Trap Lint, Not Pounds

How to launder clothes without laundering money

Look, I'm not saying the guy who sets laundry prices is necessarily Scrooge McDuck working under a pseudonym. But one cannot deny that the eye-watering prices for a wash-and-dry cycle give you the distinctive feeling that you might as well wash the cash down the drain and save the machine the trouble.

Now, of course, this isn't the story for all of us. Some of our fellow students have the fortune of their hygiene needs being covered by the rent. If you are amongst the gentry residing in Bankside, Butler's Wharf, Carr-Saunders, High Holborn, Passfield, or Rosebery, I have been informed that one pre-loaded wash-and-dry cycle per week is included in your amenities.

But for the rest of us plebeians, unfortunately, the situation differs significantly, bringing the total cost per full wash + dry to somewhere very uncomfortable for an international student's budget.

Now, this blog is not meant to walk you through the basics like setting up the app, paying for a load, operating the machines, etc. I am going to assume you've at least entered the laundry room once and, like me, come away with a profound hatred for the evils of Big Washing Machine (I knew no one could really be 'squeaky clean').

If you're looking to get set up instead, there are plenty of very informative blogs on the topic you can find on this very site, and if all else fails, the FAQs on your respective accommodation pages should get you all set up.

What this blog is meant to do is to help you keep the two years of life you lose to a blood pressure surge every time you have to make that transaction, and get yourself a clean wardrobe without cleaning out your bank account in the process.

There is little that improves one's mood like fresh clothes, and with all those readings being assigned, the good lord above knows we need all the help we can get.

Bulk Up Your Loads

Remember, you aren't paying by weight. It doesn't matter if you're washing everything and the kitchen sink or one solitary sock (for some reason): the machine charges you just the same.

So... don't wash one sock. If your goal is to save as much money as possible, you have to look to get the maximum bang for your buck out of every single wash cycle. In simple terms, if the drum is only half full, it probably isn't time for laundry yet. Save your load until you can fill the drum to around three-quarters of its capacity. That way, you'll be able to pay for that wash in peace while making sure half of those pounds isn't soaping up empty air. An added benefit, regardless of your hall of residence, is that you'll save on detergent as well, bringing your overall costs down even further.

Of course, though it might be tempting to do so, do not cram the drum with so much stuff that the lid doesn't close right. Most washing machines do not function optimally without some empty space, and even if you don't cause any damage, your clothes might come out dirtier than you would have liked, and a second wash really goes against the principle we are trying to establish here. Therefore, be prudent.

Not Everything Needs a Wash

I'm going to hold your hand while I say this: just because you've worn it doesn't mean it needs to go in the laundry.

I know, I know. Put those rotten tomatoes away, please. While I understand the above must feel like sacrilege, especially to those of us who come from hot and humid countries (like me), the rules are quite different here in London.

Unless you've been doing really strenuous activity, the climate here means that most things just don't get that dirty. If the item is not touching your skin, chances are it can go quite a few wears without needing a trip to the laundry room. Things like overcoats can even be washed seasonally without issue.

Now, of course, your clothes will not be in the best condition throughout this period, but they will, in most cases, still be perfectly usable, which means that's one less tap/swipe/whatever whatchamacallit you use on your balance sheet.

Of course, this does vary according to the circumstances: stains and visible dirt usually require immediate attention. Buying a fabric freshener spray may also be a worthwhile investment; proper usage could, in the best circumstances, save you quite a few washes.

Do bear in mind that underwear and socks are an exception to this and should generally be washed after every use. If you don't have enough of those, the one-time cost of buying a few pairs should be relatively much cheaper than that of washing them repeatedly. You should ideally have enough of both to last at least a week without a wash.

Separating is for Chumps

Okay, not really. Separating whites and colours is usually a very good move. Hell, ideally, you should also separate dark and light colours, and cotton and synthetics, and so on.

Unfortunately, we do not live in an idyllic world. We live in Hobbes' Leviathan, if the said Leviathan were composed of detergent and coins. Considering the vast ecological diversity of the clothing that resides within a university student's closet, the fantasy of beautifully sorted washes must remain just that.

Colours from clothing usually bleed through because of strain and water temperature. Realistically, unless an item is really, and I mean really, dirty, a cold wash is more than enough to get it clean. In fact, many items such as denim usually cannot tolerate warmer temperatures anyway, making cold water the best all-round solution for the mixed loads you will doubtlessly be wanting to prepare if you paid any attention at all to the rest of this article.

This means that setting the water temperature to cold (and, for maximum safety, choosing a gentle or hand wash option, or a dedicated mixed load option if available) will often make it safe to wash whites and colours, as well as different materials, together.

Do note the emphasis on the 'often' there, as there are exceptions to this rule. New clothes are often liable to shed dyes on their first wash, so do be careful if you have any in your hamper.

You also shouldn't mix items like bath towels and linen with your clothes, as they frequently require hotter temperatures, shed a lot of lint, and can often entangle or wrap around clothing in the wash cycle, damaging them or preventing effective cleaning. Those things should ideally be washed in a separate, dedicated cycle.

To better protect your clothes, turn them inside out and use mesh bags for delicate silk or linen items. Additionally, always check garment labels, especially for expensive or well-loved clothes: some garments just really don't like being mixed, no matter how much you may want to.

However, do note that while this is broadly safe, accidents do happen, and no measure can truly guarantee that there will never be any bleeding or other accidents. If you're cutting corners, be prepared for possible consequences.

Skip the Dryer

Yes, I saved the simplest and most uncontroversial tip for last, because I knew you lot wouldn't read this far without some engagement bait. Sue me (please don't).

This would have occurred to most of you already, but the 'drying' component of that infamous wash-and-dry cycle isn't all that indispensable, especially given its cost. Air drying works just fine for almost every article of clothing you will ever own, and indeed might even be recommended. Materials such as silk, wool, spandex, or denim, as well as graphic prints, sequins, etc., often cannot tolerate a tumble dryer at all, and may be damaged if you attempt to force them through anyway.

A drying rack for your room is already a relatively cheap addition that can fold away when not in use to preserve space, but it will more than make up for its cost in the number of dryer cycles it will save you. Use that spin cycle on the washer to get as much loose water out as you can, then hang the damp stuff out on the rack, preferably near your window or the radiator (not on top of the radiator, near the radiator). Before you know it, you'll have perfectly dry and usable clothes, and a few extra pounds to waste on something stupid anyway, as students do.

Of course, be mindful of the humidity buildup in your room. A few items are usually not a cause for concern, but if you see condensation buildup occurring, it might be worth cracking the window open and wiping down the walls. If washing large items like duvet covers or bed linen, it might be worth coughing up for a tumble dry after all, rather than lugging that sopping mess back to your room. Remember, no amount of money is worth mould in your air vents.

In conclusion, as long as your little perfectionist heart can tolerate a few suboptimal decisions, your laundry bill at LSE probably won't leave your parents threatening to disinherit you and/or sell off the family dog to save money. But I also realise that people in the habit of making many suboptimal decisions don't usually end up getting the opportunity to do laundry at LSE, so if your heart leaps at the prospect of minty fresh detergent in your nose every week, no matter the cost, then by all means, don't let me stop you.

If, however, you're already contemplating insurance fraud to get those shirts clean, I hope that these tips will make your life that much easier and restore you to an upstanding civic life. The rest, dear reader, I leave in your capable(?) hands and laundry compartment.

Oh, and if you get any cool dye patterns on that expensive white dress shirt, I call dibs on the photos.