First, I make my way to an empty washing machine. Machine #4 seems like a good option.

I unload my clothes into the machine. Some people may separate lights and darks, but I find that skipping this step doesn't make much difference.

Then, I pull out the dispenser to put in the detergent.

Recently, I have been finding used Tide pods in the dispenser, which I find very unpleasant. I pick up the gooey remains and toss it into the trash. The dispenser looks blue from all the detergent residue and looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a while.

I pour the detergent into the dispenser and push it closed. One could also put fabric softener and bleach into the dispenser, though I've never done so before.

Next, I make my over to the TechCash reader in order to purchase the washing machine service.

I slide my MIT ID card through the card slot of the reader. It doesn't work the first time, so I try it again a little slower and it works.

The reader then asks for the machine number. I press "4," which is the number of the washing machine I'm using, and press "Enter."

Each washing cycle costs $1.00. This is a little expensive if you ask me, but it's okay because laundry must be done.

Lastly, I press "Enter" to start and walk back to the washing machine.

There are three different settings to choose: type of clothes, temperature, and soil level. The current settings are indicated with green lights, which is helpful.

I choose to wash my clothes in cold water because I know it's less likely for colors to bleed in cold water. To do this I simply press the "COLD" button.

Then, I select "HEAVY" soil level by pressing "SOIL LEVEL" two times. This increases the cycle time by ten minutes.

Then, I select "NORMAL" for the type of clothes I'm washing. This increases the cycle time by two minutes. I wonder what other variable this setting might be changing. Doesn't soil level already changes cycle time?

Finally, I press "START" to start the washing machine. A beeping sound and the sound of the door locking lets me know that the washing cycle has started successfully.

After the washing is done, I unload my clothes from the washing machine into my hamper.

Then, I drag the hamper a few feet to an empty dryer. I tend to prefer the bottom ones since then I don't have to lift my clothes so high. Machine #15 seems like a good option.

I unload my clothes into the dryer. I also throw away the lint from the lint trap and put in two dryer sheets.

Next, I select the dryer on the TechCash reader just like how I did with the washing machine.

This time, the reader asks if I want extra drying cycles. From experience, I know that one extra drying cycle typically results in a good level of dryness for me. I press "1" and hit "Enter." The total cost is $0.50, which seems like a good price to me.

Back at the dryer, the screen indicates that two cycles is 34 minutes. There is only one setting to choose from, which is temperature.

I like to select "LOW TEMP" because I feel like it is sufficient for drying my clothes and minimizes damage.

Then, I press "START" to start the dryer.

After 34 minutes, I unload my clean clothes and take them back up to my room. I'm done!

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