Dispelling 5 Myths About Adding a Laundry Facility to Your Property

Running a multi-unit property is a tough job. You have to maintain upkeep for entire apartment complexes or campuses and keep residents happy while maintaining a positive budget. Naturally, property owners are cautious about how and where they invest.

Laundry facilities are a popular point of contention within this line of work with some property owners swearing by them and others avoiding them at all costs. Here, we’re going to uncover some of the popular myths regarding shared laundry rooms to help property owners gain a better understanding of their value.

Myth #1: It’s too expensive to run.
As a property owner, you’re only going to make investments that make fiscal sense. And given the perceived cost of running a laundry facility, most people assume it simply isn’t worthwhile. The cost of purchasing the equipment, paying for repairs, and covering utility expenses seems too high for it to be worthwhile.

The Reality: A laundry facility is a significant investment for property owners. There’s no doubt about that. However, many people fail to see the ROI this investment can provide. Not only are properly-run laundry rooms highly profitable, but they also can increase resident retention. It’s an investment that can pay for itself multiple times over the years.

Myth #2: Tenants aren’t going to use it.
Understandably, owners are hesitant about putting money into anything that their tenants won’t use. After all, if renters don’t take advantage of what you provide, it’s essentially a waste of money. Unfortunately, it’s a common myth among property owners that residents will opt for laundromats instead of on-site laundry facilities.

The Reality: Laundry facilities are some of the most commonly used shared spaces in rental properties. The majority of people report doing laundry twice each week with nearly a third doing laundry every single day! Even tenants who currently do their laundry elsewhere will gladly settle for going down the hall instead of down the road. On-premise laundry facilities are incredibly convenient as they help tenants save time and money.

Myth #3: Laundry facilities require a ton of oversight.
Another common misconception about laundry facilities is the amount of time they require from property owners. You already have enough on your plate managing a multi-tenant property, so the idea of bringing on anything that demands more of your attention seems foolish.

The Reality: Modern laundry facilities with state-of-the-art equipment are almost entirely automated, requiring zero daily oversight from owners. You’ll only need to show up to collect cash and coins from the machines, clean up every once in a while, and manage the occasional equipment issue – which leads us to another common myth about laundromats.

Myth #4: Equipment upkeep is expensive and time-consuming.
There are two commodities property owners can never get enough of: time and money. That’s why so many believe a shared laundry facility is a net loss. Horror stories of busted and malfunctioning equipment fuel the myth that commercial laundry equipment requires constant maintenance, resulting in wasted time and investments.

The Reality: Modern, capable, and premium-quality commercial laundry equipment requires minimal upkeep. Property owners can avoid the time and money drains they fear by resisting the temptation to purchase low-quality, used machines. Plus, you can even find providers who offer same-day, affordable maintenance so you never have to worry about repairs.

Myth #5: Commercial equipment costs a fortune.
One of the strongest falsehoods surrounding shared laundry facilities is the cost of adding new commercial equipment. Property owners only have to take a gander at the price tag of a brand-new washer or dryer to get instantly turned off by the idea.

The Reality: It’s true that new commercial equipment is expensive. However, there’s another way for property managers to get the washers and dryers they need to open a shared laundry facility. There are commercial providers that will install equipment completely free while only requiring a fraction of your earnings. That’s free equipment for no extra work on your part!

Wondering where you can find a reliable commercial laundry provider? Look no further! The Coin Meter Company has been supplying local property owners throughout the northwest with state-of-the-art laundry equipment at no cost. We even offer routine servicing to keep things running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer.

What College Students Want to See in a Laundry Facility

Whether you’re running an apartment complex specifically for college students or want them to comprise a good portion of your Residents, there are some important things to keep in mind regarding laundry your facilities. Although all of your resident’s main goal is to get their laundry clean, each demographic has unique expectations.

College students are no exception to this rule. When set up correctly, your laundry facility can become the go-to place for students to get their laundry done which can translate into amenity to attract students years after year! Here, we’ll take a look at some things college students want to see in a laundry facility.

Security features
Unless your laundry facility is on-campus or in an apartment building, it’s advisable to implement some safety features. These protective measures can give college students extra peace of mind making them feel more at ease when using your facility. In addition to keeping your patrons safe, these safety measures also work to protect your laundry facility from vandalism.

Door and window locks are the most basic yet effective forms of security. If you really want to take things to the next level, you could install an around-the-clock surveillance system. Adding a list of relevant emergency contacts including yourself, other owners of the facility, campus police, and emergency responders is also a great safety measure.

WiFi Connection
In the 21st century, people have come to expect every public place to offer a WiFi connection. This is especially true of college students who are used to always being connected on campus. Whether they need to get some homework done or want to catch up on their favorite show, college students will appreciate having a reliable and strong connection.

It’s an excellent way to set yourself apart from the competition. Just make sure to advertise it! If you’re worried about having an open network, you could set up a password and post it throughout the laundromat so only patrons can access the WiFi. 

Laundry Tips
College students are often given a hard time for not knowing how to do their own laundry, but there’s some truth to it. College marks the first time that many students will be doing laundry on their own. A great way to establish your laundry facility as the ideal spot for college students is to cater to this need by offering residents some helpful laundry tips.

You could post a cheat sheet of college student laundry tips throughout your facility and on your website to guide these customers through the basics of laundry. If you want to take things a step further, you could even create a grid of different loads with corresponding washer settings so college students know exactly what to do. It’s a small gesture that can go a long way!

Dynamic Payment Options
College students are used to convenience and have come to expect it everywhere, even at laundry facilities. A great way to make your facilities more accessible is by offering multiple payment options. Not only is there a national coin shortage, but college students aren’t always going to have a bunch of spare change on hand to do laundry.

Luckily, it’s not difficult to get your hands on capable commercial equipment that accepts multiple payment options. For example, Coin Meter Company offers industry-leading washers and dryers that accept coins, credit cards, debit cards, and even specialized laundry cards. These dynamic payment options also increase your potential revenue.

If you’re looking to upgrade one your laundry rooms at an apartment or dormitory, you’re in the right place! Coin Meter Company is a leading local provider of commercial laundry equipment. We’ve helped countless housing owners and managers optimize their laundry facilities to increase resident’s retention and boost satisfaction.