Doing Laundry Like a Pro: A Student’s Guide to Not Ruining Your Clothes

Doing laundry might not be the most exciting part of student life, but it’s a skill that will save you from wearing the same hoodie three days in a row. Whether you’re washing your clothes for the first time or just looking for ways to do it better, these laundry tips for students will help you keep your outfits fresh, your whites actually white, and your favourite T-shirts from shrinking two sizes in the wash.

Step One: Accept That Laundry Is Inevitable

You can only re-wear clothes so many times before they start to betray you. At some point, no amount of body spray or leaving your hoodie out to “air” is going to fix the situation. Doing laundry isn’t just about having clean clothes—it’s about not looking like you just rolled out of bed in the same outfit you wore to class all week.

Step Two: Sort Your Laundry (Yes, It’s Necessary)

Throwing everything into one load might seem like the easiest option, but that’s also the quickest way to end up with a pink shirt that used to be white. Take a few extra minutes to separate your laundry:

Lights and whites go together. Keep them away from anything that might bleed colour.
Darks and colours can be washed together, but be careful with brand-new clothes, especially red and black items, because they tend to run.
Towels and bedding deserve their own wash. Trust me, you don’t want your black T-shirt covered in towel fluff.
If you’re in a rush and absolutely must throw everything together, at least use a colour catcher sheet—it helps stop dyes from bleeding.

Step Three: Detergent Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Laundry detergent isn’t just soap—it actually matters what kind you use. Too much detergent can make your clothes stiff, and too little means they won’t come out properly clean. Follow the measurements on the bottle instead of just guessing.

Fabric softener is optional, but it does make clothes feel softer and smell fresh. If your towels are getting stiff and scratchy, it might be time to add a little bit.

Step Four: Don’t Overload the Machine

Stuffing the washing machine to the brim to avoid doing a second load might seem efficient, but it’s just going to leave your clothes half-clean and wrinkled. Clothes need space to move around in the drum to actually get clean. If your laundry is crammed in so tightly that you have to shove the door closed, take some out and run a second load.

Step Five: Water Temperature Matters

Most everyday clothing is fine with a cold or warm wash, but some things need special treatment.

Cold water is best for dark colours, delicate fabrics, and anything that might shrink.
Warm water works for most general washing.
Hot water is ideal for towels, bedding, and anything that needs a deep clean.
If you’re unsure, check the clothing tag—those little symbols aren’t just for decoration.

Step Six: Drying Clothes Without Turning Them Into a Mess

Not all clothes belong in a tumble dryer. Some fabrics shrink, others get ruined, and some will just come out looking worse than when they went in.

• Hang up delicate fabrics to air dry—this includes most cotton, wool, and anything that says “do not tumble dry” on the tag.
• Shake out your clothes before hanging them up—this helps reduce wrinkles.
• Don’t leave clothes in the machine for too long after the cycle ends—unless you enjoy the smell of damp laundry.
• If you’re using a dryer, don’t overfill it. Clothes dry better when they have space to move around.

Step Seven: Ironing and Folding (The Part Everyone Skips)

Nobody likes ironing, but if your clothes come out wrinkled, a quick iron or steam can make you look put-together instead of like you just pulled something off the floor.

Folding clothes straight out of the dryer or off the washing line helps prevent creases, saves space, and makes it easier to find what you need when getting dressed. Plus, it stops you from living out of a laundry basket full of clean but crumpled clothes.

Final Tip: Don’t Let Laundry Pile Up

The easiest way to stay on top of laundry is to do smaller loads more often. Waiting until you have nothing clean left to wear means you’ll be stuck doing multiple loads in one day—and nobody has time for that.

If you’re living at The Digs on Church, take advantage of the laundry facilities and make it part of your weekly routine. Your future self (and your housemates) will thank you.