Your step by step guide to washing your clothes

Doing your own laundry is part and parcel of independent living.

Doing your washing might not be top of your weekly to do list while at university but rest assured our laundry guide is here to make your weekly washing as hassle free as possible.

1. Locate your laundry room

• Crown Place - reception 
• Vine Court - opposite Vine's reception
• Philharmonic Court - reception
• Dover Court - reception/next to study room

Living in Melville Grove or Tudor Close? Your laundry facilities are based in Vine Court so we recommend that you bring a sturdy laundry bag to carry your items to and from the laundry room.

2. What do I need? 

To get ready for your first wash, you're going to need:

• A bag to carry your clothes to and from the laundry room
• Detergent (soap for washing machines) - powder or tablet can be used 
• Circuit Go app

The quickest way to get started is by downloading the official Circuit Laundry Go App for free. Create your account ready for your first wash.

3.  How to do a wash 

We know your first wash can be a little scary! No one wants to ruin the new, favourite top or shrink your best jeans but rest assured that our machines are easy to use.

• Open the door and check it's empty before you add your detergent to the bottom of the drum 
• Don't add fabric conditioner as direct contact can ruin your clothes
• Load the machine with your clothes - aim for about 75% for the best results (adding too many clothes make it harder to wash properly)
• Close the washing machine door gently
• Make sure your account is topped up and your wash is paid for 
• Select the correct cycle for your items and press start
• Once your wash is finished, remove your items as soon as possible to free up the machine for the next person

4. How to know what cycle to go for?

It truly depends on what you are washing on the day. Take a minute to check the labels in your clothes and to make sure you pick the right cycle to preserve your clothes and give them the longest life possible.

A typical wash can be done on a 30 degrees cycle as this will give your clothes a thorough wash. It also uses less energy to heat up the water than a 40 or 60 degree wash.

When it comes to washing sports kits, bedding, gym clothes, towels for example, you might want to go for somewhere between 40-60 degrees to get any stubborn stains out and kill bacteria. 

Check out Circuits tips on cycles, checking labels and knowing how to dry your clothes.

5. What to avoid ❌

• Overloading the machine - your clothes may not wash as thoroughly or feel as fresh 
• Underloading the machine - avoid doing a wash before you have enough items for a full cycle as this will save energy, water and money 
• Mixing colours and whites - it might sound obvious but don't make the mistake of mixing white clothes with coloured clothes as the colour can run onto your whites
• Leaving tissues in your pockets - always check your pockets before you wash your clothes as tissues especially can cause a mess and your clothes might not come out squeaky clean 
• Using incorrect detergent - if you have sensitive skin, you might be best opting for a non-bio detergent as these are free from harsh chemicals
• Overspending on your detergent - try shops like Home & Bargain or Lidl and Aldi to buy your detergent at a cheaper price (avoid smaller, convenient shops if possible as they'll often be more expensive)
• Using fabric conditioner - it's not possible to use fabric conditioner in Circuit machines and if you were to add it to the drum, it will likely affect your clothing

6. Drying your clothes

You can dry your clothes using the dryers provided in the laundry rooms, however you may choose to air dry your clothes instead. 

If you air dry your clothes, be sure to:

• Make sure the clothes are spun properly so that your clothes don't hold too much water and to help them dry quicker
• Not use a heated clothes airer as these are not permitted in Halls due to fire risk 
• Not use your flat's corridor to dry clothes on a maiden as this obstructs a fire exit, instead use your shared lounge area or bedroom 
• Open a window and ventilate your bedroom if you are drying clothes in there