Starting uni is full of firsts: your first freshers’ week, your first shared kitchen disaster, and for many, the first time you’ve had to tackle the laundry on your own. If the sight of overflowing laundry baskets and confusing care labels has you tempted to wear that same hoodie just one more time, you’re not alone. But don’t panic! Here’s a crash course in mastering laundry, without shrinking your clothes or turning everything pink. Make sure you have the Circuit Laundry app downloaded so you can top up your account and get your clothes clean.
Separate Your Colours (Seriously)
It may sound like advice from your nan, but separating whites, darks, and colours really does make a difference. Mixing them risks dye transfer – say goodbye to white socks if you chuck them in with your burgundy hoodie.
Pro tip: If you’re short on time or budget and really do need to do a mixed load, colour catcher sheets (available at most supermarkets) can help prevent colour bleeding.
Learn Your Labels
Clothes have those little care tags for a reason. Ignoring them might mean shrinking your favourite jumper or ruining your flatmate’s borrowed top (awkward). If you see a symbol you don’t recognise, a quick Google will decode it for you.
As a rule of thumb:
- A tub with water = machine washable.
- A hand in water = hand wash only.
- A circle = dry clean (probably not one for your student budget).
Don’t Overload the Machine
It’s tempting to cram everything into one wash, but overloading reduces cleaning power and can damage both clothes and machine. A good rule: if you can’t fit your hand between the laundry and the top of the drum, take some out. Try to get yourself onto a regular laundry schedule, so you’re not leaving it until you’ve got piles and piles to do…
Use the Right Detergent
There are powders, liquids, pods – it’s a jungle out there. All-in-one pods are student-friendly and mess-free. Just be sure to put the pod in before the clothes if your machine requires it (check the packaging).
For sensitive skin, go for non-bio detergent. If you’re eco-conscious or on a budget, supermarket own brands are often just as effective.
Watch the Temperature
Higher temperatures don’t always mean cleaner clothes. In fact, most daily loads are fine at 30°C – it saves energy (protecting the planet!) and looks after your garments. Towels and bedding can go hotter (60°C) to kill germs.
Drying Matters
At Cityheart Living you’ll have access to dryers as well as washing machines, which is great – but don’t put anything too delicate, or made of synthetic fabric, in the dryer. This can cause your clothes to shrink or tear, and we don’t want that! Get yourself a foldable drying rack, which won’t take up too much space but will allow your clothes to dry naturally.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Desperate
As we’ve already mentioned, try to avoid the “laundry mountain” by doing a small load regularly – say once a week. That way, you’re not scrambling for clean socks the morning of a big seminar.
Laundry doesn’t have to be a mystery or a chore. Get into a rhythm, treat your clothes with a bit of care, and you’ll not only save money but also keep your wardrobe looking fresh. Plus, knowing how to handle a wash cycle is just one of those little adulting wins that makes uni life smoother. Ready to face the spin cycle? You’ve got this.
Photo: Annie Spratt
