Shared laundry rooms are a common source of frustration in multi-housing and university communities. Broken machines, abandoned laundry, and moldy odors often lead to late-night complaints and maintenance requests. For property managers and housing staff, these issues can quickly become costly and time-consuming. A simple way to reduce laundry room complaints is to educate residents on proper machine use and shared laundry room etiquette.
We know residents don’t always read instructions — but by providing simple, digestible laundry tips and using our technology, you can stop those 2 a.m. complaints and keep your laundry rooms safer, cleaner, and more usable for everyone.
One of the most frequent laundry mistakes is overloading the machine. Many residents think cramming more clothes into a washer will save time or money. However, overloading often prevents clothes from washing properly and strains internal parts. When machines are repeatedly overloaded, belts and bearings wear out faster, leading to costly repairs and unexpected downtime.
A simple rule to follow is the “palm trick.” If a hand can’t fit comfortably at the top of the drum, the washer is too full. This adjustment improves washing performance and protects equipment.
Modern laundry systems also help prevent this issue. Caldwell & Gregory machines feature digital displays and built-in safeguards that discourage overloading and make it easier for users to track cycle progress.
Another common issue in shared laundry spaces occurs when residents leave clothes in machines long after the cycle ends. These “ghost users” frustrate others waiting to use the equipment, which can escalate into conflicts. Encouraging proper etiquette in the shared laundry room can prevent many of these situations. Residents should set timers and promptly remove laundry when a cycle ends. These are especially useful laundry tips for college students living in shared housing environments.
Technology can also reduce unnecessary trips to the laundry room. With the C&G Pay App, users can check machine availability and receive notifications when their laundry cycle is complete. This cuts down wait times, prevents disputes and improves the overall laundry room experience.
Many residents think that using more detergent will make their clothes cleaner. In reality, too much soap can cause “suds lock,” which may interfere with sensors and leave residue inside the machine. Excessive detergent also leads to unpleasant odors and increases the risk of mold in washers.
Residents should use high-efficiency (HE) detergent and measure it carefully. Usually, only a small amount is needed to clean a standard load. By following this tip, users can prevent mold in laundry machines and keep laundry rooms fresh and hygienic for everyone.
Laundry machines sometimes break down due to heavy use, but reporting problems quickly can minimize downtime. Unfortunately, residents often wait days to report an issue or leave a note rather than submitting a service request on time. Encouraging residents to report problems immediately helps prevent small issues from becoming larger repairs.
With Caldwell & Gregory equipment, residents can simply scan the machine’s QR code to submit a ticket directly to the service team. This skips the leasing office and allows technicians to respond faster. For property managers, this means fewer complaints and quicker resolutions.
Clear residential laundry room guidelines can create a better living environment, but reliable equipment is equally important. Smart commercial laundry systems reduce user errors, improve efficiency and simplify maintenance.
Caldwell & Gregory provides managed laundry programs for academic housing and multi-housing communities. With modern payment technology, proactive maintenance and responsive service, these programs help property managers offer dependable laundry amenities without operational headaches.
Contact us today to learn how upgrading your laundry room can help you reduce complaints, improve reliability and enhance your residents’ experience.