How To Maximize Your Laundry Day Efficiency And Productivity, And How To Be A Good Laundry Room User

First, due to some recent feedback and observations shared with our team, we wanted to share some guidelines and tips for best use of Speed Queen machines. Following these guidelines will maximize how effective your washes will be, and improve the treatment and condition of your clothes and linens. Also, following guidelines particularly as it relates to detergent use and load size can help improve your wash experience AND the next users experience too.

(Special thanks to Vanessa Glass for contributing to this post.)

For Users of Speed Queen Machines in a Laundry Facility

1. Use Liquid Detergent Instead of Powder (When Possible), and use less…

• Powder doesn’t dissolve well in cold water.
• Undissolved powder is the #1 cause of residue left in the compartment.
• If using powder, dissolve it in a cup of warm water first before pouring it in.
• AND, less is more – usually half the soap the manufacturer calls for, is more than enough for the average load. Of course they want you to use more fast – so they sell more!

2. Don’t Overfill Any Compartment

• Follow the MAX line strictly.
• Overfilling causes early release and can lead to bleach spotting, sticky softener residue, gummy buildup that blocks the next user’s cycle.
• Less is more — commercial machines are powerful.
• Using excessive soap will likely result in soap residue being baked into your fabrics int he dryer, which can attract dirt and age your fabrics faster over time.

3. Always Dilute Bleach, and…

• Bleach is terrible for the environment and very hard on fabrics – try to avoid use if you can. An excellent alternative is products like oxy-clean, which is very good at stain removal for whites and colors.
• Undiluted bleach is one of the biggest causes of staining.
• Mix bleach with water before pouring into the bleach compartment (where present).
• Never pour bleach directly onto clothes.
• Never add bleach after the machine has already started filling.

4. Dilute Fabric Softener

• Fabric softener is thick and can clog shared dispensers (if present).
• Before pouring, mix 1 part softener with 1 part warm water. This helps it mix more efficiently, and flush completely during the rinse cycle.
• Prevents staining and leftover residue for the next user.
• Clothes with excessive fabric softener tend to attract more dirt AND age faster.
• THIS ACTUALLY GOES THE SAME FOR DRYERS – Half the average dryer sheet is plenty effective, even for a large load.

5. Check For Products Already Present

• Inspect machine before pouring.
• If you see leftover liquid from a prior user, wipe it with a paper towel before adding your product.
• If there is excessive product (or for trays heavily clogged), notify management instead of adding more product. And frankly, you can’t know if leftover product is appropriate for your laundry.

6. Load the Machine Properly

• Overloading prevents proper rinsing and can cause detergent not fully dissolving, uneven distribution leaving an opportunity for soiled fabrics to not get full clean, and softener/bleach staining.
• Leave enough space for clothes to move freely.
• The less clothing, the more fresh water contact on your fabrics, which is the most important thing you need for effective and efficient cleansing.
• THIS GOES JUST AS IMPORTANTLY FOR DRYERS – and in fact, as your volume of laundry increases in a dryer, the amount of energy needed for clothes to get dry increases almost exponentially – so smaller loads are actually the best use of your money over time.

7. Avoid Pods in Dispenser Drawers – If using pods, place them directly in the drum before clothes. Never put pods in the detergent drawer.

Common Mistakes That Cause Staining in Shared Machines – Here is the quick list of things to help save your laundry from unintended stains:

• Pouring bleach into the detergent slot
• Mixing detergent and softener in the same compartment
• Overusing detergent (“more soap = cleaner” is false)
• Using powder in cold water without dissolving it
• Adding products after the machine has started filling

Past Complaints And Incidents In The Laundry Room Serve To Remind Us To Be Good Neighbors And Help Maintain A Positive Living Experience For All

From a past post, here are things to keep in mind when using the space – some of this is common sense, some is based on complaints and some of this is Park Tower policy:

·       PLEASE REMOVE YOUR LAUNDRY after the cycle has completed. Users should plan to remove their laundry within 5 minutes of the cycle ending. Keep an eye on the clock or set a timer if you need to, but make sure to remove it within a reasonable timeframe.  Both washers and dryers.  If you do not, other users are welcome to respectfully and politely remove your load to a nearby counter. And if you find your laundry has been removed, it is not license for you to angrily fling the other users laundry out of the machine haphazardly, particularly if the cycle is not finished.

