As a laundromat owner or manager, you want your customers to be completely satisfied with your products and services. While many of them have likely been using laundromats for years and understand how they work (they might even have their own personal preferences in the process – such as a favorite fabric softener or a coin purse they use just for quarters), others are stepping into a brand-new situation. To improve their experience, you might consider posting signage that teaches them how to use a laundromat like a pro. Scroll down to check out some of our best tips.
How to Use a Laundromat Like a Pro
Sort Your Laundry at Home
To avoid wasting time at the laundromat, sort your laundry into colors and whites before you arrive. This is an especially good idea if you know that the laundromat has limited space available. As you sort the clothes, check the pockets to be sure you didn’t leave something behind, like a tissue, a pen, or a stick of gum. In addition, pay attention to the tags on clothes that you suspect require special cleaning techniques. That way, you won’t accidentally launder clothes that are only meant to be dry-cleaned or accidentally dry clothes that are meant to be air-dried.
Pack Everything You Might Need
Before you head out, make sure that you have everything you might need. The following checklist should be a good starting point:
- Pre-sorted laundry
- Quarters, small bills to exchange for change, and/or a credit card (depending on the laundromat’s payment system)
- Laundry detergent
- Fabric softener or bleach (if needed)
- Dryer sheets
- Clean bags for the way home
- Something to entertain yourself with (phone, earbuds, book, etc.)
- A water bottle and/or snack
Check the Washer Before Using
Before using a washing machine at the laundromat, look inside and make sure that the last customer didn’t leave anything behind. If you find something, return it to the clerk if there is one. Otherwise, leave the item on top of the washing machine.
Hang Around or Return Promptly
Will you hang around and wait for your laundry to finish its washing or drying cycle? Or will you leave and come back? If you choose the former, make sure that you bring along something to do in the meantime. You could pack a book, newspaper, or earbuds, but obviously, your phone has a wealth of options available too. You could scroll through social media, watch a video, read emails, or play a game while you wait. If you choose to leave the laundromat, set a timer on your phone to ensure that you return on time. If you’re late, there’s always a risk that someone will remove your clothes from the machine in order to use it.
Go Green
There are a few things you can do to reduce your impact on the environment while doing laundry. First, choose eco-friendly detergent and explore alternatives to dryer sheets. Second, always wash a full load of laundry. If you don’t have a full load, try to wait until you do. And don’t overstuff the machine either, as this can damage the machine and cause inefficient cleaning. Finally, use cold water and low heat whenever possible. For most laundry, hot water simply isn’t necessary. Plus, using cold water is better for delicate fabrics and dark/colorful fabrics, can help remove certain stains, reduces the likelihood of shrinking or fading, and can reduce wrinkles.
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Do you remember your first time doing laundry at a laundromat? It can be intimidating to walk into an establishment where everyone else seems to know what they’re doing. Consider giving your customers a few helpful tips using posters or other signage to ensure that they feel confident in your laundromat. Help them learn how to use a laundromat like a pro.
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