5 Hidden Costs of Maintaining an On-Premise Laundry Room for Residents

Did you know that you should wash your white shirts after every single wear? Gym clothes should also be washed after every wear and jeans after every five wears.

Laundry facilities on premises can make the life of residents easier. If you are considering on-site facilities, keep in mind that laundry room installation costs can be higher than you anticipate because of hidden costs.

It’s not just about the cost of your equipment. Before you make a decision to maintain an on-premises laundry room, keep on reading to understand all the hidden costs.

1. Cost of Space

First, consider the cost of the space. Your communal laundry room will need its own space. If you don’t have any space, you will need to spend money on renovations to create the space.

The renovations will involve wiring and plumbing, and sometimes a complete overhaul of your premises. It also includes potential upgrades in the future to accommodate changing needs.

2. Laundry Room Repair Costs

The cost of a laundry room includes repair costs when the equipment breaks down. Even the toughest commercial laundry facilities will have to deal with repair costs. Repair costs for a washing machine include the labor costs, cost of replacement parts, and the brand of the washing machine at an average cost of $50 to $180.

3. Ongoing Laundry Room Maintenance

To avoid repair costs, you will want to conduct ongoing maintenance to ensure that your equipment runs well. This can save you money in the long term, including damage to your building caused by leaks. Ongoing maintenance includes replacing water hoses, cleaning filters, and cleaning the equipment.

4. Utilities

You will also have to deal with utility costs, including water and electricity. These costs will increase as your equipment ages, or your equipment breaks down.

The cost will also vary depending on usage. While a portion of the utilities can be offset by the profits, inefficient machines can end up increasing this cost.

5. Liability Insurance

Your on-premise laundry facilities can lead to damage to your building, including water damage, fire, and vandalism. To protect your commercial property from these damages, you want to make sure that you have the right coverage with liability insurance. You can also get sued if someone gets hurt in your laundry room.

However, this will add to the cost of your laundry room. The premiums that you pay will depend on the age of your equipment, the number of apartments and residents, and the location of the building. You can get coverage for property damage, loss of income, equipment breakdown, and sewer backup.

Contact Us for Your Laundry Room Solutions

You now know all about the hidden costs of a laundry room. It’s not just the cost of the equipment that you have to keep in mind, but the cost of the space, repair costs, and ongoing maintenance.

Contact us to find your laundry room solution today.  We provide coin-operated equipment and services while offering generous commission and flexible lease terms. With our top-quality service, you don’t have to inconvenience residents or lose out on profits with equipment that doesn’t work properly.

Different Fabrics Demand Different Care

If it seems that clothing material is becoming more specialized and blended, you are absolutely correct. The old days of natural fibers have given way to new-age fabrics that challenge your ability to clean them properly. It is one thing to wash a single garment incorrectly and a whole other problem when you wash an entire load incorrectly. If you have a more extensive operation and you are cleaning for teams, groups of employees, or multiple residents, you cannot afford to make a mistake that ruins dozens of clothing articles simultaneously.

A Few Simple Guidelines for Fabric

With all the different types of fabrics found in clothing and household items, it may seem like you need to take a class on how to handle each one. Some fabrics require very little maintenance, while others are so delicate that one mistake can ruin the garment’s integrity. Knowing how to handle different materials will help you understand what to do to clean them safely. If it makes it easier, creating a chart and placing it near the washer and dryers within your property can help you and others remember how to care for their most delicate fabrics. Here is a list of different materials and how to wash them properly:

  • Cotton is the king of natural fibers, soft, absorbent, lightweight, and blendable. It is typically used for garments worn against the skin, and it can be washed in hot or cold water and tumble dried. Remove immediately to prevent wrinkles.
  • Linen is a natural fiber woven from flax and often used in bedding. It is durable but easily stained, and it should be washed in cold water and preferably air-dried. If tumbled, use the lowest heat setting.
  • Polyester is a stretchable, durable synthetic often blended and used in uniforms and outerwear. Wash in cold water, do not bleach, and tumble dry with low or medium heat.
  • Acetate is a soft, pliable synthetic. Make sure you do not overheat it. It should always be hand washed and air dried only.
  • Wool is an animal-based fabric that is used primarily for outerwear. It should be hand washed and air dried with no exposure to heat.
  • Silk is a highly delicate fabric to wash, and it’s better to hand wash it in cool water or machine wash in a delicate setting. Immediately after washing, you have the option to hang dry or tumble-dried on a cool setting.