Here I will add – the appropriate response if you have a complaint about anyone’s behavior or handling of your laundry, is to contact management and let us properly investigate and respond professionally. Let’s avoid starting feuds or laundry wars. It is absolutely considered polite and appropriate for other users who are waiting, to cautiously and considerately remove your laundry to the nearest counter-top.

·       PLEASE DO NOT overload the machines—for your good and the machines. Users have been observed cramming laundry all the way up to the brim! Your clothes won’t get clean this way so your wasting your money, but this can also cause mechanical problems and even leaking or flooding. Instructions are posted warning users not to overload. This not only causes problems for your loads of laundry but mechanical problems and flooding can delay others. If you have a maid service or someone else come in and do your laundry, share this with them this as well. You are ultimately responsible for those who are doing your laundry.

·       PLEASE DO NOT use excessive detergent….you might be surprised to know, that you can likely use a fraction of the recommended dose of detergent for most brands, and your clothes will get just as clean. Oftentimes less soap reduces wear and tear on most fabrics. Especially cotton. Also, excessive suds may result in an error message or the machine may stop mid-load. Clothes will be floating in the water, and sadly, you may have to purchase another load for your wash to finish. A little soap goes a long way; more soap does not necessarily mean MORE CLEAN.

·       PLEASE DO NOT ADD WATER to the machines. Not sure where this idea came from, but again, these machines are calibrated for certain amounts of water and soap for certain cycles, and adding water can cause mechanical problems or failures and even leaking or flooding.

·       PLEASE OBEY THE POSTED RULES, REGULATIONS and all machine instructions. In addition, below we have quoted the Laundry Room rules from the PTCA handbook.

The bottom line, please be respectful of your neighbors and our equipment. Be courteous and mindful that this is an amenity for the comfort and convenience of all residents.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and efforts to help maintain a positive living experience for all PTCA residents!

FROM THE PTCA Rules and Regulations Handbook:

LAUNDRY FACILITIES

The laundry facilities are located on 1P and are accessed only by the service elevators. The Laundry Room is available to residents only and for personal use only. Facilities are open and accessible every day from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

The washers/dryers do not accept cash. Park Tower management uses a vendor to service washers and dryers. Laundry cards may be purchased through the VTM machine located in the Laundry Room. Money can be added to the card. Credit and debit cards may also be used. Fees for cards and operation are posted. 

In case of a machine malfunction, residents shall place an “Out of Order” sign on the machine and notify the Management Office of the problem. The service company will reimburse the resident for any money lost as a result of malfunctioning equipment or a defective laundry card.  The Management Office may be contacted to initiate the reimbursement process.

Residents should contact the Management Office or the building staff immediately in case the VTM machine is inoperable. An  “emergency card” may be borrowed from the Front Desk; this card and any monies used shall be returned to the lockbox at the Front Desk on the same day.

Smoking, eating, audible music, loud telephone conversations, and use of speakerphones are prohibited in the Laundry Room.

Ironing and hand-washing laundry is prohibited. Rinsing and treating stains of individual items can be done at the washbasin.

Tables and countertops are intended only for folding and organizing laundry.

Laundry appliances shall be kept clean including exterior appearances and interior washer and dryer lint traps. Patrons should remove laundry no later than five minutes after completion of the cycle.

The association does not assume responsibility for loss or damage associated with the use of the laundry machines and/or any laundry left unattended.

If you have any questions, complaints or observations to share, write us at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com.