Starting college comes with a lot of firsts: your first dorm room, your first all-nighter, maybe even your first time doing laundry on your own. Don't stress, laundry doesn't have to be complicated or intimidating. With a few simple tips, you can save money, keep your favorite clothes looking sharp, and avoid those "oops" moments (like shrinking a sweater or turning socks pink).
Don't Overload the Machines
It's tempting to toss everything in at once to get laundry out of the way, but overstuffing the machine is one of the quickest ways to end up with clothes that don't come out clean. Washers and dryers need room for water, detergent, and air to circulate. Aim to fill the washer about halfway—maybe a little more, but never all the way. If your clothes look tightly packed, they won't wash or dry properly, and you'll just end up repeating the cycle.
More Detergent Doesn't Equal Cleaner Clothes
When laundry looks extra dirty, it feels natural to pour in more soap. But using too much detergent can actually leave residue, make fabrics stiff, irritate your skin, and even attract more dirt. Stick to the measuring lines on the detergent cap or pod instructions—especially with high-efficiency (HE) machines, which are designed to clean with less soap.
Pretreat Stains Early
The sooner you treat a stain, the better chance you have of getting it out completely. Keep a small stain remover or laundry spray on hand, and pretreat spots as soon as possible before washing. Always follow the instructions on the bottle—different products work best for different types of stains—and remember to read the garment's care label first. Some stain removers can lighten or damage certain fabrics if misused. Taking this extra step saves your favorite clothes from becoming "laundry disasters."
Sort Lights, Darks, and Delicates
Sorting might sound old-fashioned, but it's still the best way to keep your clothes in good condition. Here's a quick guide:
- Whites & lights: Wash together to keep them bright.
- Darks: Keep jeans, hoodies, and black tees separate so colors don't bleed.
- Delicates: Use a mesh laundry bag for underwear, workout clothes, and anything that might stretch or snag.
Skipping this step can mean faded colors, ruined fabrics, and clothes that don't last the semester.
Learn to Read Fabric Care Labels
Every piece of clothing comes with its own set of laundry instructions—it's just written in symbols. Those little tags tell you the safest wash cycle, water temperature, and drying method for each item.
Download Your Free Fabric Care Label Guide
Confused by all those laundry symbols? Don't worry—we've made it easy. Grab our free PDF guide here and keep it handy in your dorm room or on your phone. It's the perfect quick reference when you're not sure which cycle or dryer setting to choose.
Save Time with Wash-and-Fold
Let's be real—between classes, sports, and late-night study sessions, laundry isn't always the top priority. That's why many laundromats (including Lapels) offer wash-and-fold service. You drop your clothes off, and they come back clean, folded, and ready to put away. With modern machines and app-based payments, you'll never fumble for quarters or waste time waiting around.
When to Choose Dry Cleaning
Some clothes just aren't meant for the washer. Suits, wool sweaters, silk blouses, or anything delicate often need dry cleaning. But not all dry cleaning is created equal.
At Lapels, we only recommend GreenEarth Cleaning, the world's only environmentally non-toxic dry cleaning system. Traditional dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals that can be tough on fabrics and the planet. GreenEarth, on the other hand, is gentle, odor-free, safe for sensitive skin, and keeps your clothes looking newer for longer. It's the smart choice for your professional and delicate garments.
Top 5 Common College Stains & How to Treat Them
Laundry emergencies happen—coffee spills before class, pizza sauce during a late-night study session, or a grass stain from intramurals. Don't panic—here are five of the most common stains college students face, plus quick tips to tackle them.
- β Coffee Act fast: Blot (don't rub) with a paper towel or cloth to absorb excess liquid. Pretreat: Apply a stain remover or a little liquid laundry detergent directly to the spot. Wash: Launder in the warmest water safe for the fabric.
- π Pizza Grease Step 1: Place a paper towel under the fabric to absorb excess oil. Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the spot for 10-15 minutes to draw out grease. Step 3: Brush off, pretreat with stain remover, and wash in hot water (check fabric label first).
- π· Red Wine (or Juice) Blot immediately with a clean cloth—never rub. Pretreat: Use a stain remover or mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap + 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in 2 cups of cool water. Wash: Cold water cycle. Repeat if needed before drying (heat sets wine stains).
- π± Grass Pretreat: Rub liquid detergent or a mixture of detergent + a few drops of white vinegar into the stain. Scrub gently: With a soft brush or cloth to loosen the pigment. Wash: Warm water with regular detergent.
- πTomato Sauce Remove excess: Scrape gently with a spoon (don't spread it further). Rinse: Run cold water through the back of the stain. Pretreat: Apply stain remover or liquid detergent. For stubborn stains, add a little white vinegar. Wash: In warm water—double-check before drying, as tomato can set if heated. π Pro Tip: Always pretreat stains before washing, and double-check that the stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer—heat will "lock it in."
Final Tip: Don't Stress About Laundry Laundry is just another part of adulting—and like anything else, you'll get better at it the more you practice. Even if you make a mistake here and there, following these basics—don't overload, measure detergent, pretreat stains, sort your clothes, check the labels, and know when to dry clean—will help you stay ahead. And remember, at Lapels Laundromat, we're here to make laundry easier. Whether you're tackling it yourself with our modern, quarter-free machines, dropping it off for wash-and-fold, or trusting us with your GreenEarth dry cleaning, we've got your back.