You asked:

What should I do about dirty laundry when I’m at school? I’ve never even been to a laundromat.

Schools differ in the quality of their laundry provisions, but washers and dryers are usually provided on campus, in dorms or at student centers. If you intend on using an iron, bring your own, since it’s unlikely your laundry room will come equipped with one.

Some washers and dryers are coin-operated, and others work with your student ID. Lines in the laundry room are a common concern, and the best way around them is to do laundry at less busy times. Sunday night is a night to avoid, but Fridays and Saturdays could be good options. You may still have to stake out the laundry room to snag an available washer, so bring some homework.

A good rule of thumb for communal laundry rooms is to get your clothing out immediately, since other people will probably be waiting for the machines.

If you plan to leave the room after loading, set your phone alarm to sync with the end of your wash or dry cycle. Otherwise, you may forget about your clothes (yes, it has been done) or find them on the floor or a counter. To decrease the chances of your clean clothes landing on a not-so-clean surface, leave your basket in the laundry room.

On that note, it’s probably best not to leave your detergent or dryer sheets in the laundry room when you aren’t using them -- you may find them empty next time you need them.

Name: Liz Cruger
School: College of William and Mary
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and English lit
Her deal: This is Liz’s second year as an R.A. for freshmen. She is also involved in several campus activities, including pep band and the belly dance club.

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