The Most Important Guideline

Caring for your fabrics is crucial when you want them to last. If you notice that similar problems develop with your larger loads of laundry, then it may have to do with faulty equipment. To prevent your garments from shrinking or getting destroyed, contact a professional to inspect your laundry services. This can help pinpoint any issues and avoid any further damage to clothing and machines in the future.

For your future commercial laundry room needs, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or email us to learn how we can help you set up your on-premise laundry services today!

Budget Now for Upgraded Laundry Services

In any given apartment community, laundry service can be a huge pain for property managers. From outdated appliances to broken-down equipment, replacing or even upgrading them can be a huge cost. However, it’s important to factor this in because residents are looking for a clean, well-lit facility with state-of-the-art appliances. For many, the question is why should I include this in the yearly budget?

The Added Importance of Updated Laundry Services

With the recent pandemic, there is a new model placed for cleanliness and sanitation in the laundry industry. Clothes not only need to be clean; they also need to be disinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has set guidelines that should be considered the new standard for laundry staff and the equipment when face with washing bedsheets and garments for others:

  • Separate areas should be maintained for unwashed and washed clothing.
  • Those washing and drying should employ PPE to avoid contact with potentially contaminated clothes.
  • Washing clothes in 160º water for 25 minutes should be sufficient to eliminate any microbes.
  • Extra care should be taken to prevent cleaned clothing from contamination before wearing.

The Ecological Way to Wash Clothing

Of course, the prevention of spreading a virus is one reason for upgrading to a high-quality laundry machine. Another has to do with advancements in energy-efficient machines. High-efficiency washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular washers. Of course, this depends on the washer capacity, load size, cycle type, etc. but, regular washers will use anywhere between 14-20 gallons of water per load. For the average household that runs between 4-6 loads a week, that’s over 5,000 gallons of water a year! Talk about a costly water bill. By using an energy-efficient washer you are not only lowering your overall water bill cost but also lowering the amount of water used every year.

On-site and multi-family laundry services need to utilize state-of-the-art equipment to meet today’s ecological and sanitation standards. To find the best available appliances and get them economically, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or emailing us.

Secrets to Longer Lasting Clothing

They are your clothes. You would think you know them. In truth, however, as often as you have worn them, your clothes have kept some secrets from you. The good news is, as you find out what they are hiding, it will allow you to extend their lives—sometimes almost indefinitely. Make sure you like new clothes when you buy them since using these laundry tips will make them part of your lives for a long time.

Laundry Hacks to Make Your Clothes Last

Some of these may make sense to you, while others may seem counterintuitive. Give them a try and see if your clothes thank you for looking attractive and feeling comfortable a lot longer:

  • Wash in cold water except for towels and soiled whites. Warm water fades, shrinks, and is more abrasive.
  • The more detergent you use, the faster your clothes age. For most loads, a tablespoon will suffice.
  • Turn your dark clothes inside out as well as your clothes with decals. Colors rub against other exteriors and fade.
  • If you have a stain, soak it in cold water and spray it. There is no need to add more detergent for the whole load.
  • Take your time drying wet clothes. Use the “delicate” cycle, which ensures lower temps.
  • Avoid the dry cleaner, which exposes your clothes to abrasive chemicals. Place delicates in a mesh bag and use cold water and a gentle setting.

Smart Tech Comes to the Laundry Room

While we are discussing smart ways to wash your clothes, you may be interested in knowing that smart tech has found its way to the laundry room. You can utilize washers and dryers by programming your smartphone with the help of FMB Laundry, which provides smart equipment for residents of colleges, multi-family homes, and more. You can check us out on our website or give us a call at (800) 832-6193.

