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A small setup makes laundry easier and less of a hassle. Unless your unit has a cleaning service or dry cleaning (Sorry to disappoint, but they won’t), you will need to do your own laundry.
Just because your schedule might be hectic does not mean you can’t have a routine. Small rooms and sweaty clothes don’t mix. Add in the fact that you could have an inspection whenever your company feels like it. The truth is simple. You will need to wash your clothes more often in a barracks than you would in a college dorm or with your parents.
You won’t be able to store much, and the stench will catch your clothes fast. You should consider not letting your clothes stack up more than a day or two. One easy load two or three times a week is ideal. This might seem excessive until you weigh in your PT uniform and the several-mile run you just completed.
This guide will show you tips to prepare yourself before you move in or if you already live the life. I will also give you my top picks that you should consider for your barracks or dorm.
Laundry bags are a no-brainer. They are lightweight to store and, best of all, you can pull the strings and block out the odor. You want to let your clothes dry out from PT before you throw them, though.
It will be very tempting to throw your clothes in the wash and then walk away, but items have a tendency to disappear if they have eyes on them. Not saying that you can’t trust your brothers and sisters at arms, but when you have so many people using these machines, it’s not a stretch that someone grabs your clothes by mistake.
If your barracks hold many, you want to write your name or initials on your underclothes and BDUs. The last thing you want to realize is that you’re wearing your roommate’s underwear. You may think that this is silly and you’re not a child, but when you have a hundred people who wear the same type of clothing, it makes this very easy to happen.
Create a small kit that you can easily carry with you back and forth to the laundry room. No need to lug around the giant containers that soap comes in. Get a travel kit and fill the bottle that comes with it. They are expensive, and you can just throw the kit in your laundry bag, thenyou’rer good to go.
Inspect the machine before and after you use it, especially the lint trap. Everyone seems to forget the lint trap. If left in, it will slow down your clothes from drying and is a fire hazard. Don’t forget to pick up after yourself and wipe down the machines. You would hate for brass to walk in as globs of soap are stuck to the washer. Two extra minutes could save you a lot of embarrassment.
Storing and cleaning. You will no doubt have a large container. You should always wipe them down and place them on top of your closets or hide them either in your closet or under your bed. If your storage space is tight, try saving a box and place the items in it before you store on top of your closet. This will not stand during inspections.
Click on the Guide Hub for all the other Barrack living guides, and be sure to check my top picks for items that you can get for your room right now.
