Murray State Dorm Move-In: Your Laundry Essentials Checklist

Welcome to Murray State! Whether you're a freshman or returning student, managing your own laundry might be new territory. Here's everything you need to know about keeping your clothes clean while living in the dorms.

What Murray State Dorm Laundry Looks Like

Most Murray State residence halls have coin-operated washers and dryers in the building. They're convenient, but they come with challenges:

• Limited machines (long waits during peak times)
• Coin-operated (need quarters constantly)
• Machines can be out of order
• Clothes sometimes get mixed up or taken
• Weekend and Sunday evening rushes

Many Murray State students supplement dorm laundry with trips to The Washboard, especially during busy weeks or when dorm machines are full.

Your Dorm Laundry Essentials

What to bring:

• Laundry basket or bag - Collapsible mesh bags work great in small dorm rooms
• Detergent - Pods are convenient and pre-measured (less mess)
• Stain remover - Tide pen or small spray bottle
• Quarters - For dorm machines (if using campus laundry)
• Laundry card - For The Washboard (no quarters needed!)
• Dryer sheets or wool balls - Reduces static
• Mesh laundry bags - For delicates, socks, and small items

What NOT to bring:

• Giant detergent jugs (too bulky for dorm rooms)
• Expensive designer clothes that need special care
• Anything you can't afford to lose or have damaged

Sorting 101 for College Students

You don't need to overcomplicate laundry. Here's the minimum sorting most Murray State students should do:

Darks and colors: Jeans, dark t-shirts, hoodies

Lights and whites: White t-shirts, light-colored clothes, underwear

Towels and bedding: Keep separate from clothes

That's it. You don't need 10 different piles.

How Often Should You Do Laundry?

Most Murray State students do laundry every 7-10 days, or when they run out of clean underwear (whichever comes first).

Pro tip: If you have two weeks' worth of clothes, you can do laundry every other weekend and avoid the Sunday night dorm laundry rush.

Dorm Laundry Etiquette

Living in residence halls means sharing machines. Follow these unwritten rules:

Don't leave clothes sitting: If your wash cycle is done, move your clothes immediately. Other students will remove them if you don't.

Set a timer: Don't rely on memory. Set a phone alarm for when your load finishes.

Have your supplies ready: Don't camp out at the machines sorting your clothes. Sort before you go.

Be patient on weekends: Sunday evenings are always the busiest time. Plan accordingly.

When to Use The Washboard Instead

Many Murray State students use The Washboard for these situations:

All dorm machines are full: Instead of waiting an hour for a machine, drive 5-10 minutes to The Washboard.

Big laundry catch-up: When you've procrastinated and have three weeks of laundry, our larger machines handle it faster.

Bedding and comforters: Dorm machines can't handle comforters well. Bring them to us.

During finals week: Drop off Wash & Fold and focus on studying instead of sitting in the dorm laundry room.

Late night laundry: We're open until 11 PM daily. If dorm machines close early or you study late, we're an option.

The Washboard is about 5-10 minutes from most Murray State dorms. Many students make it a weekly or bi-weekly stop while running other errands in town.

The Washboard Laundry Card System

Unlike dorm machines, we don't use quarters. You'll get a reloadable laundry card.

First visit:

• Get a card (usually free or minimal cost)
• Load it with cash (minimum $1) or card (minimum $10)
• Tap your card on any machine to start

After first visit:

• Keep your card in your wallet or backpack
• Reload anytime (machines or at counter during attendant hours)
• Use it each visit

No hunting for quarters. No watching the coin jar. Just tap and go.

Cost Comparison: Dorm vs. The Washboard

Dorm laundry (typical):

• Wash: $1.50-2.00
• Dry: $1.50-2.00
• Total per load: $3.00-4.00

The Washboard:

• Wash: $3.50-7.50 (depending on size)
• Dry: $0.25 per 7 minutes (~$1.50-2.00 typical)
• Total per load: $5.00-9.50

The Washboard costs a bit more, but you get:

• Newer, cleaner machines
• More washer sizes
• No waiting for machines
• Comfortable waiting area with WiFi
• Friendly staff if you need help

Laundry Mistakes First-Year Students Make

Washing everything on hot: Most clothes should be washed in cold or warm. Hot water shrinks clothes and fades colors.

Overloading the machine: Clothes need room to move. A packed machine doesn't clean well.

Using too much detergent: More soap doesn't mean cleaner clothes. Follow the detergent instructions.

Forgetting to check pockets: Pens, chapstick, and forgotten cash can ruin a load. Always check before washing.

Putting everything in the dryer: Some items (athletic wear, anything with elastic) last longer if air-dried.

When to Use Wash & Fold

If laundry feels overwhelming during a busy semester, try our Wash & Fold service.

How it works:

• Drop off your laundry bag at The Washboard (8 AM to 5 PM)
• We wash, dry, and fold everything
• Pick up later that day or the next day
• Cost: typically $15-25 per bag

Many Murray State students use Wash & Fold during:

• Finals week
• Midterms
• When sick
• Big project deadlines
• Job interview prep (need everything clean ASAP)

It's not an every-week thing for most students, but it's useful when time is tight.

Parents: What to Know

If you're a parent helping your student prepare for Murray State:

Don't over-prep: They'll figure out laundry quickly. A few basic supplies and clear instructions are enough.

Consider a laundry service for the first month: Some parents pay for Wash & Fold during the adjustment period. It's one less thing for students to worry about while settling in.

Remind them it's okay to ask for help: The attendants at The Washboard are used to helping first-year college students who've never done laundry before.

Location and Hours

The Washboard is located at 605 S. 12th St in Murray, easy to reach from campus.

Hours: Open every day, 6 AM to 11 PM

Attendant on-site: 8 AM to 5 PM daily

Phone: 270-768-7058

We have WiFi, comfortable seating, and a welcoming environment. Many Murray State students bring homework and study while their laundry runs.

Final Thoughts

Laundry isn't complicated, but it's one of those adult responsibilities that takes a few tries to master. Don't stress about it.

Every Murray State student has shrunk a hoodie or turned their white socks pink at some point. It's part of the learning process.

Welcome to Murray State, and we look forward to seeing you at The Washboard!