📖 Laundry Tips & Blog

Practical advice, troubleshooting guides, and helpful tips to make laundry day easier — from your friends at Elena's.

Beginner's Guide

First Time at a Laundromat? Here's What to Know

Whether you're a college student, new to the area, or just haven't used a laundromat before — welcome! Here's a quick rundown so your first visit goes smoothly.

What to Bring

  • Your laundry — sorted by color if possible (lights, darks, whites)
  • Detergent — bring your own or purchase from our vending machines
  • Quarters or bills — we have a bill changer on-site
  • A laundry bag or basket — makes transport easier
  • Something to do — bring your phone, a book, or homework. We have free WiFi!

How Our Machines Work

Our washers range from $4 to $10 per load depending on size. Choose a washer that fits your load — don't overstuff it, and don't pay for a large machine if a small one will do. Add detergent, insert payment, select your cycle, and close the door. Dryers start at $1.50 per cycle. Most loads need one to two cycles to fully dry.

💡 Pro tip: If you're not sure which size washer to use, start smaller. You can always split into two loads. Overstuffing means your clothes won't get clean and the machine works harder.
⚠️ Important: Please stay with your laundry during your wash and dry cycles. We cannot be responsible for unattended items. This is for your protection.
Laundry 101

How to Sort Your Laundry (And Why It Actually Matters)

Sorting isn't just something your mom told you to do. It genuinely protects your clothes, prevents color bleeding, and helps everything come out cleaner.

The Basic Sort

  • Whites: T-shirts, socks, underwear, towels in white or very light colors. Wash in warm or hot water.
  • Darks: Jeans, dark t-shirts, black socks. Wash in cold water to prevent fading.
  • Colors / Lights: Pastels, medium-toned items. Cold or warm water.
  • Delicates: Bras, lace, silk, thin fabrics. Use a mesh bag and the gentle cycle.
  • Heavily Soiled: Work clothes, muddy items, kids' play clothes. Wash separately on a heavier cycle.
💡 Color Catcher sheets (like Shout Color Catcher) are a lifesaver if you're short on time and need to combine loads. They trap loose dyes in the wash so colors don't bleed onto other items. We recommend them — grab some on Amazon.
Troubleshooting

Common Stain Emergencies & How to Fix Them

The golden rule of stain removal: treat it as fast as possible and don't put it in the dryer until the stain is gone. Heat sets stains permanently.

Grease & Oil Stains (Food, Cooking Oil, Butter)

Apply dish soap (Dawn works great) directly to the stain. Rub it in gently and let it sit for 15–30 minutes. Then wash in the warmest water the fabric allows. Check before drying — if the stain remains, repeat the treatment.

Blood Stains

Always use COLD water — hot water cooks the protein and sets the stain. Soak in cold water immediately. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain for white fabrics, or use cold water and soap for colored fabrics. Wash on cold.

Grass Stains

Pre-treat with a paste of baking soda and water, or use a pre-treatment spray like Shout. Let it sit for 30 minutes before washing. For stubborn grass stains, Fels-Naptha laundry bar soap rubbed directly onto the stain works wonders.

Red Wine

Blot (don't rub!) with a clean cloth. Pour salt generously on the stain to absorb the liquid. Rinse with cold water and apply white vinegar. Wash normally. For set-in wine stains, try OxiClean.

Ink / Pen Marks

Place the stained area on a paper towel. Apply rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the back of the stain — the ink should transfer to the paper towel. Repeat with fresh paper towels until the ink stops transferring. Wash normally.

⚠️ Never put a stained item in the dryer. The heat will permanently set the stain, making it nearly impossible to remove. Always check that the stain is gone BEFORE drying.
Etiquette

Laundromat Etiquette: Be a Great Neighbor

A laundromat is a shared space, and a little courtesy goes a long way. Here are some unwritten rules that make the experience better for everyone.

  • Stay with your laundry. Don't leave and expect your clothes to be safe. Remove your clothes from washers and dryers promptly so others can use them.
  • Clean the lint trap before and after using a dryer. This helps the dryer work efficiently and is a fire safety practice.
  • Wipe down the folding tables when you're done. Leave the space as you found it — or better.
  • Don't overload machines. It damages the equipment and your clothes won't get clean.
  • Keep an eye on kids. Machines have moving parts and hot surfaces.
  • Report problems. If a machine isn't working right, let us know on Facebook or email admin@elenaslavanderia.com.
  • Respect the bathroom. The bathroom is available during staffed hours only. Please keep it clean for everyone.
College Students

🎓 The College Student's Laundry Survival Guide

Welcome to adulting, Ravens! If you're at Benedictine College and doing your own laundry for the first time — don't worry, we've got you covered.

