SELF-SERVICE GUIDE
How to use our machines
First time here? It's easy. And if you get stuck, just ask an attendant. We're happy to show you.
STEP ONE
Start with a free laundry card
Grab one free at the card kiosk at the front of the store. Load it with cash, credit, debit, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Put in a $20 bill and get $22 with our Big Bill Bonus. Ask us for a free lanyard to keep your card handy.
Not sure how much to load? Check the machine sizes and prices first.
Washers
1
Pick your size2-load for small loads, 3.5-load and up for bigger loads, comforters, rugs and pillows.
2
Load clothes and add soapSee the soap guide. Pods and scent crystals always go in the tub with your clothes.
3
Choose your water temperatureHot for whites, Warm for colors, Cold for brights and darks. Button names vary by machine, so go by the temperature.
4
Place your card on the readerThe price comes off your card balance and your wash starts. Registered cards get a text when it's done.
Soap guide
2-load washers
Soap, softener & bleach: in the soap tray
Pods & scent crystals: in the tub with your clothes
2.5-load washers and up
Soap, softener & bleach: in the soap tray on top of the machine
Pods & scent crystals: in the tub with your clothes
Bleach & fabric softener go in their marked slots in the same tray. On some machines, bleach is added during the cycle, so check the label on your machine. Need soap? We sell it at the counter.
Dryers
1
Place your card on the reader50¢ comes off your card balance.
2
Choose your heatPick the setting for the upper or lower dryer.
3
Remove your cardYour dryer starts.
4
Need more time?Repeat steps 1–3 to add more minutes.
Know your machine
Find the one that looks like yours. For every washer: choose your temperature first, then place your card on the reader.
Laundry tips
Quick answers for sorting, temperatures, stains and folding. Tap a topic to open it.How to sort your laundry
Before you wash
- Empty pockets, zip zippers and close hooks so nothing snags.
- Check care labels for water temperature and drying instructions.
- Turn dark jeans and printed shirts inside out to keep the color.
- Don't overload. Leave about a hand's width of space at the top of the drum.
- Whites: white towels, sheets, socks and undershirts.
- Lights: pastels, light grays and light prints.
- Darks: black, navy, dark gray and denim.
- Brights: reds, oranges and new colored items that may bleed.
- Heavy items: towels, jeans and bedding apart from lightweight clothes.
- Lint: keep towels away from fleece, corduroy and dark knits.
Water & dryer temperatures
Washing
- Hot: whites, towels, sheets and very dirty items, if the label allows.
- Warm: light colors, synthetics and everyday clothes.
- Cold: darks, brights, delicates and anything that might shrink or bleed.
- High heat: towels, jeans and cotton sheets.
- Medium / permanent press: everyday clothes and synthetics.
- Low / delicate: activewear, spandex and delicate fabrics.
- Take clothes out promptly and fold right away to cut down on wrinkles.
Stain removal
- Act fast: blot, don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain.
- Blood, sweat, egg and dairy: rinse in cold water first. Hot water sets these stains.
- Grease and oil: work in a drop of dish soap, let it sit 10 minutes, then wash in the warmest water the label allows.
- Coffee, tea and juice: rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric, then rub in liquid detergent before washing.
- Grass and mud: let mud dry and brush it off, then pretreat with liquid detergent.
- Ink: dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, then wash.
- Red wine: blot, rinse with cold water, then pretreat with liquid detergent.
- Check before drying: dryer heat locks stains in. If it's still there, treat it and wash again.
- Safety: never mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar.
Folding guide
T-shirts
- Lay it face down and smooth it flat.
- Fold each side in toward the middle, sleeves and all.
- Fold the bottom up to the collar, in half or in thirds.
- Button the top, middle and bottom buttons.
- Lay face down and fold each side and sleeve back to make a long rectangle.
- Fold the bottom up in half or thirds. Hang dress shirts if you can.
- Fold in half lengthwise so the legs line up.
- Tuck the crotch point in to keep it flat.
- Fold in half or thirds from the hem up.
- Fold in thirds lengthwise.
- Fold in half, then in half again (or in thirds) to fit your shelf.
- Tuck one corner into another, inside out, to pair the corners on each short end.
- Lay it flat and fold the elastic edges in to make a rectangle.
- Fold into a square, the same size as your flat sheet.
- Pair them up and lay one on top of the other.
- Fold in half or roll them. Avoid folding the cuffs over each other, which stretches the elastic.
Laundromax · 22181 Middlebelt Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 · (248) 888-7303
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