Space saving, cost saving, planet saving: Efficient washer and dryer solutions

Guest laundry facilities are a must-have for many hotel, motel, resort and holiday park guests, so getting them right is essential no matter your accommodation type.

Commonly, accommodation providers have limited space for laundry facilities. This can be a problem from the smallest, boutique venues, where every room is accounted for, up to large holiday parks which need enough washers and dryers for substantial numbers of guests.

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Using space wisely

Making the most of a guest laundry room starts with planning for the available space. Sometimes, the simplest answers are the best ones; stacking washers and dryers is a popular choice in homes and businesses across Australia for a reason.

Nick Jones from Laundry Solutions Australia said going vertical is the ultimate space saving solution. “The best way that accommodation owners and managers can make use of smaller spaces is to utilise stacked washer/dryers instead of side by side. This instantly halves your equipment footprint to allow space for other items if required.”

Modular washer/dryers can be a useful choice for accommodation providers considering stacked units. These units give the immediate space-saving benefit, with safety concerns addressed, and no need to do the heavy lifting.

Slimline machines can also be a good option, especially in short-stay facilities where guests aren’t likely to need to process large amounts of washing. Consider who will be using the facilities and what their needs are likely to be to help make an informed choice.

Once the laundry room is set up, it can pay to use it as if you were a guest, to check that there is enough space to use the machines and manoeuvre around the room with a laundry bag or basket. This will mean you can make adjustments before issues arise with guests.

Sustainable, affordable choices

Washers and dryers are a great example of sustainability and affordability working together; making good initial choices in laundry equipment can be both eco-friendly and long-term cost saving.

When looking for sustainable washers, consider water saving machines as well as ones that offer efficient cold cycles. Some have additional eco-friendly technologies including weighing loads to ensure appropriate water levels, or adding gases to make cold washes more powerful.

Mr Jones said choosing the right equipment for the job was the most effective sustainability choice. “Ensure that the equipment you use has low requirements but is still able to achieve the ideal outcome. For washers, you want to go with a lower water usage which can be found in front loaders, and for dryers you want to make sure that their power requirements are suitable for the dry time and performance they offer.”

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Modern, commercial dryers also generally dry much faster than older models, so can help pay for themselves more quickly, he said.

“A commercial dryer can achieve a dry time of approximately 45 minutes with a 4kW power supply, whereas a  domestic machine will use a similar power supply or less but can take 90 minutes or more.”

Varied payment options 

Machine payment options have evolved in recent years; alongside the traditional coin operation, card and app payments are becoming more common.

The best choice of payment options might differ depending on your setting, Mr Jones said.

“Make sure your payment options suit what your guests would expect to pay with to get their laundry done. Are these guests likely to prefer coin, card, or perhaps both? Get feedback from your guests about their payment preferences and work with them to ensure you meet their expectations.”

The practical aspects of each method may also affect this decision. For coin operated machines, have a plan for guests who need to change notes, whether this is keeping a good float on hand or even installing a change machine in the laundry room. Staff should be confident in how card or app payments work to help guests with troubleshooting as needed.

Guest usability  

Guests will expect a smooth, hassle free experience when using laundry facilities.  

Mr Jones said there were a number of ways to achieve a good guest user experience. “First and foremost is to make sure you have working equipment, as no one likes to walk into a laundry and realise that, of the two machines available, one is in use and the other is out of order. Make sure you stay on top of your equipment’s service and maintenance requirements, so people always have working options.

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“The second way is to make sure you have enough equipment available to match the number of guests likely to use the laundry equipment. One stacked washer dryer might be enough for nine guests, but double that and then you might end up with complaints about the washer or dryer never being available. Keep note and ensure you have space available to expand if you think it may be needed down the track.”

Durability and maintenance 

It can be tempting to choose a residential-grade washer or dryer for initial cost reasons, particularly in smaller accommodation venues with lower guest numbers.

However, this is likely to be a false economy. Commercial-grade machines are built to more rugged specifications, so can better withstand the wear and tear of frequent use.

To remain in best working order, even commercial machines need regular servicing and maintenance. Staying on top of the maintenance cycle can be the most cost-effective option in the long run, as small issues can be rectified before they become big ones.

Finding the right solutions for your accommodation’s guest laundry can take some time and careful thought, but conscientious planning at the beginning can save time, money and headaches in the longer run.

This article first appeared in the Autumn edition of AccomNews. Click below to explore.