Where?
In the residence hall laundry rooms – you will need coins. Check the dorm-specific laundry guides on the individual dorm websites.
What?
Besides your clothes, make sure to wash your bed sheets, duvet and pillow covers and towels at least once every two weeks.
How?
Laundry
Check the labeling on each garment and separate clothing that requires the same care into piles. If unsure what the symbols mean, you can check out this label guide
Select the appropriate washing cycle adjusting the water temperature (most frequently 30 or 40°C) and the spin speed (from 400 to 1200) with regard to how delicate your laundry is.
If you’re washing anything woolen, made out of silk, cashmere or other delicate materials, consider washing it in hand or select a special program for the respective material and set the spin speed to the minimum. Then hang your clothes – do not put them into the dryer, as it would ruin them.
If you’re washing towels or bed linen, make sure to select a higher temperature (60 or 90°C) to get rid of germs. Also make sure not to overload the washing machine.
Make sure to get the right type of detergent for your whites, lights and darks. The easiest way is to get detergent pods that you just put into the washing machine with your clothes.
If you want to have your clothes softer and smelling fresh, pour some fabric softener (aviváž in Czech) into the sliding drawer of the washing machine. Make sure to read the instructions to find out the right amount. Pro tip: it also helps with static electricity.
Tips and tricks
In general, European washing machines take a little longer to wash your clothes, so please bear with them and make sure to set aside enough time to do your laundry.
The washing machines will generally show you how long the cycle you selected will take. Make sure to set a timer on your phone so that you can take your clothes out right when they finish washing and other residents can use the washing machine.
Peak laundry times in residence halls are usually in the evenings, especially Sunday evening. If you want to avoid these, do your laundry during the day.
If you need to have some items dry cleaned, there are numerous options in the city. For example DAJA close to the academic center.
Drying
After your clothes are washed, put them into the dryer. If they are soaking wet, run a spin cycle in the washing machine and only after that put them into the dryer. Check the lint filter and clean it and empty the water tank (if the dryer has one).
Do not put delicate fabrics into the dryer.