Sorting Out College Life – A Guide to Laundry

Laundry, the worst chore ever!

I spent my daughter’s senior year of high school teaching her how to do laundry. I even tried using enticements (aka bribes, money) for each load she completed. It was more than a bit of a battle. What should have taken maybe an hour or so — to run two loads, dry then fold them — became an all-day project. She would leave wet clothes in the washer just to avoid folding the clothes in the dryer. (Pee-yew!)

But by the time she was ready to head off to college, I felt she knew enough to be able to handle her own laundry. And I just had to hope that she would wash her sheets and towels weekly on top of doing her regular laundry. A mother’s hope springs eternal…

Then, the stories started. She would tell me that students were willing to pay others to do their laundry. (Allowance hint here.) Or, about how, when she was doing her own laundry, some other student would remove her wet clothes if she did not get to the laundry room quickly enough after the cycle finished. She would find the load left on the table in a wet heap so they could use the washing machine. I admit that I felt her frustration. I also admit that I remembered, quite clearly, my frustration when she would leave clothes in the washing machine for a ridiculous amount of time.

Dorm Laundry Options

So, let’s discuss the laundry options when living in a dorm. Most of the laundry machines can be found in the basement of the residence halls or on the ground floor. And this year, all new washers and dryers have been installed! The new equipment also includes new card readers. The new readers allow for online payment, mobile payment, debit and credit payment, and GatorOne card payment. Students can also pay with exact change. (If so, having a roll of quarters on hand will come in handy). The simple steps for payment and laundry room monitoring are here. The average cost per load using on-campus machines is $1.25 for each wash and $1.25 to dry. They make it fairly dummy-proof, with buttons for different categories of laundry (whites, colors, etc.). There is also a service called mywavevision.com to let them see which machines are available.

If your student is planning on using their Gator 1 Card for laundry purposes, they will need to open a Vending Account with an initial, one-time deposit of $15. (This Vending Account can be used at all Campus vending machines, including those for snacks, beverages, library copy machines, etc.) Balances carry over from semester to semester and through graduation.

HaveUHeard that Student Government has a laundry grant students can apply for? Those selected can receive $30 worth of laundry credit to use for the entire semester. This is need-based and students are required to include an essay to apply.

Time to Get Outside Help for Inside Chores

Sometimes, laziness kicks in and they just need someone to do their laundry for them. (I really should stop here and give dispensation for those who have been sick or otherwise overloaded beyond reason…like their washer would end up being.) Perhaps they have clothes that are dry clean only or need some alterations done. When that’s the case, our interns recommend these places:

• LaZDorm – in addition to cleaning dorm rooms, they also will do laundry, alterations, and dry cleaning. They charge $1.50/lb for one-time washing but also offer prepaid semester plans. The semester plans include FREE pick up & delivery, otherwise there is a $2 pick-up and drop-off charge.
• Lili’s Alterations – Our interns head to Lili’s on NW 16th Boulevard. Open 9 am-6 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am-5 pm on Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
• Alterations by Deloris —  Located on 16th Street and also highly recommended. Open Monday through Friday, from 1 pm-6 p.m.
• QT’s Alterations —  Located on SW 75th Street, about a 13-minute drive from campus.
• On the Spot Dry Cleaning  — Three locations in Gainesville. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 am-7 pm, and Saturdays, 9 am-4 pm.
• S&S Cleaners —  503 SW 3rd St. Open Monday through Friday, 7 am-5:30 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm.
• Robinson’s Cleaners — Located at 209 NE 16th Ave. Open Monday through Friday, 7 am-6 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm.

Just HaveUHeard here, doing our share to promote a sweeter smelling campus, one load at a time.

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