How to do Laundry for College Students

Amber Henry, Oscar Salazar, Emanuel Velazquez, Peter Jelinski

Table of Contents iii

Table of Contents

ContentsTable of Contents............................................................................................iiiIntroduction.....................................................................................................vChapter 1: List of Supplies/Equipment.............................................................7Chapter 1........................................................................................................ixChapter 2: Instructions..................................................................................11Chapter 2.......................................................................................................13

Step 1: Separating into “Loads”.................................................................13Step 2: Preparing the Washing Machine.....................................................14Step 3: Filling the washing machine/Loading Laundry...............................15Step 4: Drying.............................................................................................17

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting...........................................................................19Chapter 3.......................................................................................................21Index..............................................................................................................25

Introduction v

Introduction

Students starting their first year in college have a million things on their mind, and sometimes put off washing clothes thinking it’s a hassle. In reality washing clothes can be done quickly if done correctly, and give you free time to do other chores in between washes. This guide was created to help not only students, (yeah I know the title says college students) but anyone who wants to learn how to wash their clothes quickly and efficiently using a washer and dryer. Using a washer and dryer is cheaper than having it washed at a drycleaners, and definitely easier than hand washing your clothes. A lot of college dorms have basic washing machines that are more than enough to wash the average students wash load, and if you happen to not be lucky, or live at apartments, there are many coin wash businesses you can go to wash your clothes for a few bucks. Just remember to bring your own supplies. These places charge premiums on their stuff! Hopefully you find this guide helpful and get something out of it to make you washing experience a little more efficient. With that said let’s move on to the fun stuff! First the basics…

Chapter 1: List of Supplies/Equipment

Introduction ix

Chapter 1

Laundry DetergentThere are large varieties of different types of detergents. From liquid detergents, powders, and pods to scented detergent and color boosters. All these are great, but really all you need is regular detergent. Liquids, powders, and pods all do the same job. It’s just all about preference from there. The only difference is where you apply the detergents. BleachBleach is good for many things and whitening clothes is one of them. Make sure you use this on whites only! Your colored clothes will lose their color if you put this on them. If you don’t want to use bleach don’t sweat there plenty of alternatives out there that are safe on colors and good for whites. Fabric SoftenerThis is used to prevent static cling. This is due to the clothes all rubbing together. You can either get liquid fabric softener which is put in the washer or dryer sheets which you put in the dryer. Stain RemoverYou can find products that specialize in removing stain removing. This is usually added in the washer. Some are used before the wash and are applied on the specific stain.Washer There are hundreds of different types of washers all with different kinds of settings. A washer with a regular washing cycle is enough.

Dryer Dyers also have a variety of settings, not as much as washers, but are generally three major ones: High heat, Medium heat, and low heat (sometimes referred to as the delicate settings)

And of course Dirty Laundry!

x How to do Laundry for College Students*Some products have a combination. Ex: Detergent with fabric softener, Detergent with stain remov

Chapter 2: Instructions

Chapter 2 13

Chapter 2

Step 1: Separating into “Loads”1. Gather up a pile of dirty clothes that need to be washed.

2. Set aside clothes that are considered “delicate”. Delicates should be washed all at once on the delicate wash cycle. These are clothes such as specific sweaters, dress shirts and dresses and will usually be labeled “hand wash” or “dry clean only”.

3. Separate the remainder of the clothes into two piles; whites and colors. Separating/washing only whites will keep them from getting dull, however this last step is optional.

Step 2: Preparing the Washing Machine1. Determine how big of a load should go in. The size of the load determines which wash

cycle will be used. It is perfectly okay to do smaller loads, however it is important not to

14 How to do Laundry for College Students

stuff the washer. Overfilling the washer with clothes can be harmful to clothes as well as the machine.

2. Set the washer dial on the suitable temperature. o Normal, whites: Hot wash, cold rinseo Normal, colors: Warm wash, cold/warm rinseo Delicates (any color): Cold wash, cold rinseo Permanent press: Cold wash, cold rinse

3. Set the washer dial on the suitable type of wash.o Normal, whites: Regular cycle

Chapter 2 15

o Normal, colors: Regular cycle o Delicates (any color): Delicate cycle (shortest)o Permanent press: Permanent press cycle

Step 3: Filling the washing machine/Loading Laundry1. Use the instructions provided on the bottle of detergent. Different types of detergent

work differently For example, if you are using:o Liquid detergent, you will need to pour the indicated amount for the size load

you are washing directly on the washing machine tub. o Detergent “PODS”, these will simply be placed in the load of clothes

16 How to do Laundry for College Students

2. Start the wash cycle. This is usually done by pushing in the knob, rotating it so that it is on the correct wash cycle, followed by pulling out the knob to start the cycle.

