Is a laundromat hygienic?

Fair question: if lots of people use the same machine, you want to know what's going on. The good news is that most of it is in your hands. This checklist works at any laundromat, whether you're in Stuttgart-Ost, Ludwigsburg or Karlsruhe.

Can germs from someone else's laundry get onto mine?

Every wash starts with fresh water and ends with rinsing, so whatever the previous person washed is largely gone. No shared machine is ever zero-risk, including the one in your building's basement. That's why the biggest factor is how you wash: higher temperatures and a suitable detergent remove far more germs than a quick 30 °C cycle.

Checklist before you wash

• Look inside the drum: a forgotten sock? Take it out.
• Run a finger along the door seal: wipe off any lint or hair with a tissue.
• Check the detergent drawer: if you're sensitive and see leftovers, pick another machine.
• Bring your own detergent: it's explicitly allowed at Wash&Go, so you know exactly what touches your skin.

Which temperature for what?

Does the dryer help?

Yes. Heat and drying completely are a second line of defence. Laundry folded while damp soon smells, because bacteria like it. A dryer gets it fully dry quickly instead of it hanging around your flat for days. Set the temperature by the label and only take items out when the seams are dry too.

Allergies, sensitive skin, babies and pets

• Sensitive skin: bring a fragrance-free detergent and skip the fabric softener, which is optional at the laundromat.
• Don't overload: detergent rinses out better from a loosely filled drum.
• Baby clothes: use your usual mild detergent and wash them separately from work or sports clothes.
• Pet blankets: shake the hair out outdoors first and wash them separately, so the machine stays clean for the next person.

And on the way home?

Don't put clean laundry back into the bag that carried the dirty stuff. Bring two bags, or a laundry sack you wash every time. And you can pay contactless by card at every Wash&Go, so there's no need to handle coins.

How a wash works is explained in How a laundromat works, what it costs on the prices page, and more answers in our Q&A.