Laundry Via Washing Machine

When you are apartment-hunting, the proximity of a laundromat to the apartment should be one of your main qualifications. The closer you are to it, the more time you save. Once you get to the laundromat, if you have not used a washing machine before, don’t be afraid. Although, there are all sorts of washing machines around the world, front loading machines, top loading machines, smaller machines for household use, and larger machines for industrial use, there are usually instructions posted next to it or on the lid that will tell you how to use the machine. Read the machine’s instructions before you dump your clothes in the hole. What you should take note of when reading the instructions is how to change the water settings. If you are washing dark clothes, you’ll want cold water so the colors won’t bleed. You’ll want warm water for whites. If you’re using a washing machine in a public place and are too embarrassed to read the instructions, go early in the morning when there are less people. If you are studying in Japan and the instructions are in Japanese, ask a local for help.


One thing you should remember when washing clothes via washing machine is that the soap should go first. In Tricia’s absent-mindedness, she often puts the clothes in and then the laundry soap. (She uses a top-loading machine.) Her clothes then turn up with specs of detergent on them. Other reminders :

1) You can use a stain remover spray or gel to remove stains

2) If you have time, turn your clothes inside out to reduce abrasion and fading.

3) Don’t overload the washing machine. Make sure your clothes are below the indicated limit of the machine. When over loaded, the washing machine won’t have space to squish the suds out of your clothes.

Tip: For whiter whites. 1) Start the washing machine choosing the warm water setting. Add detergent and Clorox. 2) Agitate the water for a minute or so. 3) Stop and then load laundry. 4) Start washing machine for a few minutes and then stop! 5) Soak for 15 minutes and then resume washing to loosen the dirt. –Hector Tiongson, Georgetown University, Washington DC