How to Do Laundry at a Laundromat: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Walking into a laundromat for the first time can feel a little overwhelming. Rows of machines, different sizes, coin slots or card readers—where do you even start? Whether you're new to Brenham or just new to doing laundry on your own, this guide covers everything.

What to Bring to the Laundromat

Being prepared makes your first visit much smoother. Here's what you'll want to have with you:

Essentials

• Dirty laundry — sorted into lights, darks, and delicates if possible
• Laundry detergent — a small bottle or pre-measured pods work great
• Payment — quarters (bring more than you think you'll need) or a debit/credit card if the machines accept them
• Laundry bag or basket — something to carry your clothes in

Optional but Helpful

• Dryer sheets or fabric softener — for static control and softness
• Stain remover pen or spray — for pretreating stains before washing
• A book, phone charger, or headphones — to pass the time while you wait
• A mesh laundry bag — for delicates, socks, and small items that might get lost
• Hangers — if you want to hang items right out of the dryer to prevent wrinkles

Step-by-Step: How to Do Laundry at a Laundromat

Step 1: Choose Your Washer

Laundromats typically have several sizes of washers. Choose the right size for your load:

• Small (top-load or small front-load) — good for a few items or a single outfit
• Medium (front-load) — fits about one week's worth of clothes for one person
• Large (front-load) — great for families or bulky items like comforters and blankets

A good rule of thumb: the drum should be about three-quarters full once loaded. If you're cramming clothes in, go up a size. Overpacking leads to poor cleaning and extra wear on your clothes.

Step 2: Load the Machine

Place your clothes loosely in the drum. Check all pockets for tissues, coins, pens, and anything else that shouldn't go through the wash. Close the door securely.

Pro tip: Turn dark clothes inside out to help preserve their color, and zip up any zippers to prevent snagging.

Step 3: Add Detergent

Most front-load washers have a detergent dispenser drawer—pull it out, add your detergent to the main wash compartment, and push it back in. If you're using pods, toss one directly into the drum before adding your clothes.

How much detergent? Follow the label on your detergent. More isn't better—too much detergent can leave residue on your clothes and cause excess suds that trap dirt.

Step 4: Select Your Cycle and Pay

For most everyday clothes, a normal or regular cycle with cold water works perfectly. Cold water is gentler on fabrics, prevents shrinking, and saves energy.

Use hot water only for:

• White towels and sheets
• Heavily soiled work clothes
• Items that need sanitizing

Insert your quarters or swipe your card to start the machine. Most washers will display the remaining time.

Step 5: Transfer to a Dryer

When the wash cycle finishes, promptly move your clothes to a dryer. Shake each item out as you transfer it—this reduces wrinkles and helps everything dry faster and more evenly.

Step 6: Select Dryer Settings

Choose the right heat level for your fabrics:

• High heat — towels, jeans, cotton basics
• Medium heat — synthetic fabrics, casual clothes
• Low heat — delicates, activewear, anything that might shrink

Add a dryer sheet if you'd like. Insert payment and start the dryer. Most loads take 30-45 minutes, but check a few minutes before the time runs out—you may not need the full cycle.

Step 7: Fold and Go

Remove your clothes from the dryer as soon as it stops to minimize wrinkles. Most laundromats have folding tables—use them to fold everything neatly before packing it into your bag or basket.

Pro tip: Hang button-down shirts and dresses on hangers right out of the dryer. The residual heat helps release wrinkles naturally.

Laundromat Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules

Laundromats are shared spaces. A little courtesy goes a long way:

• Stay nearby. Don't leave for hours. Remove your clothes promptly when the cycle ends so others can use the machines.
• Don't remove someone else's laundry. If a machine finishes and the owner isn't around, wait a few minutes before you gently set their clothes on the folding table.
• Clean up after yourself. Wipe down machines, pick up any lint or dryer sheets, and throw away your trash.
• Don't hog machines. During busy times, be mindful of how many machines you're using. If the laundromat is packed, consider doing fewer loads or coming back at a less busy time.
• Keep noise levels reasonable. Headphones are your friend.
• Watch your children. Laundromats have moving parts, hot surfaces, and chemicals. Keep kids close and supervised.

How Much Time Should You Plan?

For a single load of laundry, plan on about 1 to 1.5 hours:

• Washing: 25-35 minutes
• Drying: 30-45 minutes
• Folding: 10-15 minutes

If you're doing multiple loads, the total time stays about the same because you can run them all at once—that's the biggest advantage of a laundromat over a single washer at home.

The best times to visit are typically early mornings, mid-afternoon on weekdays, and late evenings. Weekends tend to be the busiest, especially late mornings. At Alamo Laundry in Brenham, we're open 24/7, so you can always find a time that works for your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions