How best to wash oversized items at a laundromat?

[volvoguy87]

I have to wash some over-sized things and I'd like to know the best way to do so at a laundromat. I cannot even remember the last time I went to one, so I am unfamiliar with what is out there.

I have a full-size Ikea futon, for which I have 2 padded slip covers, and they both need to be washed. I also need to wash the slipcover for a loveseat. All of these covers are off-white (not my 1st choice, but they were free and my house renovation is making me po, which is when you have too little money to afford the rest of the word!). In addition to all of this, I must also wash a full-size quilt. Everything is machine washable cotton. I want to wash them because they haven't been washed for quite awhile, and my cat recently coughed up a hairball on the futon.

I need to find a laundromat with over-sized machines, but I do not know what kind of washers are out there beyond 20 pounds capacity. Should I wash all of these things in different machines, or could I combine some or all of them? I plan on using Tide powder (I believe it is whatever Tide with bleach was turned into) and adding some borax as well.

What size washer should I look for and how many do you think I should use? If anyone has any other tips for washing over-sized items at a laundromat, I'm all ears.

And don't worry, I still love my kitty.
Dave

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Hi Dave!

 

Being I'm in So Cal, I don't know exactly what's in your area, but I'd imagine (generally speaking) the majority of laundromats around the country are similarly equipped.   Beyond the single load machines, there should be "double" and "triple" load front load washers and hopefully at least a couple 35 or 40 or 50 lb machines.   The brand can be Milnor, Dexter, Wascomat or any number of others.

 

It sounds like all the items you have are similar fabric (or construction), so I would say wash them all together in one load, if you can find a machine large enough for everything at once.

 

Find one of the larger machine they have and try putting everything in one washer.   DO NOT be afraid to fill the washer right to the TOP of the drum, or even lightly "stuff" things in if it's a little tight.  As long as everything fits inside and is not packed in really tight, it should be fine.    These use a lot of water and once everything is wet, it will settle down to 1/2 or 2/3 full, which is perfect!

 

When it comes to drying, I'd suggest splitting the load up into at least 2, if not 3 different dryers.   You may also want to lower the "temp" to perm press (medium) or perhaps lower, because those large commercial dryers, at least in my experience, run very hot.

 

Kevin

[this post was last edited: 12/5/2014-14:55]

 

[whirlcool]

We wash our off white slipcovers from our furniture thanks to the dogs lounging on them. We also wash a queen size down comforter and mattress pad. We use the Wascomat middle size machines at out local coin op.

Two chair slip covers go in one machine
Two pieces of sofa skip cover go in another machine
The comforter goes in another machine.
Mattress pad in another machine.

We use hot wash, warm rinse (Hot wash at the laundry is really warm)

Everything comes out nice and clean and fresh. The amount of time it takes for all that laundry to be processed is about 2 hours, from walking in the door to walking out. Not too bad at all.

 

[circlew]

Dave, the washateria I go to has Dexter Mega Load washers, which I think are 55 lb. capacity. They also have a location in Goshen, which I think features the same machines. I'm sure you can find a laundry not too far from you which has large machines.

 

[maytagbear]

One more thing-

if you value these items, take a book, a magazine, something, so that you will stay and monitor the load and prevent loss or damage by malicious people.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[volvoguy87]

Name of your place?

Hey Tom, what is the name of the place you use, and where is it? If they have the huge machine, I might give it a whirl. After I'm done, I need to run some errands north of the city anyway.

Don't worry, I won't leave my items unattended. I can bring my knitting and get some work done on my scarf. Also, if people see a guy with extra long knitting needles working away, they tend to leave him alone It is a technique I use whenever I fly and the waiting area at the airport is particularly crowded.

Thanks you all!
Dave

 

[circlew]

Hey Dave, the one I go to is Scrubbing Bubbles on St. Rt. 28 in Blanchester. The latest time to begin a wash is 6:30 PM, as it closes at 8. I try to avoid going on weekend afternoons, as it tends to be busy. Under same ownership is the Highway 28 Laundromat on St. Rt. 28 on the west side of Goshen near St. Rt. 48. I've not used that one, but hear they have similar equipment, and its open later. I hear its pretty busy most of the time. I've known the owners (2 brothers) about ten years now, and they're decent people who run a good business.

 

[volvoguy87]

Here are some pics of the day.

The 1st pic is the washer I used, actually I used 3 of them. They are Dexter 45 pound capacity machines, they cost $5.50 and only take quarters. Once the load is started, adding another quarter increases the length of the cycle by a few minutes. The cycle time was less than 30 minutes. I used Tide With Bleach HE powder with a dose of Borax as well. I used no fabric softener or dryer sheets. All items were washed in hot water.

The dryers are also Dexters, and a quarter buys 7 minutes. I selected the Permanent Press (medium) heat setting, and was able to dry everything in under 30 minutes.

The final pic is my cat, Schrodinger, who was the reason for this trip in the first place. In the pic, he is perched upon the arm of the sofa whose slip cover I just washed.

All evidence of cat barf was removed successfully!

The laundromat I ended up using was the Clean Clothes Company on Fields Ertal Rd. north of Cincinnati. The place was far from the Ritz Carlton, but it was clean, all the machines were in working and clean order, it was staffed by a very helpful attendant. I was able to take a peek at a plumbing stack and was surprised to see that the supply plumbing was all un-insulated copper. This laundromat was not new, but I was surprised not to find any pipe insulation. I wonder if waste heat recovery is used to heat water?

Overall, it was a successful trip.
Dave

Home - Clean Clothes Laundry Co.

WELCOME TO CLEAN CLOTHES LAUNDRY CO. We provide CLEAN, MODERN and WELL-EQUIPPED Laundromat facilities at three locations in the Cincinnati area. Our friendly and attentive staff are here to serve your needs. If you need a comfortable place to do laundry or someone to take the hassle completely...

www.cleanclotheslaundry.com

 

[volvoguy87]

PS:

I believe the washers are Dexter Pegasus 650s. Do they have any advantages or disadvantages over their competition?

Dave

 

[revvinkevin]

PS?

Advantage or disadvantage for the laundromat owner over to you, the customer?

 

[frigilux]

Wow, a 30-minute cycle is pretty short for a machine that can hold 45-lbs. Thanks for the laundromat photos; don't get inside one very often, anymore. Handsome cat, too!

 

[volvoguy87]

Performance.

The cycle on the washers may have been short, but they used enough water to get the job done to my satisfaction, and I'm picky. A short cycle is beneficial to the laundromat owner and customers. Customers typically don't want to spend any more time at the laundromat than necessary, and the more loads that a machine can process, the more money the owner stands to make.

Schrodinger seemed to approve. Once the covers were back in place, he was back on his perch, commanding everything going on in the living room.
Dave

 

[davidblazor]

Laundromats?

Due to recent problems with my washer here at home we have been forced to use mats in our area. You can see my story in the deluxe thread regarding a speed queen front load. My area mats have double triple and 55 pound washers and they range in price anywhere from 2.25 for the double's clear upto 5.75 for the giant washers. One of the mats here have a free dry day unfortunately I haven't been able to go on those days.

Dave