Pick a laundry day and protect it
The easiest way to stay on top of laundry in a hostel or hall is to give it a fixed slot, such as Saturday morning, when water pressure is often better and you are not rushing to lectures. Clothes left in a heap for two weeks are harder to wash, take longer to dry and are more likely to smell. Plan ahead of exams and assignment deadlines, when laundry is the first thing to slip.
Sort before you wash
- Whites and light colours together.
- Darks together, turned inside out.
- New clothes, especially new African print, washed on their own the first few times in case the dye runs.
- Towels and bedsheets on their own, because they hold a lot of water and dirt.
Hand washing in a bucket, done properly
- Dissolve the detergent in water before adding clothes, so powder does not leave white patches.
- Soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Soaking does a lot of the work for you.
- Wash the dirtiest areas first: collars, cuffs, underarms and the knees of trousers.
- Rinse twice in clean water. Leftover detergent makes clothes stiff and can irritate skin.
- Squeeze gently instead of twisting hard, which stretches the fabric.
Drying without fading
Strong sun dries clothes quickly but fades dark and bright colours. Dry darks and prints inside out or in the shade, and bring clothes in once they are dry rather than leaving them on the line overnight, where they can collect dew, dust or walk away. Hanging shirts on hangers to dry saves you a lot of ironing.
During the harmattan, dust settles on anything left outside. Shake clothes out before folding and keep clean clothes covered or in a closed bag.
Keep track of what is yours
Clothes go missing from shared lines and from laundry bags. Mark labels with your initials using a laundry marker, keep a simple count of what you send out, and take a photo of the pile before handing it over to anyone.
Budgeting: what to wash yourself and what to send out
Many students hand wash small daily items such as underwear, socks and T-shirts, and send out the heavy or awkward things: bedsheets, towels, jeans, and anything that needs ironing for presentations or church. Sharing a pickup with a roommate can also help if the laundry charges a delivery fee.
Using a laundry pickup service on campus
A pickup and delivery service means you do not have to carry heavy bags across campus. Schedule collection around your lectures, keep your phone on so the rider can reach you, and check your items when they come back.
Simame - Laundry Connect lets you book partner laundries for pickup and delivery from your phone where service is available near you. Simame is an independent company and is not affiliated with any university. Download the app free on Google Play and check which laundries serve your hostel or area.
Common questions
How often should students do laundry?
Once a week suits most students. Towels and bedsheets should be washed at least every one to two weeks, and gym clothes after every use.
How do I stop my clothes from fading in the sun?
Turn dark and printed clothes inside out, dry them in the shade where possible, and bring them in as soon as they are dry. Washing in cold water also helps colours last.
Can I book laundry pickup at my hostel?
Many laundries offer hostel pickup. In the Simame app you can see partner laundries near your location and book pickup and delivery where they serve your area.