The Basics You Need to Know

  • Read the labels. Those symbols on your clothes actually mean something. When in doubt, cold water and gentle cycle are the safest bet.
  • Don't wait until you have zero clean clothes. A weekly routine is much easier than an emergency "everything I own" marathon.
  • Bring your own detergent. It's cheaper to buy in bulk. We recommend Tide PODS or All Free & Clear for sensitive skin.
  • Use mesh bags for delicates. Your nicer clothes will last longer.

Consider Our Weekly Wash-Dry-Fold

Honestly? If you're busy with classes, sports, and studying — let us do your laundry for you. We offer student-friendly Wash-Dry-Fold service, and when we have the staffing, we can even do pick-up and drop-off. It's typically a weekly service. Email us at admin@elenaslavanderia.com to set up a student account.

💡 Student hack: Coordinate with your roommate or friends to do laundry at the same time — you can share a ride, share the wait time, and keep each other company. Plus you can split the cost of a large washer for combined loads of towels/sheets.
Tips & Tricks

How to Wash Comforters, Blankets & Large Items

Washing bulky items at home is usually impossible — the machines are too small. That's where our large washers come in.

Tips for Large Items

  • Use our largest washers ($8–$10) for comforters, sleeping bags, and heavy blankets. The item needs room to agitate and rinse properly.
  • Use cold or warm water — hot water can shrink fillings and damage fabrics.
  • Add an extra rinse cycle if available — bulky items hold soap, and residual detergent makes them feel stiff.
  • Dry on medium heat with dryer balls to help fluff the filling. Tennis balls work too!
  • Expect to run the dryer more than once. Large items take longer to dry completely. Check for damp spots in the middle before folding.
⚠️ Check your label first. Some comforters and items are dry clean only. We don't offer dry cleaning services, but many items labeled "dry clean only" can actually be safely washed on gentle/cold — use your judgment. All machines are used at your own risk.
Troubleshooting

Machine Not Working? Here's What to Do

Occasionally a washer or dryer may have an issue. Here's how to handle it.

If a Machine Won't Start

  • Make sure the door is fully closed and latched.
  • Double-check that you've inserted the correct amount — the display should show the payment registered.
  • Try a different machine if the issue persists.

If a Machine Stops Mid-Cycle

  • Wait 2–3 minutes — some machines pause between cycles.
  • If it doesn't restart, note the machine number and report it.

How to Report a Problem

Please let us know so we can fix it quickly! You can:

When reporting, please include the machine number (posted on the machine) and describe what happened. This helps us troubleshoot faster.

Tips & Tricks

5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Clothes Looking New Longer

1. Wash in cold water whenever possible. Cold water prevents shrinking, fading, and is gentler on fabrics. Most modern detergents are designed to work great in cold water.

2. Turn dark clothes inside out. This reduces friction on the visible surface and prevents that faded, worn look on jeans and dark shirts.

3. Don't over-dry. Excessive heat breaks down fibers. Remove clothes when they're just dry — slightly damp is fine for hanging items. This also saves you money on dryer cycles.

4. Zip up zippers before washing. Open zippers snag on other fabrics and can cause pulls and tears in your clothes.

5. Don't overload the washer. Clothes need room to move for proper cleaning. Overpacked machines cause excess friction, leading to pilling, stretching, and poor cleaning.

Troubleshooting

Why Does My Laundry Still Smell After Washing?

This is one of the most common laundry complaints, and the fix is usually simple.

Common Causes

  • Clothes sat in the washer too long. If wet clothes sit for more than 30–60 minutes after the cycle ends, bacteria starts growing. That musty smell is mildew. Solution: rewash with a cup of white vinegar added to the cycle.
  • Too much detergent. Sounds backwards, but excess soap doesn't rinse out fully and traps bacteria in the fabric. Use the recommended amount — more isn't better.
  • Not enough drying. Clothes that are put away still slightly damp will develop a musty odor. Make sure everything is fully dry before folding.
  • Washing in only cold water. Occasionally running a hot water cycle (for whites and towels) kills bacteria that cold water doesn't.
💡 The vinegar trick: Add 1 cup of plain white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It kills odor-causing bacteria, softens fabric, and doesn't leave a vinegar smell. This works for towels that have gone musty too.
Important Guide

🪲 Bed Bugs: What They Look Like, How to Treat Your Laundry & Protect Your Mattress

Bed bugs are one of the most stressful things a household can deal with. The good news is that your washer and dryer are two of the most powerful weapons you have. Here's everything you need to know.

What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?

Bed bug bites are often the first sign of an infestation. They typically appear as small, red, itchy welts on the skin — usually in clusters or a line pattern (sometimes called "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" because they tend to bite in a row). Common places you'll find bites include your arms, shoulders, neck, face, and legs — basically wherever skin is exposed while you sleep.

