Smart Tips for Washing Your Clothes at a Laundromat

Whether you’re a laundromat regular or heading in for the first time, knowing how to get the most out of your wash can save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle. At The Laundromat At, we’re proud to provide clean, safe, and modern laundry facilities 24/7 across central New Jersey—but the best results start with a little prep and know-how.

Here are some tried-and-true laundromat tips to help you get your laundry done faster and better.

1. Sort Your Clothes at Home

Before you even step into the laundromat, take a few minutes to separate your loads. Whites, darks, delicates, towels—all of them wash best on different settings. Doing this ahead of time keeps things organized and helps you avoid using the wrong wash cycle in the rush of the moment.

Pro Tip: Bring each load in its own laundry bag or reusable bin to stay organized and make folding easier later.

2. Bring the Right Supplies

Most laundromats (ours included!) have soap vending machines, but bringing your own detergent and dryer sheets can save money and give you more control over the quality.

What to pack:

  • High-efficiency (HE) detergent

  • Stain remover

  • Dryer sheets or dryer balls

  • A roll of quarters (or check if your laundromat uses a card/app system like we do at our Keyport and Parlin locations!)

3. Choose the Right Washer Size

Not every load needs the biggest machine. At The Laundromat At, our washers range from 20 to 70 lbs, so whether you’ve got a couple of gym outfits or a week’s worth of bedding, there’s a washer that fits.

💡 Best practice:

  • 20–30 lb washer: Small load (clothes for 1 person)

  • 40–50 lb washer: Medium load (family of 2–3)

  • 60–70 lb washer: Large items like comforters, towels, or big family loads

4. Don’t Overload the Machine

It’s tempting to cram everything into one washer—but don’t do it. Overloading can prevent clothes from getting fully clean and puts stress on the machine. Give your clothes room to move and rinse properly.

5. Stay Nearby During Your Cycle

We get it—laundry isn’t the most exciting errand. But staying close while your machine runs helps you avoid delays, stolen clothes (it happens!), or your load being moved by another customer.

Bonus: All of our locations are well-lit, have TVs, and some even have app-based machine monitoring so you can track your load right from your phone.

6. Use the Folding Tables—They’re There for a Reason

Freshly dried clothes wrinkle fast. Folding them as soon as they’re out of the dryer saves you time later (and keeps your bed from becoming the laundry zone). Each of our laundromats has clean folding tables for exactly that purpose.

7. Ask About Wash & Fold Services

Short on time? Most of our locations offer Wash & Fold laundry service—just drop off your dirty clothes, and we’ll wash, dry, and fold them for you using quality products. You’ll pick them up packed, clean, and ready to go. Simple as that.

Some locations even offer pickup and delivery—great for busy families or small businesses.

8. Be Courteous to Other Customers

A little laundromat etiquette goes a long way:

  • Wipe down your machines when you’re done

  • Don’t leave your clothes sitting in washers/dryers

  • Don’t hog all the carts or folding tables

Our spaces are designed to be shared—and we work hard to keep them clean and comfortable for everyone.

Need a Laundromat Near You in NJ?

At The Laundromat At, we’ve got five 24/7 locations in Neptune, Parlin, Long Branch, Keyport, and Lakewood. Whether you’re stopping in at 8 AM or midnight, our laundromats are safe, modern, and fully equipped for any size laundry job.

📍 Find your location → [View All Locations]
📞 Need help? Call or message us → [Contact Us]
🧺 Looking for pickup & delivery? → [Learn More About Services]

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