Plenty of students arrive at college having never run a washing machine. That's fine. Dorm laundry is simple once you've done it twice. Here's everything you need to know, from what to bring to how to avoid shrinking your favorite hoodie.
What you need
- A hamper or laundry bag. Something you can carry down the hall. In a small room, a hanging hamper saves floor space.
- Detergent. Pods are the easiest to carry. Liquid gives you more control.
- A stain stick. Treat stains before they set.
- A drying rack. For things that shouldn't go in the dryer.
- Payment. Quarters, a laundry card or an app, depending on your building.
Step by step
1. Sort
Two piles are enough for most students:
- Darks: jeans, black and navy clothes, dark sweats.
- Lights: white T-shirts, light colors, socks and underwear.
Towels can go with darks or in their own load. Keep anything new and brightly colored out of your lights for the first few washes.
2. Check pockets
Lip balm, pens, receipts and earbuds have ended more laundry days than anything else. Check every pocket.
3. Treat stains
Rub stain remover on spots before washing. Don't put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is gone, because heat sets it.
4. Load the washer
Fill the drum loosely, about three quarters full. Shared machines are often large-capacity, so a week of clothes usually fits in one or two loads.
5. Add detergent
One pod or the amount shown on the detergent cap. More soap doesn't mean cleaner clothes.
6. Pick the settings
- Cold water for most clothes. It saves color and prevents shrinking.
- Warm water for towels, sheets and very dirty gym clothes.
- Normal cycle for almost everything.
7. Set a timer
Set an alarm on your phone for the end of the wash. Leaving wet clothes in a shared machine is the fastest way to annoy your floor, and the clothes will smell if left too long.
8. Dry
Clean the lint trap, then dry on medium or low heat. Hang anything with a "do not tumble dry" label, sweaters, and athletic gear with printed numbers.
9. Fold right away
Fold or hang clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer. You'll avoid wrinkles and avoid living out of a laundry bag for a week.
How often to wash what
- Underwear and socks: after every wear.
- Gym clothes: after every wear.
- T-shirts: after one or two wears.
- Jeans: every several wears, unless they're dirty.
- Hoodies and sweaters: every few wears.
- Sheets: every one to two weeks.
- Towels: about once a week.
For sports gear, see our guide to washing sports uniforms.
Laundry room etiquette
- Don't leave clothes in machines after the cycle ends.
- If someone left clothes in a dryer, give it a few minutes before moving them, and move them carefully onto a clean surface.
- Clean the lint trap when you're done.
- Don't take more machines than you need when the room is busy.
Common mistakes
- Washing everything on hot. It fades colors and shrinks cotton.
- Overloading. Clothes come out still dirty.
- Forgetting the dryer. Wrinkles and lost socks follow. Our article on losing socks in the laundry has fixes.
- Waiting too long. If your hamper is overflowing, you've waited too long. Smaller weekly loads are easier than a monthly mountain.
Make laundry day easier
Pick one day a week and stick to it. Sunday mornings are often quiet in dorm laundry rooms. If your hamper empties from the bottom straight into a basket or bag, getting the load downstairs is quicker.
Where Sockshot fits
Sockshot is the over-the-door hamper we make. It saves floor space in a dorm, needs no drilling, and the mesh bag unzips at the bottom so you can drop a week of laundry into a bag or basket in one go. It also has a mini hoop on top, which roommates tend to notice.
FAQ
How often should college students do laundry?
Once a week works for most students. If you work out a lot, you may need a second smaller load.
Can I wash towels with clothes?
Yes, with darks, though towels shed lint. A separate towel load every week or two is best.
Do I need fabric softener?
No. It's optional. Dryer sheets can reduce static, but they aren't needed.
