Self Service Laundry Guide
Do you dread dragging your clothes up and down flights of stairs? Does the thought of waiting in line or driving out of your way to do laundry at a local laundromat make you pull the covers over your head? Self service laundry doesn’t have to be a negative experience.
If you’re considering self service laundry, but don’t know where to start, no worries! Our complete guide covers everything from how self-service laundry works, what kind of benefits it offers, pricing information, and more—so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.
How Self Service Laundry Works?
Self service laundry is different from full service laundry in that you do your own laundry at a laundromat. On the other hand, full service laundry allows you to drop it off or schedule pick up and have someone else do it for you.
Steps To Use a Self Service Laundromat:
- Choose a machine – When you arrive at the laundromat, you’ll need to choose a washing machine and/or dryer that fits your laundry needs. Choose the size that best fits your load. For example a 20 lb machine holds 2 laundry baskets, and a 40 lb machine can hold 4 baskets of laundry. IE: If you have a basket of lights and a basket of darks, choose 2 / 20lb machines.
- Load the machine – Once you’ve chosen your machine, load it with your dirty clothes and add detergent, softener, bleach or scent beads into the designated areas. Top loaders and front load washers offer different places to put the chemicals.
- Insert payment – The machine requires payment to start. Keep in mind that there are several payment option types out there, but most laundromats offer only one or two choices. So choose your laundromat based on the payment type that you like best. Coin, card or app operated laundromats exist to give you freedom of payment choice.
- Start the machine – Once payment is made, start the machine and let it run for the appropriate amount of time, usually displayed on the machine. Remember, your laundry is valuable, but laundromats are use at your own risk. Meaning the laundromat is not responsible for lost or stolen items. So never leave your laundry unattended!
- Transfer to the dryer – After the washing cycle is complete, transfer your clothes to a dryer and repeat steps 3 and 4.
- Fold and go – Once the drying cycle is complete, retrieve your clothes and fold them. Our laundromats provide folding tables for customer use. As a common courtesy, be sure to unload your machine as soon as the cycle is complete.
How To Choose A Laundromat
When choosing a laundromat, you will want to consider these key factors to make your laundry day easier and more affordable.
- Location – Choosing a laundromat close to your residence will save you time and money in gas and travel.
- Laundromat Hours – Knowing your laundromat’s hours will allow you to set your own schedule. Finding a laundromat like Laundry City that is open 24/7 is the best for convenience.
- Rewards – Look for a rewards program at the laundromat. Do they offer free drying or discounts for being a loyal customer, and are there any other perks like free events, contests, drawings or regular discounts? These all save you money over time, and ensure that your laundromat has your best interest in mind.
- Reviews – Read the reviews, if they are for the most part positive, and have the occasional negative review. Review what the customers good and bad have to say, and determine if the good outweighs the bad. As with any business, any laundromat will have a machine break down or a bathroom be out of order. So take all reviews with a grain of salt.
Understanding Pricing
Most people want to know how much it costs to use a laundromat. However, that entirely depends on you. Every laundromat has a base price for each size machine. That price will change though depending on which options you choose to use. Things like, hot water, cold water, extra rinses, etc… can all affect the pricing.
If your laundromat offers free drying, they usually give you a certain amount of drying minutes free with every wash. This is why it’s important to choose the correct size machine for your load size. An over or underloaded washer or dryer WILL cost you more money in the long run. Overloaded dryers can take twice as long to dry, and underloaded machines means you are paying more than you need to pay.
Get Your Laundry Done on your Own Schedule with Laundry City
Laundry City offers two convenient, card-operated laundromat locations in Baltimore, MD. Each of our locations offers, loads of washers, and dryers, folding areas, laundry carts, ample off-street parking, security cameras, and a loyalty rewards program. Plus if you ever want a break from doing laundry, you can schedule pick-up and delivery online and let us do it for you. Give Laundry City a try today!
- 3421 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD
- 5200 Moravia Rd, Baltimore, MD
