions on the laundry soap package and close the washing machine to start washing.
- Try not to exceed 3/4 of the capacity of the washing machine so that the laundry has room to move while the washing machine is running.
- Arrange so that the weight of the laundry is spread evenly (if your laundry is heavy). Thick blankets or coats can damage the balance of the washing machine tub. Balance the tub by placing the other laundry on the opposite side. Be warned, this problem is often caused by small, heavy objects.
Step 7. Wait
You have 35-45 minutes to relax and make sure no one gets your laundry out of the machine. Don't just leave your laundry, the laundry room is a hotbed for clothes thieves. Use this time to do your homework.
Part 3 of 3: Drying the Laundry
Step 1. After all your clothes have been washed, find a dryer that can accept your load of laundry
In general, one dryer can accommodate twice as much load as a washing machine. Don't force your laundry in if the machine is full, this will increase the time it takes the clothes to dry. It's better to use two dryers for 30-40 minutes than to force one machine to dry for 90 minutes.
- Use the normal/high setting for white fabrics such as cotton T-shirts, sheets, and towels.
- Use a medium setting for dark clothes. You can use a higher setting when washing a lot of dark colored cotton.
- Washable luxury clothing should be air dried, sun dried, or dried on the lowest setting. If in doubt, dry the garment on a low setting or if possible, use an air-dryer to reduce the risk of shrinkage.
Step 2. Check the lint filter if there is one (most commercial dryers don't have this feature)
Clean and dispose of any lint that sticks to the trash. Reinstall the filter after it is clean.
Step 3. Insert the dryer sheet before starting to dry (optional)
Dryer sheets will make your clothes smell good and prevent the occurrence of static electricity on clothes that rub against each other.
Step 4. Load your laundry and start the machine according to the instructions (with coins or cards)
Select the appropriate setting (heavy, normal, light).
Step 5. Wait
You have about 30-60 minutes for the clothes to dry. Use this time to do your homework.
Step 6. Trim the wrinkle-prone parts of the garment as soon as you remove it from the machine to avoid wrinkling
. You can do this by using a hanger or folding it properly. Folding your pants will reduce the load of clean laundry you have to bring home. Try to fold the jeans and baggy pants like they were ironed (flat on the front or with a crease in the bottom center of the front) when you take them out of the machine, depending on the type of fabric, you may not need to iron them again after doing this.
Step 7. Make sure you don't leave anything in the dryer
Double-check everything you wash.
Step 8. Take your clean laundry home
Enjoy the freshness of your own clean laundry.
Tips
- Choose a laundry detergent that smells good to you, or choose an odorless laundry detergent if you prefer.
- If you have a small amount of laundry, you can dry laundry from different piles together.
- To find out which fabrics fade easily when washed, dip some of them in a glass of soapy water. Make it so that the temperature of the water resembles the temperature in the washing machine. If the water becomes colored after the cloth is removed, it must be washed separately or together with cloth of the same color.
- Try to wash at your leisure (except Sunday). Try to wash when people are attending classes or events, or on weekday mornings.
- The more laundry you put in the dryer, the faster the drying time will be. When you dry a small amount of clothes, the drying time will be longer because the clothes are piled up on one side.
- When you take your clothes out of the dryer, they may feel hot and "don't feel dry." Wait a while until you can tell which ones are just hot and which are still not dry.
- Check the inside of your pants to make sure they are completely dry.
- Take care of your clothes during the drying process. If you hear a thumping sound from inside the dryer, stop the machine and rearrange your clothes so that they are even.
- Double-check the amount of laundry detergent you have before washing.
- Make sure you wash using a special laundry detergent. Do not use dish soap or other cleaners that may damage the washing machine and your clothes. You should also be able to distinguish between laundry soap and additives. Clorox 2 is an additive, as are OxiClean, whiteners and softeners. You can add additives when washing, remember that additives cannot be used to replace laundry soap.
