If you don't have an on-site washing machine or dryer in your home or apartment, a laundromat can be an affordable and convenient alternative. To help you navigate the experience, Park Avenue Coin Laundry in Dothan, AL, offers some essential do’s and don'ts for using a public laundry facility. The information below should help you save time and get the best results.

Do:

Choose an off-peak hour.

Depending on the size of the laundromat, the washers and dryers you need could all be in use if you do laundry at a peak time. The busiest times for most public laundry facilities are between 5 and 8 pm on weekdays and between 12 and 2 pm on weekends. To avoid wait times, try to schedule your laundry visits during off-peak hours—often late mornings or mid-afternoons.

Bring a roll of quarters.

Most laundromats are careful to keep their change machines stocked with quarters. However, the last thing you want after hauling your dirty laundry, loading a washing machine, and adding detergent is to discover the bill changer is out of order. To avoid this type of inconvenience, bring a roll of quarters with you. 

Don't:

Leave your laundry unattended.

Out of consideration for other customers, don't leave your laundry unattended while it's in the washer or dryer. Stay nearby and remove your clothing as soon as the wash or dry cycle is complete. It's rude to make others wait to use a machine until you get back. Moreover, you might return to discover someone has pulled out your laundry and dumped it on a counter.

Forget to check the machines for stragglers.

After removing your laundry from a washing machine or dryer, feel around inside the machine to make sure you have everything. Rotate the dryer tumbler a half-turn to loosen stragglers and check the sides of the washer for items that may be stuck.

The do’s and don'ts list above will help you complete a successful trip to the laundromat. To get your laundry clean and dry as quickly and conveniently as possible, stop by Park Avenue Coin Laundry in Dothan, AL. They're open seven days a week and offer wash, dry, and fold services. Visit their website for a map and business hours or call (334) 678­-0800 to schedule pickup and drop-off services for a low additional fee.