How Long Does Laundry Take at a Laundromat?
If you're planning a trip to the laundromat, you want to know how long to block out. The good news: with the right approach, you can get a full load washed, dried, and folded in about an hour. Here in Brenham, TX, our machines at Alamo Laundry are built for speed.
Quick Answer
A typical laundromat visit takes 1 to 1.5 hours: 25-40 minutes washing, 30-45 minutes drying, and 10-15 minutes folding. The big advantage over home laundry is running multiple loads simultaneously—what takes 6-8 hours at home can be done in 90 minutes at a laundromat.
Wash Cycle Times
Washing is the most predictable part of the process. Once you start the machine, the timer tells you exactly how long it will take.
Typical Wash Times by Cycle
- Quick/Express wash: 15-20 minutes — lightly soiled clothes that just need a refresh
- Normal/Regular wash: 25-35 minutes — everyday clothes, the cycle you'll use most often
- Heavy-duty wash: 35-45 minutes — heavily soiled work clothes, towels, and bedding
- Delicate wash: 20-30 minutes — gentle cycle for delicate fabrics
Machine Size Matters
Larger commercial washers often have slightly longer cycles than smaller ones, but they wash more clothes per cycle. A large front-loader might take 35 minutes instead of 25, but it's washing 3-4x the amount of clothing. When you factor in the total laundry volume, bigger machines save significant time.
Dry Cycle Times
Drying is where most of the variation happens. Several factors affect how long your clothes take to dry:
Typical Dry Times by Fabric
- Lightweight clothes (t-shirts, underwear, thin fabrics): 20-30 minutes
- Medium-weight clothes (jeans, hoodies, casual wear): 30-40 minutes
- Heavy items (towels, sweatshirts, thick cotton): 40-50 minutes
- Bulky items (comforters, blankets, pillows): 50-70 minutes
Why Some Loads Dry Faster
The spin cycle on the washer makes a big difference. Modern front-load washers spin at higher speeds, extracting more water from your clothes before they go into the dryer. This can shave 10-15 minutes off drying time compared to top-load washers with slower spin speeds.
Laundromats with well-maintained, large-capacity washers and hot dryers can cut these times even further.
Total Time Breakdown
Here's a realistic breakdown of total time at the laundromat for different scenarios:
| Scenario | Wash | Dry | Fold | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single load (1 person, 1 week) | 30 min | 35 min | 10 min | ~75 min |
| Two loads (couple, 1 week) | 30 min | 35 min | 15 min | ~80 min |
| Three loads (family, 1 week) | 35 min | 40 min | 20 min | ~95 min |
| Comforter or large blanket | 35 min | 55 min | 5 min | ~95 min |
| Full household reset (5+ loads) | 35 min | 45 min | 30 min | ~110 min |
Key insight: Notice how the total time barely increases with more loads. That's because you run multiple washers and dryers simultaneously. Three loads take about the same wall-clock time as one load—you're just using more machines.
How to Speed Things Up
Want to get in and out even faster? Here are proven strategies:
Before You Arrive
- Pre-sort at home. Separate lights, darks, and delicates before you leave. This saves 5-10 minutes of sorting at the laundromat.
- Pre-treat stains. Apply stain remover at home so it has time to work before you wash.
- Bring the right payment. Don't waste time at the change machine—bring quarters or a card ready to go.
At the Laundromat
- Use larger machines. One large load washes faster than two small loads run back to back.
- Start all washers at once. Load and start every machine within a few minutes so they all finish around the same time.
- Transfer to dryers immediately. Don't let wet clothes sit—this wastes time and can lead to mildew smell.
- Don't over-dry. Check clothes 5 minutes before the timer ends. If they're dry, pull them out early.
- Fold while the last load dries. Start folding finished loads while you wait for the last dryer to finish.
Timing Your Visit
- Best times: Early morning (before 9 AM), mid-afternoon weekdays, late evening
- Worst times: Weekend late mornings (10 AM-1 PM), the first and last days of the month
- During off-peak times, every machine is available, so you can start all your loads instantly with no waiting. Brenham-area residents will find weekday mornings especially quiet at Alamo Laundry.
What Takes Longer Than Expected
Some items and situations add time to your laundry day. Plan accordingly:
Bulky Items
Comforters, blankets, and pillows take significantly longer to dry—sometimes 50-70 minutes. They also need a larger washer, which may have a slightly longer wash cycle. Budget about 90-100 minutes for a comforter from start to finish.
Heavily Soiled Clothes
Work clothes with grease, mud, or heavy stains benefit from the heavy-duty cycle, which adds 10-15 minutes to wash time. They may also need a longer dryer cycle if they're thick fabrics like denim or canvas.
Delicates
Items that need low-heat or air-dry settings take longer in the dryer. Some people prefer to air-dry delicates at home to avoid heat damage—in that case, just wash them at the laundromat and skip the dryer.
Waiting for Machines
The biggest time variable is whether machines are available when you arrive. During peak times, you might wait 15-30 minutes for a washer to open up. Visiting during off-peak hours eliminates this completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does one load of laundry take at a laundromat?
About 60-80 minutes total: 25-35 minutes washing, 30-40 minutes drying, and 5-10 minutes folding. This can vary based on the type of clothes and the machines available.
Is a laundromat faster than doing laundry at home?
Yes, significantly. At home, you can only run one washer and one dryer at a time, so 4 loads takes 6-8 hours. At a laundromat, you run all 4 loads simultaneously and finish in about 90 minutes.
How long does it take to dry clothes at a laundromat?
Most loads dry in 30-45 minutes. Lightweight clothes can be done in 20-30 minutes, while heavy items like towels and comforters may take 45-70 minutes. Laundromat dryers run hotter than home dryers, so drying is generally faster.
Can I leave while my laundry is running?
You can step out briefly (wash cycles are 25-35 minutes), but plan to be back before the cycle ends. Don't leave for the entire wash-and-dry process—your clothes could be moved by someone waiting for a machine, and you'll delay your own process.
How long does it take to wash a comforter at a laundromat?
About 90-100 minutes total. The wash cycle is 30-35 minutes, but drying takes longer—usually 50-70 minutes for a thick comforter. Use the largest dryer available and make sure the comforter tumbles freely for even drying.
What's the fastest way to do laundry at a laundromat?
Pre-sort at home, arrive during off-peak hours, use large machines, start all loads simultaneously, transfer to dryers immediately, and fold the first loads while the last dryer finishes. With this approach, even a full household reset can be done in under 2 hours.
How many loads of laundry can I do at once at a laundromat?
As many as there are available machines. Most laundromats have 15-30+ washers and dryers. During off-peak hours, you could easily run 5-6 loads simultaneously. This is the single biggest time advantage a laundromat has over home laundry.
Get In and Out Fast
Alamo Laundry at 624 W Alamo St in Brenham, TX has the largest machines in town. Open 24/7.
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