Laundromats

The Green Hanger: where to go when you're out of soap (Kaimin pick)

The Green Hanger has two convenient locations around Missoula for laundry. The air, like in most laundromats, feels a bit stuffy, but the free soap, coffee and Wi-Fi make it worthwhile. The Green Hanger uses the freebies to compensate for its high prices — top-load machines are $2 per load of laundry, and it's $0.40 for eight minutes of drying time. Another service the Green Hanger offers is dry cleaning, so if you've reached the age where pressed pants are appropriate work attire, you won't have to change your laundry routine too much. Overall, the Green Hanger has a friendly, clean atmosphere and provides machines that won't leave your socks smelling like B.O. The morning is usually the busiest time, so go around midday, or at least before 8 p.m., when the last loads are allowed in.

Mullan Station: drink, gamble and shop. Oh yeah, and do laundry.

Like to gamble? Like to drink midday? Mullan Station includes a bar, casino and full-service restaurant in the building right next door (open seven days a week), along with laundry machines. Or, if you just have a million things to do and they're all out on North Reserve, at least you're in the right spot. Mullan Station, near the Wal-Mart, recently underwent a remodel, so it's now convenient and state of the art. Along with regular washers, Mullan offers "giant" machines for $4.75 a load. And if you'd rather shop online than dash out on Reserve, Mullan Station provides free Wi-Fi so you can access the Internet and buy those adorable shoes from Target without ever leaving the side of your washer.

South Campus Laundry: where Facebook saves you money

Ever find yourself hunting for information all over the web? Ever wish all the information you needed was as simple as ‘liking' something on Facebook? Well, South Campus Laundry on South Higgins Avenue made finding out about their laundry specials just that easy. Like them on Facebook and your newsfeed is sure to be inundated with their "Megawashers ½ off today," and other daily deal posts. Posts like this help you to choose the perfect day to do your laundry. South Campus Laundry offers a drop-off service from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, but good luck calling ahead. The phone number posted on their Facebook page doesn't work. The number you actually want to call to get answers to your laundry questions is 406-594-5914.

Sparkle Temptations: If ice cream and arcade games are top priorities

Sparkle Temptations is the groovy looking laundromat with rainbows covering its facade on South Higgins. Inside this building with the colorful outside décor, the double front loader machines are going to be your best bet & the easiest on your wallet.  Double front loaders are only $1 a load and drying is just $0.25 for seven minutes, so you'll have plenty of change left over for games. Revisit your childhood and play a few levels instead of doing whatever it is you usually do as your clothes wash and rinse.

Electronic games aside, if you're in a rush to get your laundry done, avoid going to Sparkle between the 11:30am and 1:30pm., when Hellgate High School students dive bomb the frozen yogurt, hot dogs and espresso bar during their lunch. And, if you're also exceptionally particular about how your shirts smell daily, Sparkle is not the laundromat for you. Our shirts smelled something like the three-month-old mold after they'd been fully laundered here. Yikes.