While we’re all familiar with the never-ending chore of doing laundry, not everyone knows laundry room etiquette in a shared space like an apartment. These multifamily facilities require mutual respect to ensure everyone gets a chance to enjoy clean laundry.
Whether you’re a first-time renter or a seasoned tenant, you may have questions about how exactly to go about doing your laundry in your building’s laundry room alongside other tenants. Check out everything you need to know about laundry etiquette and apartment laundry room rules below.
While the community is your home, it’s also the home for numerous other individuals and families. Being mindful of others in your building when using common areas like elevators, hallways, gyms, pools and laundry rooms is crucial to creating an enjoyable and comfortable space for all.
Laundry room etiquette is all about using the machines correctly, understanding how to clean public machines, moving your clothes in a timely manner and keeping the space clean. When everyone follows those guidelines, you can enjoy minimal issues when doing your laundry.
So, what does good laundry room etiquette look like and how can you make the most of living in an apartment with a standard laundry room? Explore the tips below.
Let’s dig into the basics of shared laundry etiquette — be prepared, courteous, considerate and clean:
You don’t want to disturb someone else’s clothes if you can avoid it. Unfortunately, while you can control how you use the machines, you have no power over others. One of the most common problems you’re likely to come across is others leaving their clothes unattended in on-site laundry machines.
If someone has left clothes in a shared dryer, it’s best to avoid touching their garments to avoid any potential conflict. However, if you’ve waited for over 20 minutes and they still haven’t retrieved their belongings, it’s usually acceptable to place them on top of the machine or in their laundry basket.
Here’s what you need for washing clothes in an apartment laundry room:
There’s a lot more to think about when doing your laundry in an apartment complex compared to a private residence. You have to be more cognizant of cleaning the space, respecting other people’s property and keeping track of time. It’s always best to try and be as quick and efficient as possible, so avoid washing items like dog beds or heavy comforters since they take more time to dry and are harder on the machines.
Keep the following guidelines in mind to successfully do your laundry in an apartment complex:
Getting laundry done in an apartment complex is a balancing act. Everyone is running on their own unique schedules, so it’s often a challenge to navigate machine availability. In general, the best time of day to do laundry in an apartment complex is mid-morning, but the best time for you may depend on a couple of factors:
As you get used to doing laundry in the shared room, you’ll likely note which times work best for you and your schedule. If you’re a student navigating laundry for the first time, check out our student laundry guide for tips tailored to campus living.
Laundry Water Temperature Guide
Before looking for your preferred laundry detergent brand, you should be aware of the four primary varieties you’ll come across — powder, liquid, sheets and pods. The type you pick is mostly a personal choice, but understanding how each differs will help you determine which to purchase:
For optimal cleaning results, it’s also important to wash your clothes at the right temperature. Refer to our water temperature guide for detailed recommendations.
Here are four communal laundry room tips that can come in handy:
Using a splash of white vinegar in your wash load can help remove odors from your clothes. Vinegar won’t stain your clothing and is hypoallergenic, earth-friendly and inexpensive. Simply add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the washing machine’s detergent compartment or pour it directly into the wash, depending on the machine. You can then add detergent to the machine or start the cycle.
Washers and dryers are used by everyone in the building on a daily basis. With exposure to dirt, debris, grime and germs, these public washing machines are bound to get dirty. Knowing that, it’s often a good idea to wipe down, clean and sanitize a public washing machine before use. Here’s how:
Take note of your communal washing machine and dryer timers so you can retrieve your clothes on time with each cycle. Then, set a timer to ensure you know exactly when to go and retrieve your laundry. If you know you won’t be able to retrieve your laundry on time, consider leaving a note on the machine stating so or be OK with someone removing your clothes from the machine.
Using a laundry basket to bring your clothes to and from the communal laundry space is helpful for you and other residents. This way, you can move your clothes to a drying machine after a wash. If you happen to forget about your laundry or can’t get it when it’s done, someone can move your clothes to the laundry basket, keeping them as clean and tidy as possible.
Plus, leaving your laundry basket next to the machine indicates you have plans to come back for your laundry ASAP, and someone won’t be as quick to take your laundry out themselves. Additionally, consider following some money-saving laundry tips to help reduce the overall costs of doing laundry in a communal setting.
Achieving a seamless and stress-free communal laundry space is easy when you follow these do’s and don’ts of how to use apartment laundry rooms:
It may be tempting to use just a little bit of your neighbor’s detergent, but it’s not yours to use without permission. Using your own laundry supplies that suit your preferences and clothing is best. A smart idea is to put all of your laundry supplies at the bottom of your laundry basket, so you always have them ready when you’re in the laundry room.
When your laundry is done in the wash, grab it as quickly as you can and move it to the dryer. This way, you don’t interrupt someone else’s laundry routine, and you ensure your clothes stay as clean and fresh as possible.
Check your lease and the rules displayed in the laundry facility to see the open hours of the laundry facilities. In some cases, waiting to do your laundry until the early hours of the morning can help you avoid a busy space, but it might cause a commotion in other situations.
The trash can in your building’s laundry room is solely for lint, dryer sheets and other laundry items. Never dispose of your personal trash in your laundry room, or you risk creating an unsanitary space.
Always clear the lint off the screen when you retrieve your dry clothing from a communal dryer. This quick and easy process prevents buildup that can become a fire hazard.
Caldwell & Gregory provides multi-housing buildings with personalized laundry solutions that meet their tenants’ specific needs. Because of our expertise in partnering with various apartment buildings and rental properties, we can identify your building’s best options to create a conducive, effective laundry space. Our technicians work hard to keep your public washing machines clean and operational with attentive services you can trust.
If you’re a property owner who’s interested in installing or upgrading one or more laundry rooms in your multi-housing building, we’re here to help with high-quality machines and payment systems. Visit our multi-housing page or contact us for more information.
