Will you get STD's or germs from a public laundry facility?

Question

I know, I'm naive, but I've never used a public laundry facility. I'm on my own now, in an apartment. I've been using my parent's washer and dryer but they live so far away, and I have a laundry facility just downstairs. Can I get germs or STD's from it, a lot of people use it. I like to wash my clothes in cold water, I don't like using hot water. Also can someone provide me with public washer/dryer etiquette? There is no seating area, so I can't watch it. Most people just use them and walk away. Is it rude to take people's stuff out of the dryer if stuff is still in there? The most detailed answer gets the points. Thank you for your help : )

Answer 1

There is NO way you can get an STD for a public laundry.  My Aunt used to wipe the inside of the washer & dryer with a clothe that had a little Lysol Liquid on it before putting her stuff in any machine.  Never take someones else stuff out of a machine unless they tell you it is OK. If you want to watch your stuff bring a folding chair and a book.  Laundry is boring after a while you may want to walk away too.

Answer 2

I know you can get germs because some people may have diseases and some diseases are from skin to skin contact. so just put toilet paper on the seat and you're good to go :]

Answer 3

DON'T THINK SO

Answer 4

If you mean get STD's from using the washer and dryer? no... think it though... lots of water and soap, both germ killing. Especially the soap. If it were a problem, don't you think the health departments around the country would have shut down laundymats long ago? :D you're fine. People have been washing their clothes this way for decades without any problems.

Is it the only place you can do laundry? I usually don't ever leave clothes... it's just me. I prefer to stay while I do the laundry and read/do homework. That said, if it's the only one, and it's in your buliding, it's a little rude to take people's stuff out of a dryer, but at the same time, it's rude to leave your stuff in the dryer. If I saw that other people had taken stuff out, then I'd take that as a cue that it was acceptable.

If it were me, I'd go in search of a laundrymat that I could go to and sit in to do my laundry, then I don't have to worry about my clothes getting taken, or things getting messed up. Also, in those kinds of places, you can usually find an open dryer when you need it.

But, that said, I do sometimes do a load or two down in my apartment's laundry, and in that one, it's perfectly ok to take someone's clothes out and put them on the table in the room. Some people seem to leave their clothes in there for a long time (in the washers too) which always kind of boggles my mind... what are they wearing while all their clothes are in the laundry?