Best Laundry Practices
I am about to move into a co-op that doesn’t allow individual washers or dryers. I can’t imagine how a small household manages laundry without going broke. The machines are so large! You must have to have lots more clothes, and nothing that’s worth separating for temperature, color, etc. On the building side, are there…
I am about to move into a co-op that doesn’t allow individual washers or dryers. I can’t imagine how a small household manages laundry without going broke. The machines are so large! You must have to have lots more clothes, and nothing that’s worth separating for temperature, color, etc. On the building side, are there co-ops that offer small machines? Are you aware of any co-ops that have changed their equipment or policies to make it easier and more affordable for shareholders? Reading the NYT blog about tenant wishlists yesterday, it’s easy to imagine that improving laundry facilities might be the smartest thing a building can do to increase its attractiveness.
don’t know of a solution for your problem but i hear you. hated the shared washing machines in my rental. you can’t really separate stuff and i ended up giving a lot of stuff to the dry cleaner (which is even more expensive) or hand washing it (which is annoying). i also find that the shared machines were generally really crappy and nothing would be really clean. i’m not american btw and usually don’t do the ‘hyper-cleaning’ stuff but i do want my clothes to be clean. only real solution is to get an apt with your own washing machine – have it now and it’s probably the thing i’m most happy about in my new apt
I think the best solution is a communal laundry room that offers efficient machines in all sizes –including very small — and an ironing board and iron. It would also offer clothes lines on the roof (especially for airing out bedding).
Okay, sorry, that was cranky and smug of me to say. I just mean… I don’t think owning an energy efficient washer is the only way you can be green!
Please disregard my snark. Was uncalled for.
I would assume that it’s never greener to have the plumbing redone and have each unit in a building have its own unit, as opposed to shared facilities.
However, I have also noticed that most people who worry about how green their buildings are take airline vacations, own cars, and buy into the “buying new green stuff cause it is green” ethos hook, line and sinker.
Manhattanite, so this is about efficiency? Assuming you will do the same amount of laundry as you did before, you have to think about how many loads you did before vs how many you do now? 8 mini loads vs 3 regular loads? I have a family of 4 and we do 3 loads a week in new, low water/high efficiency washers. That’s less than a load a person a week. Your very small machine may be more efficient per load, but you have to think about your overall energy consumption to be fair. Are you really going to want to go to the basement every time you need a bra washed?
Our building has a set-up very similar to Brooklynette’s. The giant machines are for your duvets and pillows and other big things.
I know you think it’s weird, but if you’re a shareholder, look at the financial statements and the water bill. It’s not cheap and the rate hike is 18% this year. I know you think your system is more efficient but it’s unlikely.
I have a very small, very efficient Bosch appliances in my current Manhattan apartment. It uses very little water – and actually gray water, as this is a green building. Our electricity is very low as well. The smallest machines I see in shared laundry facilities are still unnecessarily large to me. I was hoping I’d hear about buildings that found ways (or companies) to provide equally efficient services for shareholders. But I appreciate all of your tips on adjusting our wardrobe and washing habits in the meantime.
My coop in Clinton Hill just upgraded its laundry facilities. Washer/dryers aren’t allowed in the individual apts. For the reasons mentioned above, and also to avoid leaks which are common with older washers. There is one laundry room for one 12-story and 3 15-story buildings.
There are two gargantuan washers, and about 10 regular size front loaders. They take only HE detergent (otherwise too much suds). There are two giant dryers and 12 regular size dryers. There are two large tables for folding, and 4 or 5 wire baskets on wheels, and chairs to sit on if it’s not nice out. If it’s nice out, everyone sits out on the benches in the courtyard. Instead of quarters, we now have cards that must be refilled with a machine that takes $5, $10 or $20 bills. Everyone got $5 on their first card. Now I have a big bowl full of quarters I don’t need for laundry.
So, I’m curious to hear from landlords who actually supply washer/dryer to tenants for their use. Do landlords charge per load? If so, how? Or add a “use” charge to the rent? How do you calculate? Do you ever have a tenant who “overuses” the laundry facilities (washing every pair of jeans after one use; doing many small loads on full-load cycle; always using hot water; etc.). If so, how do you deal with that?
i find it really weird that someone who calls themselves ‘manhattanite’ would have an obsession with having a washer/dryer in his/her own home. how many households in nyc have washer/dryers in their own apartments????