What not to send to the laundry? Anything that can't survive a normal water wash and a tumble dryer. Most holiday clothes pass that test easily. A handful of things don't: "dry clean only" pieces, wool, silk, leather, and anything covered in beads or sequins.

One thing to know first: a wash-and-fold laundry is not a dry cleaner. It washes in water, machine-dries and folds, priced by the kilo. That's the line that decides everything below.

The two-second label test

Turn the garment inside out and find the care label. If it says "dry clean only", keep it in your suitcase. If it shows a washtub symbol, you're almost certainly fine. If it says "hang dry" or "tumble dry low", it can be washed, but tell the laundry to keep it out of the dryer.

No label, or you just can't tell? Snap a photo of it and ask before you hand it over.

Send it, no worries

  • T-shirts, vests, shorts and casual cotton
  • Gym and running gear
  • Swimwear, ideally rinsed in fresh water first to get the salt and sand out
  • Beach towels, bath towels, sarongs
  • Pyjamas, socks and everyday underwear
  • Jeans and hoodies (they just take longer to dry)

Keep back, or ask first

  • Suits, blazers, "dry clean only": they need a dry cleaner, which a wash-and-fold shop isn't.
  • Wool, cashmere, knits: warm water and heat can shrink or felt them.
  • Silk and delicate rayon: they can lose shape, sheen or colour.
  • Leather and suede: never water-washed.
  • Beads, sequins, padding: decorations come loose, padding warps in the dryer. Yes, that includes the festival top.
  • New, dark or bright pieces that might bleed: add a note so they're washed separately. Each extra machine for splitting your clothes is 60,000₫; we message you the price first and only go ahead once you agree.
  • Your one nice dress: if you'd be gutted to see it shrink, pack it apart and flag it, or keep it out.

Before the bag leaves your hands

  • Empty every pocket. Cash, key cards, earbuds and lip balm are the usual suspects. One lip balm through a dryer can mark a whole load.
  • Take a quick photo of anything valuable. A good habit with any laundry, anywhere.

Write it in the notes

A good laundry does what you ask rather than guessing. Things worth writing down:

  • Separate whites and colours
  • Wash children's clothes separately
  • Which pieces should skip the dryer
  • Need ironing? Add it to your notes and we'll tell you the fee.

For beach gear specifically, see how to wash swimwear and beach clothes.

How it works at NightGo

NightGo Laundry (Alley 124 Tran Hung Dao, Duong Dong) is a staffed wash, dry and fold service, open 24/7. Message us in English on the website chat or WhatsApp, book a pickup time and add your notes. Your bag is weighed at the shop before washing, then washed, dried, folded and brought back. You pay when you get it, in cash or by bank transfer.

Standard is 45,000₫/kg (about US$1.75), ready in 3–4 hours; express is 55,000₫/kg (about US$2.15), ready in 1–2 hours. Orders under 3 kg are a flat 130,000₫. Pickup and delivery is from 50,000₫ per order, both ways, 8am–10pm; we tell you the fee for your address before we come.

FAQ

Can a laundry service wash "dry clean only" clothes?

A wash-and-fold laundry can't. Keep those for a dry cleaner.

Is swimwear OK to send?

Yes. Rinse it first, and write "no dryer" if it's very stretchy.

Will my whites be washed separately?

Yes, if you write it in your notes. We follow your notes. Each extra machine for splitting your clothes is 60,000₫; we message you the price first and only go ahead once you agree.

Do you do ironing?

Add it to your notes and we'll tell you the fee.