The XXL dryer at a laundromat

Many flats in Germany have no tumble dryer, and drying racks in a small room mean damp air for days. A big dryer at the laundromat gets everything done in under an hour. Here's how to get the most out of every 10-minute block.

How much does drying cost?

The last column is a rough guide: actual time depends on the amount, the fabric and the temperature. You buy time at the payment terminal in 10-minute blocks and add more if anything is still damp.

Why does laundry dry better in a big dryer?

Laundry dries when warm air gets between the items, and that needs room to tumble. In a large drum, things tangle less, dry more evenly and crease less. So a big dryer is handy for everyday loads too, not just duvets.

How big are the dryers?

Wash&Go Ludwigsburg (Stuttgarter Straße 54) has four dryers with a 20 kg capacity each. Equipment differs from location to location; each laundromat's own website, linked below, shows what's there. Price and procedure are the same everywhere.

Which temperature?

Look for the square with a circle on the care label. One dot means low heat (synthetics, sportswear), two dots normal heat (cotton, towels), and a crossed-out symbol means no dryer. With mixed loads, go by the most delicate item.

What shouldn't go in?

• Anything with a crossed-out dryer symbol
• Wool and silk, unless the label says otherwise
• Rubber-backed bath mats, foam, rubberised items
• Anything stained with oil, petrol or solvents

How to save dryer time

1. Shake out each item before it goes in.
2. Split heavy and light: towels and jeans in one dryer, shirts in another.
3. Don't overload: two half-full dryers beat one stuffed to bursting.
4. Check after 20 minutes and take out what's dry.
5. Partly dry shirts and curtains for 10 to 20 minutes, then hang them up at home; creases drop out and you can often skip the ironing.
6. Tennis balls for duvets fluff up the filling and cut drying time.

How long does washing and drying take in total?

About 35 minutes washing plus 20 to 40 minutes drying: 55 to 75 minutes for a normal load, more for duvets. Most locations close at 11 pm, Bad Cannstatt and Ludwigsburg at 10 pm, so start early enough for the dryer to finish. You don't need to wait next to it, just be back on time. See How long does laundry take? and Washing duvets.