Most people who must use community laundry rooms groan and curse the setup. We get it—it’s much nicer to have in-unit laundry. However, if that’s not the case for you, that’s okay! We’re here to share some pro tips for living in an apartment with shared laundry. We’ll help you clean your clothes hassle-free and with respect for other tenants.
1. Know the Rules and Schedule
All shared laundry spaces post their guidelines and schedules. Make sure you know these rules and follow them. Though some rules might seem arbitrary, they are there to keep the machines in good condition and support high volumes of laundry every day. If you don’t respect the requests, you could only make things harder for your fellow tenants.
2. Use Timers
One of the cardinal rules of shared laundry living is to promptly remove your loads. Otherwise, you prevent other people from using the machines and risk having your clothes—wet or dry—unceremoniously chucked onto counters to free up space.
Set a timer when you start the machine and come back as soon as it goes off. Additionally, postpone laundry if you know you’ll need to be gone for several hours between loads.
3. Come Prepared
Bring everything you need in one go. Lugging your detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and quarters (if needed) back and forth is a hassle. Consider getting a wash-and-fold laundry bag with compartments for product storage or a simpler laundry bag and a caddy on the side. With the right carriers, you can get everything you need down to the laundry room and back to your apartment in one fell swoop.
4. Be Considerate of Others’ Space
Shared laundry spaces are, well, shared. Be considerate of other tenants’ space by not using more machines than necessary, especially during the busiest laundry times. If folding space is limited, take your clean clothes back to your apartment for sorting. A little consideration goes a long way in making the experience better for everyone.
5. Clean Up After Yourself
It only takes a moment to wipe down the washer or remove lint from the dryer filter after use. Doing these small tasks shows big consideration for fellow tenants and extends the life of the machines.
6. Avoid Peak Times
If you have a flexible schedule, consider doing your laundry during off-peak times like weekday mornings or late evenings. This makes it less likely that you’ll have to wait for machines and allows you to take your time without feeling rushed.
Image Credentials: photo by VAKSMANV, license #334502249