3. Once water has begun to fill, add the clothes. REMEMBER* to check pockets before loading.

4. Close the lid and wait for the cycle to end.

Chapter 2 17

5. If softener or bleach is being used, follow instructions on bottle. The bottle will also provide instructions on when to add softener or bleach during a wash cycle.

Step 4: Drying1. Once the washing machine has turned, it is time to move the clothes to the dryer.

Shake out each item as you take it out of the washing machine. This minimizes wrinkles and cuts down on drying time.

2. Adding a dryer sheet is common, however, this step is optional and unnecessary if liquid fabric softener was used.

18 How to do Laundry for College Students

3. Determine what drying cycle to use.o Normal clothes: Timed dry (high heat)o Permanent press: Auto dry Perm. Press (medium heat)o Delicates: Delicate dry (low heat)

4. Note, oftentimes delicates are hung rather ran through a delicate dry because of shrinking, wrinkles, and tearing.

5. Removing clothes as soon as possible once the dry cycle has completed is important in preventing wrinkles from setting in.

Chapter 3: Troubleshooting

Chapter 3 21

Chapter 3

TROUBLESHOOTINGSheets and Bedding

Sheets

Usually there’s an option for this on the cycle options which specifically targets sheets. Though you can use a smaller detergent amount and softener (optional), run laundry like normal.

Bedding

Since there isn’t another option on the washing machine for it like the sheets, you can just wash laundry like normal. Just go by the space it takes up in the washing machine to measure the load size and detergent amount and softener (optional).

22 How to do Laundry for College Students

Blankets & Afghans/QuiltsBlankets

Wash blankets using cold water on the most gentle cycle. When the machine gets to the rinse cycle, add fabric softener (optional). Allow the blanket to air dry. This prevents pilling from happening. Pilling occurs when the blanket rubs against itself while in the dryer.

Afghans/Quilts

The preferable way to wash afghans or quilts is by hand. To do this, you need to fill up a deep sink or tub with cold water. Make sure what you choose to wash in is clean and does not have any residue. Use a gentle liquid detergent without perfumes or dyes; this can damage the quilt or afghan. Add a half cup vinegar to the water to brighten colors and make the quilt more soft.Immerse the quilt into the water, assuring to soak the whole quilt. Move the quilt around the water slowly. Soak the quilt for 10 minutes. Lastly, drain the water and fill the tub with fresh water. Repeat this step until the water and quilt have no suds.

Chapter 3 23

Removing Stains

Deodorant

Use Clorox liquid bleach and normal detergent in the hottest water setting allowed for the fabric. If the stain changed the fabric color, you can try to restore color by pouring ammonia (fresh stains) or vinegar (old stains). Never mix ammonia or vinegar with bleach.

Blood

Rinse stain in cool water and use a stain remover like Shout as a pretreatment. Rinse and repeat process if needed. Wash clothes like normal

adding Ultra Clorox Bleach. Makeup

Use a stain remover like Shout and lightly rub into stain; let it stand for 5 minutes. Then wash clothes like normal with detergent and bleach in the hottest water allowed for the fabric.

Coffee, Tea, Wine, and Softdrinks

Use liquid Clorox 2 as a pretreatment. Immediately wash like normal with detergent and Clorox liquid bleach in the hottest water allowed for the fabric.

Bleeding Dye

Stain removal for this is very hard. To prevent this from happening again, sort laundry by color, and always remove clothes from washing machine immediately when finished. Re-wash laundry with this stain immediately with detergent and Clorox liquid bleach. For all white laundry only: use a color remover/stripper.

24 How to do Laundry for College Students

PillowsCheck the label on the pillows and to see the washing instruction for the pillows. Though most pillows can wash normally in the machine without much issue, always check the label.

The detergent amount is found based on the space the pillows take up in the washing machine. Always wash pillows in pairs because it will balance the washing machine and prevent issues concerning the spin cycle.

Even out the cotton inside the pillows-by fluffing them-before drying this way the pillows will not have lumps in them after drying in the dryer.

Index 25

IndexDelicates, 13, 14, 15, 18detergent, ix, 15, 23, 24, 25, 26Drying, iii, 17

washing, iii, v, ix, 13, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26