When it comes to apartment living, you may be more likely to live with a shared laundry room rather than in-unit washers and dryers. What is proper laundry room etiquette, and how can you make the most out of living with a shared laundry facility?
What is a Shared Laundry Room?
Shared laundry rooms are a common approach to having on-site laundry without installing washer/dryer hookups in every unit. Shared laundry rooms will typically consist of an on-site space with multiple washers and dryers that residents share. These machines may be coin- and/or card-operated, or simply require residents to access the room with a key or fob.
Keep the Laundry Room Clean
One of the biggest cons of sharing an apartment laundry room is the potential for mess. More people can mean more potential for trash and spills. If you’re using a shared laundry space, don’t throw any food items into communal trash cans. Trash cans in the laundry room may not be emptied as frequently, and you’ll increase the chances of attracting pests and bugs.
Make sure you change the lint traps in the dryers after every use. It’s up to your maintenance department or landlord to clean the dryer vents, but you as a renter can ensure top performance by emptying the lint traps.
You should also be mindful of your detergent, softener, and bleach usage. Using too much detergent or too much bleach can leave unwanted residues in washing machines and push certain parts to degrade faster.
Time Your Laundry Effectively
The most important aspect of working with a shared laundry room is to maximize your time and others’ time. You don’t want to leave your dirty clothes sitting in the washer or dryer while someone else is waiting for a machine. If you’ve ever lived in a dormitory or used a laundromat or any other shared laundry situation, you know how irritating it can be when someone removes your laundry when it’s done – or not done – and just sets it on a machine. Avoid this problem by timing your laundry.
Don’t start a load and leave for the day. Instead, set a timer on your phone and change out your clothes when they’re done, this way other residents can use the machines they need.
Don't Try to Reserve a Washer or Dryer
These days, almost everyone has a busy schedule, meaning household chores sometimes fall by the wayside. If you share a laundry room, however, don’t try to preemptively start laundry day by setting your hamper or belongings on a washer or dryer not in use. If you’re not actively using a machine, let another resident who’s ready to start their laundry take it.
Wait until your clothes are finished washing to claim a dryer as well. You want every resident to have their chance to get laundry done.
What Should You Do With Other People's Laundry?
Waiting for another resident to clear their laundry out of a machine will most likely be the most persistent problem you face in a shared laundry room. A good rule of laundry room etiquette is you should never move anyone’s stuff if you can help it. You don’t want to cause any conflict over someone’s personal belongings.
However, if you absolutely have to use a machine, it’s a good rule of thumb to wait at least 10 to 20 minutes to see if the resident in question is coming back for their laundry. Taking clothes out of a dryer and placing them on top of a machine is much more acceptable than removing someone’s wet clothes and placing them elsewhere. If you don’t have to pay for each machine use, some might say to place someone else’s clothes from the washer into the dryer, but maybe everything in that load isn’t fit to be tumble dried.
If you can tell for certain whose clothes are sitting there, and you know those neighbors well enough, it is fine to knock on their door and let them know you need the machine. In most cases, just wait a few minutes to see if the resident is coming back for their laundry.
Be Prepared Before Using the Laundry Room
If you use an on-site laundry space it may be a bit of a walk from your unit, so to maximize your time and to ensure you don’t leave others waiting for a machine, make sure you’re prepared. Be sure all the clothes you wish to wash are ready to go in a hamper, basket, or laundry bag. You should also bring any detergents, softeners, dryer sheets, etc. with you to avoid multiple trips. And don’t forget coins or other forms of payment if you have to pay for your laundry service.
It’s wise to bring your detergent and other items back to your unit after you’ve started washing your clothes. If you leave them in the laundry room another resident may use them. A good practice is to have a separate bag with your soaps, coins, and any other items you need for laundry so you can simply grab it on the way out. You don’t want to make it a habit to rely on other residents for detergent or coins.
Respect Your Fellow Residents
Sharing a laundry room with multiple renters can be a balancing act. Just remember to respect everyone’s space and belongings at the end of the day. If you’re not sure if someone is using a machine, don’t be afraid to politely ask. Making assumptions can make for an awkward situation.
If you see a new resident struggling with the laundry equipment, offer to assist them. It’s important to make every communal space in your complex a place where every resident can come together. After all, we all put our pants on one leg at a time.
