Going to university is exciting. For many, it marks the beginning of adult life. You are living on your own, maybe for the first time, potentially in a brand new town, city, or even country. But, amongst the excitement and fun, don’t forget about your laundry.

• Laundry basket
• Laundry detergent 
• Fabric softener
• Dryer ball/sheets
• Colour catching sheets
• Stain remover
• Laundry bag 
• Collapsable drying rack 
• Change
• Laundryheap

Laundry basket

A laundry basket is a basic essential. It will help you to transport your laundry from your room to the laundromat, to the washing machine, to the dryer, and back to your room. There are many different types of laundry baskets so you will definitely be able to find one within your budget. A pro freshers tip is to buy a collapsible laundry basket. It is unlikely that you will be inundated with space in your room, so a collapsible basket will help you save space. 

Laundry detergent

You can’t do your laundry without laundry detergent. You can choose between powder, liquid, and pods, with your cheapest option being powder. When you are shopping for your laundry detergent, consider buying an antibacterial detergent. 90% of freshers get freshers-flu within their first term at university, and antibacterial laundry detergent will ensure that your clothing is both clean and disinfected. 

Fabric softener 

Fabric softener will maintain the softness of your clothing and make your garments smell amazing. If you have sensitive skin, fabric softener can help with irritation as it smooths the fibres in your clothing, making them less abrasive against your skin. Simply add a capful of fabric softener to every load of your laundry and your clothes will smell and feel divine for weeks. 

Dryer balls/sheets

Investing in dryer balls/sheets could save you a small fortune. Dryer balls and sheets can be added to your tumble dryer to reduce drying time and limit the static on your clothing. Simply add 2-3 balls or sheets to each load and your drying time will be cut by at least 10%. This may not seem like a huge amount of time, but when you are paying to use a dryer per minute/hour, 10% could end up saving you a lot of money.

Colour catching sheets

To maintain the colour and quality of your clothing it’s always best to wash your colours and whites separately. That being said, when you are a student, paying to use a washing machine per load, exceptions can be made. Buy yourself a box of colour catching sheets and save yourself the hassle of separating your laundry and paying to use the washing machine twice. These sheets will catch any colour runs, and prevent your whites from turning grey. 

Stain remover 

Whether you are a fresher or not, stain remover is always useful to have in your cupboard. Stain remover is great for pre-treating tough stains or adding to your washing machine to lift smaller, fresher, stains. If you do stain your clothing and don’t have any stain remover, you can use alternatives such as lemon juice and baking soda. 

Laundry bag

When you do your laundry you may notice that your socks go into the machine in a pair, but come out single. Do not risk losing your socks and instead buy a laundry bag. These small bags are the perfect size for washing your socks and will guarantee that you never lose one again. Laundry bags are also incredibly useful when washing delicate underwear. 

Collapsible drying rack 

It is not guaranteed that your laundromat will have tumble dryers, and you may also not want to pay to use one. If either of these scenarios is the case, you may want to invest in a collapsible drying rack. These racks are perfect for hanging your clothes on in the comfort of your own room. Simply fold it out, hang your clothes, and leave them for a day or two to dry. Once your clothes are dry, simply fold your rack away and store it somewhere safe. It may take slightly longer for your clothing to dry this way, but you will save yourself money and your drying rack will not take up unnecessary space. 

Change

When using a laundromat it is essential that you have change with you. Some laundromats do accept card payments, however, it is not always guaranteed. Stay prepared by always taking a small amount of change with you when you go to the laundromat. That way, regardless of whether your laundromat accepts cards or not, you are guaranteed to have clean laundry at the end of the day. 

Laundryheap

Nobody enjoys doing laundry, and you shouldn’t let the chore take away from your fresher’s experience. If you live in student accommodation and want a helping hand with your laundry, head to the Laundryheap website, or download the free Laundryheap app, to make your booking today. Use the code STDNT7 for 7% off of your first order.

Enjoy your freshers!