Essential Laundry Equipment for College

College is a massive transition in virtually all areas of your life even in the more mundane and everyday responsibilities. For many college students, undergraduate life is the first time they handle laundry all on their own. As you start making a list of all the items you’ll need to succeed in college, make some room for this essential laundry equipment. These handy, convenient, and low-cost items will make your routine visits to the campus laundry room or local laundromat that much quicker and seamless.

Laundry basket.

The corner of the dorm room might seem like the perfect place to throw your laundry for the first few weeks of college, but you’ll quickly be looking for an alternative solution. That’s where laundry baskets come into play. They come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, but their basic function is identical: to keep your dirty clothes in one convenient place until laundry day comes around. The best laundry baskets for college students are compact, lightweight, and foldable in some way. This way, you can easily store it away when you’re not using it to maximize the limited amount of living space you’re dealing with in college.

Laundry bag.

While your laundry basket is perfect for stowing away dirty clothes, it’s probably not designed to take on the road. As a result, you’ll need a laundry bag to haul everything from your dorm to the laundry room. A large bag of any size will do just fine, just make sure it’s lightweight, comfortable, and spacious. You’ll have to fit days worth of clothing in there and might even have to carry it a decent way if you’re going to a local laundromat. If you can find a hybrid laundry basket-carrying bag that gets the job done, you’re killing two laundry birds with one stone.

Detergent.

Detergent is critical when it comes to keeping your clothes clean and smelling fresh. There are plenty of high-quality detergents that get the job done, but the variety gives you room to choose what fits your needs best. The best detergent will depend on a few factors including your budget, the strength of cleaning your clothes demand, your scent preferences, and any sensitivities or allergies you might have. Some laundromats sell detergent which is convenient in a pinch. However, bringing your own detergent is going to save you a lot of money in the long run while giving you the ability to find a product that works perfectly for you.

Clothes hangers.

One of the most painful laundromat experiences is pulling out your favorite shirt or pair of pants from the dryer only to see them completely ruined. Sensitive materials such as faux leather, silk, wool, and suede aren’t designed to get tumble dried at high temperatures. This is where clothes hangers are essential. Read the tags on your clothes to figure out which items need to get hung up to dry instead of thrown in the dryer. You might find enough space to air dry your clothes in the laundry facility, but you can always move them to your dorm room with hangers.

Mesh bags.

Mesh bags are an effective way to protect more sensitive materials from becoming damaged during the washing and drying cycles. Undergarments, wool fabric, and other sensitive items can get snagged on zippers which can cause irreparable tears and holes. Instead of having to pay extra by separating loads, you can simply invest in a handful of mesh bags that protect your more at-risk clothing. These bags are incredibly affordable, easy to use, and highly effective. No more spin cycles of death! You can rest assured your clothes will remain intact.

Interested in getting more actionable advice for improving your routine trip to the laundromat? Check out CoinMeter’s insider tips and tricks so you can keep your clothes in tip-top shape and smelling great no matter what life throws your way.

Laundry Myths That Are Actually Damaging Your Clothes

There are a lot of laundry room tips and tricks passed along by oral tradition intended to help people keep their clothes clean, stain-free, and smelling fresh. In reality, there are some fairly widespread myths that actually end up damaging your clothes instead of making them cleaner. Let’s pinpoint some of these misconceptions so you can save time and energy by making your laundry trips as efficient as possible.

You can completely fill the washer.

We’ve all been guilty of stuffing the washing machine to the brim in an effort to get as many clothes clean as possible. The general misconception is that if the clothes fit and the washer runs, then the clothes must be clean at the end of the cycle. In reality, you get less clean for your buck the more clothes you stuff into a load. The detergent will struggle to get in direct contact with each item of clothing. Plus, there will be less water for every article. In general, you should never fill up a washing machine to more than 75% of its capacity.

Clothes should be washed after every use.

No matter what you might’ve heard, your clothes don’t need to get washed after every use. Not only is this a great way to run up your energy costs but overwashing can limit the lifespan of your clothes. All fabrics become more susceptible to damage the more they’re washed. The tumbling in the washer and dryer, the high temperatures, and even the detergent can have a detrimental effect when done too often. Other than undergarments and workout attire, most clothes can go multiple uses before needing a wash without smelling bad.

The hotter the water, the cleaner the clothes.

