For many people, apartment living brings with it a shared laundry room. This means you don’t need to go to a laundromat, but it also means that you will come into contact with your fellow apartment dwellers at one time or another.
Shared spaces like laundry rooms need some ground rules to keep the peace. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Contents
Patience
The laundry room is for everyone in the building to use and is a shared space. Laundry rooms in apartment buildings can be a great convenience, but it’s important to be considerate of your fellow residents when using them. This means that you should be respectful of other people’s time and space. If the room is full, be patient and wait your turn.
Check The Availability Of Washing Machines And Dryers Before Using Them
This seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people forget (or ignore) this rule. There’s nothing worse than getting your laundry all sorted and then realizing that every single machine is taken. So save yourself the headache and check first.
Some laundry rooms have signs indicating which machines are available, or if applicable, you can check the app for your building.
Consider Off-Hours Laundering
If you have a lot of laundry to do, try to do it during the quiet hours, as long as this falls within the laundry room rules.
This will help to avoid overcrowding in the room. The best times to do laundry are typically early in the morning or at night when most tenants are asleep. So try to plan your laundry day accordingly.
Be Prepared Before Using The Laundry Room
It’s important to be prepared before using the laundry room. Make sure you have your laundry, detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and any other supplies you need so that you’re not taking up space or time while others are waiting to use the machines.
Do some of your prep prior to going to the laundry room to save time, such as sorting your dirty laundry and checking the pockets. If anything needs to be pre-soaked, do this before your trip to the laundry room.
Only Use The Machines For Their Intended Purpose
Don’t try to wash something that’s not supposed to go in the washing machine, and don’t put things in the dryer that don’t belong there.
This seems like common sense but you wouldn’t believe how often people try to put things in the washing machine or dryer that shouldn’t even be in the laundry room, let alone the washer or dryer. Please save everyone the trouble and only use each machine for its intended purpose.
Clean Up Spills Immediately
It’s important to clean up any spills in the laundry room, especially if it’s bleach. Bleach is a harsh chemical and can cause damage to the floors and machines if it’s not cleaned up properly. Worse, if another tenant puts their favorite slinky dress in a puddle of bleach, it’ll be ruined.
So please be diligent in cleaning up any spills and make sure to disinfect the area afterward. This will help keep the room clean and safe for everyone to use.
Respect The Time Limit For Each Machine
Most laundry rooms have time limits posted so that everyone has a chance to use the laundry facilities and this is for a reason! Everyone needs to do their laundry, so please be considerate and stick to the posted time limits.
Set The Timer On Your Phone
Most washer and dryer cycles take 30 to 45 minutes. Setting a timer will keep you up to date on its progress, especially if you need to leave the laundry room unexpectedly.
No Reservations
It’s important to be considerate of your fellow residents and not try to reserve a washer or dryer. If everyone tries to reserve a machine in advance, it will leave no machines for anyone else to use. So please be respectful and don’t monopolize the machines.
Don’t Hog The Washers (or Dryers)
Don’t try to do 3 months of laundry in one day. Be courteous to the other tenants and do a load of dirty clothes whenever you have time and you’ll be less stressed.
Don’t Leave Your Laundry Unattended
Leaving your laundry unattended can lead to all sorts of problems. For one, it can leave the machines monopolized for an extended period of time, preventing other residents from being able to do their laundry. It can also attract rodents or other pests and create a mess that someone else will have to clean up.
So please be respectful of your fellow residents and don’t leave your laundry unattended. If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, try to schedule a time for someone else to do your laundry for you. That way, everyone can enjoy the convenience of the laundry room without any issues.
If there is an emergency and you MUST leave the laundry room, leave an empty laundry basket in front of the washer or dryer so the next person has somewhere to throw your clothes when the cycle has ended.
About Removing Other Tenants’ Washing
There may be a specific policy in your building regarding this explosive issue. People can be very touchy when people touch someone else’s clothes. If not, here are some general guidelines:
If another tenant has left their laundry in the washer or dryer and the cycle has ended, give them about 10 to 15 minutes to retrieve their clothes. If they haven’t returned by then, try to contact them to see if they need help.
If they can’t be reached or don’t need assistance, go ahead and remove their clothes from the machine and place them in a laundry hamper or on the folding table, if available.
Leave them or note or try to contact them to let them know the situation.
Clean Up After Yourself
Nobody wants to do their laundry in a messy room, so please make sure you wipe down the machines when you’re done. Also, dispose of any lint or other trash. Leaving a mess for your neighbors to clean up is not only rude but can also lead to conflict.
Keeping the laundry room clean and tidy is important for everyone’s peace of mind. Make sure you take all your belongings with you when you leave. This includes your clothes, detergent, used dryer sheets – everything! And whatever you do, don’t leave your wet clothes lying around – put them away as soon as they’re done.
Keep The Noise Level Down
Many people do their laundry at night or early in the morning when other apartment dwellers are asleep. They don’t want to be disturbed by loud music or talking. So keep the volume down and be respectful of other people’s peace and quiet.
Be Respectful Of Other People’s Property
If you’re using the laundry room, you need to be respectful of other people’s property. This means not putting your wet clothes on someone else’s dryer or folding their clothes for them.
Report Any Damage Or Malfunctions To Management
Report any damage or malfunctions to management. If a machine isn’t working properly, let someone know so that it can be fixed. Otherwise, it just causes more headaches for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Following these simple laundry room etiquette rules will help everyone in the building enjoy using this communal space. And who knows, you might even make some new friends along the way!
