Laundry Tips and Tricks

Good morning 13th Street!

There have been lots of questions and some complaints about the washing machines. The last time a repairman was out to take a look, I asked what we can do to make the machines break less, and he gave me a couple important tips and tricks:

-- Use High Efficiency detergent. Almost every brand makes one! Look for this logo:

-- Less is more. You only need about two tablespoons of HE detergent for a full load.

-- Don't overload the machines with clothing, sheets, etc. If it takes a few pushes to get the door to click shut, there's too much stuff in it. Filling it 3/4 of the way is your best bet.

-- Leave the doors open after you remove your clothes. This not only signals to other laundry-goers that the machine is no longer in use, but also lets the machine dry properly (or as much as possible between loads) so that it doesn't start to smell funny.

-- Feel inside the gasket around the door to double check if anything has fallen out of your pockets during the cycle. Pens, lip balm, cash, and spare change are the easiest to forget in pockets. I speak from experience.

Hope this helps!