When college students first leave for school, they’re greeted with a startling prospect: doing their own laundry. But NIU students are provided with many options to keep up with the endless cycle of dirty clothes.

“I do my laundry downstairs, in Douglas [Hall],” said freshman psychology major Shenita Lyles. “It works out pretty well, except for when it’s really crowded.”

Douglas’ laundry situation is similar to other residence halls, with two laundry rooms, each holding eight washers and 10 dryerKelli finn photo

Laura Elkin, a senior marketing major, sorts her lights and darks at West Ridge Apartments.s, serving the four wings. However, depending on the time of day, Lyles and other students find the washing machines quickly are taken, and they are forced to wait.

A wash cycle in the dorms costs $1.50, but drying loads are only one cent each.

The laundry facilities aren’t supposed to be used by off-campus students. Many apartment buildings include on-site facilities.

Apartment laundry rooms are popular because, like the dorms, they are close and convenient. Many students don’t have their own transportation, and don’t want to drag laundry baskets and bags onto the Huskie Buses to go to laundromats.

Machines in apartments and townhouse complexes usually are open to building residents and their guests. Prices for on-site machines vary, but usually are about $1 per wash load and 75 cents per dry.

Some tenants have experienced problems with apartment machines.

“In my experience, the machines work well, but they are sometimes a little dirty … like someone washed their shoes, or something,” said Lam Niu, an OMIS major who lives at High Meadows Apartments, 1400 W. Lincoln Highway.

Sometimes that leads to the next viable option, especially for students with cars & area laundromats. DeKalb has four self-service laundries, most located close to downtown. The closest to campus and most convenient for students is the Laundry Lounge, 818 W. Lincoln Highway, in the Junction Center.

“It is the same price, or cheaper, because the equipment works,” said Dave Melms, a manager at the Laundry Lounge.

Washers are $1 on weekdays and $1.25 on weekends, and 50 cents per drying load. The Laundry Lounge is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and an employee is always on duty.

With 40 washers, 24 single-load dryers and 12 double-load dryers, the business usually has anywhere from one to 25 people doing laundry. It also boasts a video arcade, a “lounge” area with couches and a television, a pool table, vending machines and workspace for studying.

Detergent and bleach are sold at slightly higher prices than most retail stores.