I'm wasn't going to do laundry at 1am, even though I was still awake
Is this normal for you to do laundry so late?
No. I'd rather do it that late when I'm not tired, but then I'd be bothering my girlfriend.
It's okay to avoid doing a chore if its going to disrupt other's who are trying to sleep. If you wake them up they may be upset and unable to go back to sleep. This way they'll be more appreciative of your thoughtfulness.
I just washed my clothes at my own convenience. There was no need to be nice.
That is fine too. If you forget wet laundry it begins to smell like mildew after a while, so good thinking to not do it when you are tired.