What Should You Know Before Visiting a Laundromat in Thornton?

Thornton is a city of approximately 118,772 people, distributed among 41,359 households, as per the 2010 census. From what was primarily farmland in 1953, the city is now a thriving recreational center. The proximity to Denver, which is 10 miles away, has seen its population and economy grow.

In the city, you’re going to find laundromats at various localities. If you’re in the city and need to use a laundromat Thornton CO, there are a few things you should know. Here, they are:

Laundromats Are Completely Self-Serve

If you’ve been using laundry services all along but have never been to a laundromat, keep in mind that laundromats are entirely self-serve. You’ll find coin-operated washing machines and dryers. There will be no one to take orders or wash the clothes on your behalf.

You’ll find both front-load and top-load washing machines. But these will be larger than the ones you use at home. So, you need to gauge accordingly.

At some laundromats, you’ll find ironing and pressing machines. These are coin-operated as well, or might be complimentary services. 

You Need Preparation

Since laundromats are completely self-serve, you need to do some planning before you walk in with your clothes. It is recommended that you take the following items with you:

  • Laundry detergent
  • Fabric softener
  • Bleach
  • Hangers
  • Dryer sheets
  • Snacks (if you suffer from hunger issues)

Before heading into the laundromat, it’s better if you sort your clothes. This is necessary when you have a lot of clothes to clean. Since laundromats have limited space, you wouldn’t want to sort your clothes on the spot.

When sorting, try to keep colored clothes separate from white dresses and categorize them by materials. Also, pay special attention to the tags and cleaning instructions to ensure you’re putting things in the correct pile. Most beginners make the mistake of ignoring cleaning instructions, thus damaging their clothes when using the laundry.

Read Online Reviews of the Laundromats

Before visiting a laundromat, research your available options. The internet has allowed all to share their thoughts and experiences online. So people who have been to that self-service laundry might have left reviews detailing their experience. You can use these reviews to find the best laundromats in town.

First, go to Google or any other search engine and search for “Laundromat Thornton, CO.” It will show you a list of services available near you. For each service, the search engine will display the ratings and reviews that are available. Read through these reviews to understand what it’s like visiting the laundromats and using washing machines.

Based on the reviews, you can make an informed decision on which laundromat to visit:

Check the Washer and Dryer Before Using

When you’re at the laundromat, you need to take some measures as well. One of them is to check the washer and the dryer to ensure they’re clean enough before use. Since you’re using a public self-service facility, there’s no guarantee that the washers will be clean all the time. Although the companies operating the facility make cleanliness a top priority, it’s your responsibility to check for it before using it.

There have been instances where people washed their clothes in a machine that had chlorine bleach. This can permanently damage your clothes. Therefore, before using a washer or a dryer, inspect for any foreign particles with your fingers. Use an old rag or towel to wipe the washer clean before using it.

Laundromat Tips and Tricks

When heading to the laundromat in Thornton, here are a few tips to help you in your washing process.

  • Go to the right laundromat. Not all self-service laundries are the same. Using the methods described above, select the one that is best suited to you in all aspects. Ideally, the laundromat would have well-maintained machines, modern service, and a clean environment.
  • Check the pockets before washing. You can ruin your entire wash if you leave a pen or lipstick in one of your pockets. Or, you might have cash/checks in your pockets. So always check and empty your pockets before washing.
  • Customize cleaning cycles. Not every piece of cloth you have would need a deep clean. Therefore, customize cleaning cycles to avoid over-washing.
  • Time your errands. If you’re planning for errands in between the washing time, then schedule them carefully. People always tend to overestimate or underestimate the timings. For this purpose, you may use a laundry app.

Using a laundromat is a great way to clean your clothes cheaply. Since they’re self-serve, you pay for each wash rather than for each piece of cloth. Keep the above measures in mind for your next visit to a laundromat in Thornton, CO.