Hot water doesn’t always mean cleaner clothes. In the past, the water temperature was one of the primary ways washing machines killed bacteria and remove stains. However, modern detergents are effective at cleaning clothes even in cooler water. Always setting the washer to the highest temperature setting can ruin some fabrics and even cause stains. Always read clothing labels to know what kind of water temperature is ideal. You’ll keep your clothes in better condition while still ensuring they get the proper and thorough clean you need. When in doubt, a warm setting is a good balance to strike.

The more detergent the better.

The old adage about too much of a good thing going bad is applicable to the laundry room when it comes to using detergent. It’s vital for keeping clothes clean, but there’s a point of diminishing returns. Just because you toss in more detergent doesn’t mean it’s going to work harder to clean your clothes. There is an ideal amount at which point your clothes will get as clean as possible. Beyond that point, you run the risk of having excess detergent leaving residue. Always consult the detergent label to determine precisely how much to use given the load size and type of clothes.

There’s no such thing as too many dryer sheets.

Dryer sheets are the unsung heroes of the drying cycle. They help speed up drying time while leaving your clothes smelling fresh and sweet. These advantages make it tempting to throw in a generous amount of dryer sheets with the expectation that you’ll just get more of those benefits. Instead, your dryer will struggle to operate optimally as the residue from the dryer sheets will quickly clog up the lint trap and lead to congestion. One or two dryer sheets are more than enough depending on how many clothes you’re drying at once.

Interested in learning more about how you can optimize your trips to the laundry facility? Check out Coin Meter to get insider tricks and tips for doing laundry like a pro.

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.

What to Look for When Choosing a Service Provider

Finding the right service provider is one of the most important decisions to make as the owner of a laundry facility. These partners set the tone for your business as they determine the type of equipment and the quality of servicing you receive.

The decision might seem daunting at first, but there’s actually a pretty clear answer. To help put your laundry business on the path to success, let’s take a look at some things laundry facility owners should consider when choosing a service provider.

Personalization
Every laundry facility is different. What works for you might not work for another laundry facility owner. As a result, it’s imperative to find a service provider who can accommodate your unique needs. Large providers offer one-size-fits-all solutions that don’t take your facility’s specific circumstances into account.

On the other hand, local service providers such as Coin Meter Company offer personalized services to ensure you get exactly what you need. From the type of equipment you receive to how it’s positioned and beyond, everything is catered to your demands.

Experience
Whether you’re the new laundry business on the block or a veteran in the industry, you want a service provider with a proven track record of success. Working with an experienced dealer comes with a variety of advantages. First and foremost, you can rest assured that their services are streamlined, effective, and high-quality. This limits any costly delays or hiccups.

Your business also stands to benefit greatly from the expertise these providers have gained over the years in the industry. For example, Coin Meter Company is one of the most qualified service providers in the northwest with over 40 years of experience. We know what it takes to run a successful laundry facility and can make sure you have what you need to grow.

Quality
The service provider you choose has a major impact on the overall quality of your services. These professionals will supply your laundry facility’s equipment and provide routine maintenance. The wrong service provider can end up hurting your business, while an excellent partner will help you succeed.

It’s critical to find a service provider that offers high-quality commercial equipment and comprehensive servicing so you can continue providing your clients with the efficiency, standard, and quality they deserve. A great way to determine a provider’s value is to review testimonials from current and previous clients to see what their experiences were like.

Location
National corporations might have superior funding, but these distant, faceless giants can’t compete with local providers in terms of service. When you work with a regional-focused service provider, you’re gaining a major advantage over the competition. Local partners have the flexibility to meet your laundry facility’s specific needs to ensure your business is running optimally.

With active service teams never more than a few minutes away, local service providers can offer quick response times. While national providers will have you waiting days or even weeks, local providers like Coin Meter Company can send a repair team over within the day! This way, you can drastically reduce costly downtime by keeping your machines fully functioning.

Cost-Effective
There’s nothing more draining to a small laundry business than getting nickel-and-dimed by an oversized and unnecessarily expensive service provider. Local service providers are the solution to the scourge of national providers siphoning funds from small laundromats across the country. But you don’t want something cheap either.

Luckily, you want to find a local service provider with a perfect balance between quality and affordability. Coin Meter Company has spent the past four decades perfecting its service offerings to provide local laundry facilities with unrivaled quality without putting undue financial pressures on partners. It’s a win-win!

Looking for a reputable, experienced, and quality service provider? You’re in the right place! Coin Meter Company has been supporting local laundry facilities across the northwest for over 40 years. Feel free to contact us to learn more about how our services can benefit your business.