What to Bring to a Laundromat: The Complete Checklist

Heading to the laundromat for the first time — or just want to make sure you've got everything covered? A little preparation goes a long way. There's nothing worse than arriving with a bag full of dirty clothes and realising you've forgotten something essential. Here's a complete checklist so you can walk in, get your laundry done, and walk out without a hitch.

The Essentials: What You Definitely Need

Your Dirty Laundry (Sorted)

This one's obvious, but the key word here is sorted. Before you leave home, separate your laundry into lights, darks, and delicates. It saves time at the laundromat and means you won't accidentally turn your white shirts pink. A few separate bags or even just large plastic bags will keep everything organised during the trip.

A Bag or Basket for Clean Clothes

You'll want something clean to carry your freshly washed laundry home in. If you've used a laundry bag to transport your dirty clothes, bring a second bag or a folding basket for the clean load. Nobody wants to put freshly washed clothes back into a grubby bag. An IKEA-style zip bag works brilliantly for this — they're cheap, roomy, and fold flat when not in use.

Payment

Most modern laundromats accept card and contactless payments these days, so your phone or a debit card is usually all you need. Some older laundromats still run on coins, so it's worth checking before you go. A quick look at the laundromat's website or Google listing will usually tell you what payment methods they accept. When in doubt, bring your card and a few gold coins as backup.

Detergent (Maybe)

Here's where it depends on the laundromat. Some require you to bring your own detergent or buy it from a vending machine on-site. Others include it as part of the wash. If you do need to bring your own, a small travel-sized bottle of liquid detergent is all you need — there's no point lugging a full two-litre bottle. Measure it out at home and pour it into a small container to save space and mess.

Nice-to-Haves: Making the Wait Enjoyable

Your Phone (With Headphones)

A typical wash-and-dry visit takes around 60 to 90 minutes, so you'll want something to keep you occupied. Your phone loaded with a podcast, a playlist, or a few downloaded episodes of something bingeable is the obvious choice. Pop in your headphones and the time flies. Just keep an eye on your machine so you're ready to transfer clothes when the cycle finishes.

A Book or Magazine

If you'd rather unplug, a laundromat is actually a great place to get some reading done. There's something about the background hum of machines that makes it surprisingly easy to focus. Bring a paperback you've been meaning to get through — you might be surprised how many pages you knock out in a single visit.

A Snack and a Water Bottle

If you're doing a bigger load or multiple cycles, a snack and a drink keep you comfortable. Nothing fancy — a muesli bar and a water bottle will do. Just be mindful of crumbs and rubbish. Nobody wants to sit next to someone else's chip packets.

A Small Stain Remover

If you're someone who likes to pre-treat stains, a travel-sized stain remover pen or spray can be handy. Apply it to any stubborn marks before you load the machine. This is especially useful for things like food stains, grass marks, or ink spots that a regular cycle might not fully shift on its own.

What NOT to Bring

Too Much Detergent

More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes. Over-sudsing is a common mistake that can actually leave residue on your garments and make the machine run less efficiently. Use the recommended amount — and if your laundromat provides detergent free, don't add extra on top. The dosing is already built into the cycle.

Fabric Softener (Usually)

For most everyday laundry loads, fabric softener isn't necessary. It can leave a waxy build-up on fabrics over time, reduce the absorbency of towels, and isn't great for activewear or sportswear. If you love the soft feel, consider dryer balls as a chemical-free alternative.

Valuables

Leave anything you'd be upset about losing at home. Laundromats are public spaces, and while most visits are uneventful, there's no need to bring expensive jewellery, large amounts of cash, or other valuables. Keep it simple — phone, card, keys, laundry.

Your Quick-Reference Checklist

Must bring: sorted laundry, clean bag for finished clothes, payment (card or coins), detergent (unless it's free).

Nice to bring: phone and headphones, a book, snack and water, stain remover pen.

Leave at home: excess detergent, fabric softener, valuables.

Visit Laundry Day

At Laundry Day, we've made the checklist as short as possible. Detergent is free, card payments have zero fees, and our machines are modern and easy to use. Just bring your clothes and your card — we've sorted the rest. You'll find us at Brunswick East (220 Lygon St), St Albans (4/329 Main Road East), and Maribyrnong (103 Rosamond Rd), open 7 days a week from 6 AM to 10 PM.

Whether it's your first laundromat visit or your hundredth, a little preparation makes the whole experience smoother. Pack smart, tap and go, and you'll be home with fresh, clean clothes before you know it.