Celebrating Weight Loss

Doing your laundry at the laundromat can actually be an economical choice. You don't have to buy your own washer and dryer, and you don't have to pay to maintain the equipment, either. That being said, there is no reason to pay more than you have to in order to wash clothing at the laundromat. Here are some key tips to help you save.

Choose a washer size based on how many clothes you have to wash.

Some people get into the habit of using a specific size washer regardless of how many clothes they have to wash that day. But with some flexibility, you can save a few bucks. Check how many clothes you have to wash, and select the smallest washer that they can comfortably fit into. Laundromats typically charge less for smaller washers than larger ones, so you can save a little money each time you're able to downsize. It might only be a dollar at a time, but it adds up.

Dry one segment at a time.

Generally, when you dry clothing at the laundromat, you pay a certain price per 10 or 15 minutes. People often just guess and put their clothes in for a set amount of time. But with this approach, you might be over-drying your clothing and paying more than you need to pay. Try instead putting the dryer on for one segment at a time. In other words, dry your clothing for 15 minutes. Check to see how dry it is. If it's not dry enough, put it on for another 15 minutes. Repeat, if needed.

Empty the lint filter before drying.

Dryers work a lot less efficiently if the lint trap is full. So, before you dry your clothing, check and empty the lint trap. You might be surprised how full the lint trap is. A lot of customers don't think about emptying it.

Bring your own bottles of detergent.

Most laundromats sell single-use packets of detergent. These are convenient, but you'll pay more per load than you would if you were to buy a big bottle of detergent. Sure, you'll have to remember to bring the bottle with you every time you go to the laundromat, but the savings are worth this effort.

If you adhere to the tips above, you'll find yourself spending less money at the laundromat. This is important if you're on a budget or just trying to be more responsible with your spending. For more information, visit a local laundromat, like First Street Laundromat.