Key characteristics to look for:

  • Small red bumps that are flat or slightly raised, often with a darker red center
  • Clusters or zigzag lines of 3–5 bites close together
  • Intense itching that often gets worse over several days
  • Bites appear after sleeping — you usually wake up with new ones
  • No bite at the time — bed bugs inject a numbing agent so you don't feel the bite when it happens

Not everyone reacts the same way. Some people show no visible bites at all, while others develop large itchy welts. If you're unsure, look for other signs: tiny dark spots on your sheets (bed bug droppings), small blood stains on pillowcases, or tiny translucent shed skins near the mattress seams.

⚠️ If you suspect bed bugs: Don't panic, but act quickly. Bed bugs spread fast and they don't go away on their own. The laundry steps below should be done IMMEDIATELY for all affected bedding and clothing.

How to Treat Clothes & Bedding for Bed Bugs

Heat kills bed bugs at every life stage — eggs, nymphs, and adults. Your washer and dryer are your best tools. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Bag everything at home. Before transporting anything to the laundromat, put all affected clothes, bedding, towels, curtains, and fabric items into sealed plastic bags (heavy-duty trash bags work great). Tie them tightly shut. This prevents bed bugs from spreading during transport.

Step 2: Go directly from bag to washer. At the laundromat, take items directly from the sealed bag and place them into the washer. Immediately throw the empty bag away in the trash — do NOT reuse it or set it on the folding table.

Step 3: Wash on HOT. Wash everything on the highest temperature the fabric can handle. For most bedding, towels, and cotton clothes, this means hot water. Bed bugs die at 120°F (49°C), so hot water kills them during the wash cycle. Check garment labels — but when dealing with bed bugs, you may need to accept that saving your health is worth more than saving a delicate garment.

Step 4: Dry on HIGH HEAT for at least 30 minutes. This is the most critical step. Even if items have already been washed, the dryer heat is what ensures every last bug and egg is dead. Run the dryer on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. For heavy items like comforters, go 45–60 minutes.

Step 5: Bag in NEW clean bags. When everything is dry, fold and place items directly into new, clean plastic bags or sealed bins. Do NOT put clean items back into the same bags you brought them in. Keep them sealed until you've treated your home.

💡 Items you can't wash: Some things can't be washed but CAN be dried. Stuffed animals, throw pillows, shoes, and other items that can handle heat — throw them in the dryer on high for 30+ minutes. The heat alone will kill bed bugs even without washing.

Encase Your Mattress

After treating your laundry, the next critical step is protecting your mattress. Bed bugs live in mattress seams, box springs, and bed frames. A bed bug proof mattress encasement is essential — it's a specially designed zippered cover that completely seals your mattress.

Here's why it matters:

  • Traps bugs inside: Any bed bugs still living in the mattress are sealed in and will eventually die because they can't feed
  • Prevents new infestations: Bugs can't get into or hide in an encased mattress
  • Protects your investment: A good mattress is expensive — an encasement is cheap insurance
  • Makes inspection easy: The smooth white surface makes it easy to spot any new bugs immediately

What to look for in an encasement:

  • Must say "bed bug proof" or "bed bug certified" — regular mattress protectors do NOT work, the zipper and fabric weave must be tight enough to prevent bed bugs from passing through
  • Full encasement (wraps all 6 sides) — not just a fitted-sheet-style cover
  • Secure zipper with a micro-zipper or velcro flap over the zipper end so bugs can't escape through the zipper teeth
  • Get one for your box spring too — bed bugs love box springs even more than mattresses

You can find quality bed bug encasements on Amazon — look for brands like SafeRest, Linenspa, or SureGuard. We've linked some in our Amazon Store.

💡 Keep the encasement on for at least 12–18 months. Bed bugs can survive up to a year without feeding. Leaving the encasement on ensures any trapped bugs die. Don't remove it early — just put your regular fitted sheet over it as usual.

Additional Steps for Your Home

  • Vacuum everything — mattress, box spring, bed frame, baseboards, carpet edges, furniture. Empty the vacuum bag into a sealed trash bag and throw it away outside immediately.
  • Reduce clutter around the bed — bed bugs hide in books, boxes, clothes piles, and anything near where you sleep.
  • Consider professional treatment — for serious infestations, a licensed pest control company is usually necessary. Heat treatment (where they heat your entire home) is the most effective method.
  • Don't move to another room — this only spreads the bugs to new areas of your home.
  • Use bed bug interceptor cups under your bed legs — these trap bugs trying to climb up to your bed and also let you monitor if the problem is getting better.
⚠️ A note about bringing items to our laundromat: We welcome all customers dealing with bed bug situations — that's exactly what our hot water washers and high-heat dryers are for. Please use sealed bags for transport and dispose of the bags in our trash cans. We appreciate you helping us keep the facility clean for everyone.

Products That Help

Visit our Amazon Store where we've linked bed bug mattress encasements, interceptor cups, heavy-duty laundry bags for transport, and other products that help with treatment. All items ship fast with Amazon Prime.

Have a laundry question we didn't cover? Let us know!

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