University of Wisconsin–Madison

Laundry

Conveniently located laundry facilities provide high-efficiency washing machines operated by the One Tap Away app.

Laundry equipment services provided by CSC Serviceworks.

Washers and dryers in the Ogg laundry room

Paying for Laundry

Residents can pay for laundry directly through the One Tap Away app in all residence halls. Machines are activated using your mobile account, while laundry charges will be paid through the app with a credit card (or your student ID account/Wiscard funds – available later this fall).

Starting Fall 2026

Washer: $2/load

Dryer: $2/load

For the start of the 2026 Fall semester, laundry payments should be made with a credit card through our new One Tap Away app. Later this fall, we will roll out the ability to pay for laundry with Wiscard funds through your student ID, but this feature is not available yet.

Using the One Tap Away App

  1. Open the app and create an account.
  2. Add funds using a credit card or you student digital ID.
  3. Select a machine by scanning the QR code on the machine with your phone or choose from the available machines in the app.
  4. Pay and press start on the machine.
One Tap Away Tutorial
One Tap Away app banner with phone illustration and QR code directing users to download the free app from the app store.
Additional One Tap Away App Features
  • Check availability of washers and dryers in your laundry room
  • Enhanced payment options including credit/debit cards, digital payments, and more
  • Add wallet funds to avoid transaction fees or set to auto-reload
  • See machine status and receive notifications when your cycles are finished
  • Request refunds or service in the app and get refunds right to your wallet
  • Explore Marketplace for deals and discounts on everyday goods and services
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Using the Laundry Machines

Loading the Machines

DO NOT overload the washers and dryers. Your clothing needs to be able to move freely to clean properly.

Illustration of a washing machine filled 3/4 full with clothes and a green check mark for proper loading.

Pile clothes loosley in washer, leaving about 5″ of space from the top.

1 washer load = 1 dry load.

washer door illustration with clothing filled all the way to the top and an X in a red circle in the top left

DO NOT wash or dry comforters or large bulky items in these machines.

DO NOT overload the machines.

If clothing is overloaded and clothing can’t move freely, the load will not be able to wash or dry effectively and clothing can be damaged.

Detergent 101

illustration of a hand putting a laundry detergent pod into a washing machine, a check mark in a green circle at the top left

Detergent Pods

Always place the pod in the tub before loading your clothing

Never place pods in the detergent compartment

Illustration of detergent level bars 1–5 with level 2 highlighted in red beside liquid detergent and a green check mark.

Liquid Detergent

For best results, use only two tablespoons of High Efficiency detergent. Pour liquid in labeled detergent compartment.

Illustration of powdered detergent in a measuring cup with a red crossed-out line and a red X indicating not allowed.

Detergent Pods

Please do not use powdered detergent in the machines.

How to Sort Laundry

Follow the simple tips below to avoid laundry mishaps!

Illustration of a laundry basket with clothes inside, check mark in a green circle at the top

Sort Laundry by Fabric & Color

Sort clothes according to fabric type and color shades (lights vs darks) to avoid damaging clothing.

Illustration of a t-shirt with a symbol indicating to turn it inside out, a checkmark in a green circle at top right corner

Darks & New Items

New items and darkly colored items may bleed so wash them separately and turn them inside out.

Illustration of a glove going into water, a checkmark in a green circle is in the top right corner

Washing Delicates

Delicates should be washed on a delicate cycle or by hand.

Illustration of a garment label with sample instructions on how to wash and dry, a checkmark in a green circle is in the top right corner

Check Labels

Always wash according to the garments’ care label instructions.

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Laundry Tips

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Easy Wash

  • Separate your clothing according to color, fabric type, and soil level.
    • HINT: Mixing light and dark colors may cause colors to bleed.
  • Zip zippers and button buttons.
  • Remove all items from pockets.
  • Use only 2 tablespoons of HE detergent or 1 laundry pod.
  • Check for stains and pre-treat.

Simple Dry

  • Clean the lint screen before and after each use.
  • Check you garment tags to be sure heat drying is appropriate.
  • Do not overload the machines: One washer load equals one dryer load.
  • Do not place garments with remaining stains in the dryer.
  • Do not dry wool, rubber, or plastic items.

  • Use the cold water setting to save energy and help the environment.
  • Report service issues to ensure the machines get fixed and return to service quickly.
  • Leave the washer door open after use to help the drum dry quickly.

Cosmetics: Spray stain with stain remover. Wash in hottest water safe for the fabric.

Grease: Soak in club soda.

Coffee: Pour boiling water over stain.

Ketchup: Soak in cold water and rub detergent into stain then wash.

Grass: Rub detergent into stain with safe fabric bleach.

Mustard: Work glycerin into stain or sponge with rubbing alcohol.

More Tips

Maintenance Minute: Doing Your Laundry

Maintenance Minute: Doing Your Laundry

For some of you, living in the residence halls may be the first time you have to do laundry on your own. Others may have lots of experience, and some residents may…

University Housing is NOT responsible for damaged, stolen, or lost items in our laundry facilities.

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Locations

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Laundry Service Requests

If you experience an issue with a machine or your laundry service, you can submit a service or refund request anytime through the “Report an Issue” feature in the One Tap Away app.

Helpful tutorials, including how to submit requests in the app, can be found here.

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Lazybones Door-to-Door Laundry & Dry Cleaning

University Housing works with Lazybones to offer laundry pickup/delivery service for an additional fee. Laundry bins are placed at hall desks on specific days to be picked up, laundered, and delivered the following day. Dry cleaning is also available. Costs, pickup & delivery times, how the service works, and more details are all available on the Lazybones website.

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