How to best use your laundry

Quick Guide on How to Wash Your Clothes!  

Living in university accommodation? Let’s walk you through how to do your laundry properly using the Washco machines at the University of Southampton. 

Step 1: Separate your laundry. You’ll want to make two piles: whites and darks. Why? When washing, colours from new clothes may run, and you don’t want your whites turning blue! Light colours like white, cream, or pale pastels go in the ‘whites’ pile. Everything else goes in the ‘darks’ pile. 

Step 2: Check the care tags on your clothes. They’ll tell you how to wash and dry each item. Pay close attention to the fabric type and any special instructions.  

Step 3: Be sustainable! Whenever possible, wash your clothes with a full load to save water and energy. It’s not necessary to separate your underwear, t-shirts, and trousers. Use the default cold wash for most washes, as it’s more eco-friendly, protects your clothes, and stops stains like blood, sweat, and mud from becoming harder to remove. Simple steps like this help reduce your environmental impact while keeping your clothes clean! 

Step 4: Check your pockets! Before starting your wash, double-check your pockets for any items like coins, keys, or receipts. These can damage your clothes or the machine, so it's always best to clear them out before tossing your clothes in. 

At University of Southampton, the detergent and fabric softener are included. Just pop in your clothes, select your programme, and press start! If you have allergies, there are machines available where you can add your own detergent labelled as 'please add detergent and fabric conditioner directly to the drum' 

Step 5: Tumble-dryer. Once your wash is finished, move your clothes to the dryer. For whites, use the regular/heavy setting. For regular-coloured clothes, go with the permanent press. And for delicates, select the delicate cycle. 

Final Step: Be mindful of the next users. When your laundry is done, take it out of the machine right away. Don’t leave it overnight, as others may need to use the machines. This small, thoughtful action helps keep the laundry room running smoothly for everyone! 

And that’s it—your laundry done in just a few simple steps ^^