Make Doing Laundry Stress-Free

Laundry room etiquette can be a new concept or unclear for some people that use a communal laundry room. The most basic rule in the laundry room is to treat others with respect. There are some dos and don’ts of laundry room etiquette that will save you from having to deal with any bother or headaches while doing laundry in your building!

Be Timely

First and foremost, do not leave your items in the washer/dryer for an extended period of time. This is rude to other residents and may result in your garments being removed and tossed aside before you return.

Instead, try and do laundry when you have the time to complete a load in both the washer and dryer. While it may take some effort to find the time, it is preferable to having your clothes become dirty as a result of being thrown away or accumulating mold as a result of being left in the washer for too long. With the Clothesline Mobile app, you will receive alerts when your laundry is done, making timeliness much easier to accomplish.

Be Patient

If a unit has been in use for a while, be patient. If a machine has been stopped for more than an hour and is still occupied, stack the clothing neatly or remove the garments inside and place them in a plastic grocery bag. Place them beside the machine in case they were placed there by a resident.

Be Prepared

It is important to be prepared when doing your laundry in a shared space. Be sure to have your SmartCard with you with enough money on it to do your laundry. Double-check that you have detergent before you head to the laundry room. If you get there and realize you forgot detergent, going back to grab it not only wastes time, but you might lose out on an available machine.

By using some common courtesy, you can make doing laundry in your building a stress-free experience. For more tips on creating a stress-free laundry environment, contact FMB Laundry today!

Preventative Maintenance Tips For Your Laundry Equipment

Take your laundry room equipment to the next level by acknowledging that maintenance goes beyond just fixing what is broken. Investing in preventative maintenance for your commercial laundry equipment can go a long way. At FMB, we provide several maintenance options to prolong the life of your equipment. In addition to professional maintenance, monitoring your equipment is crucial to your laundry room’s overall health.

Clean Lint Filters

Ideally, lint filters should be cleaned out after every use or at the very least once a day. When lint builds up, the dryer has the potential to overheat.

Inspect Water Inlet Valve

There are water inlet valve connections on the back of most machines. While you can keep an eye out for leaks daily, but make sure they are thoroughly inspected at least once a month. If there are any cracks, deterioration, or blisters, the hose will need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Clean the Dryer

The condition of your equipment has a direct impact on how clean the laundry comes out. Sanitization can prevent the spread of disease and illness. It can also remove pesticides and petroleum chemicals. Extensive cleaning needs to be performed by a professional once a year.

Maintain the Door

One of the easiest daily tasks you can do is ensure that the door and its locks work. Test the doors at the end of each day, then leave the door open so that any moisture can evaporate. You should also be sure to clean the glass regularly with a damp cloth.

If you invest in simple maintenance for your commercial laundry machines, you can avoid more expensive problems down the line. Laundry equipment is expensive to replace, but with preventative maintenance, you can prolong the life of your washer and dryer. To learn more, contact FMB Laundry today by calling 410-324-3654 or sending us an email.

We Trust Speed Queen and So Should You

When you look around, you’ll notice a lot of different types of washers and dryers. They come in various colors, multiple sizes, varying ways they function, and a variety of other differentiating features. At FMB Laundry, we stand by the Speed Queen brand and so should you.

Manufactured in the United States

By supporting a company that manufactures products in the United States, we’re supporting everyone in the country. Not only does it boost the economy to use Speed Queen machines, it makes servicing the machines easier too. If the machine does break down, it’s easier and quicker for us to get the parts we need.

Expected To Last 25 years

Sure there are a lot of machines with flashy features and modern designs, but they don’t often last as long as the Speed Queen. The Speed Queen washers and dryers are expected to last at least 25 years, offering 10,400 wash cycles before they wear out. This is why Speed Queen is great for college dorms, apartment buildings, and other areas where the machines may experience heavy, consistent use.

Capacity To Handle Large, Heavy Loads

Speed Queen doesn’t have the largest drum out of competing washers on the market, but they are large enough for horse blankets, King size comforters, and other big items such as those. If your load contains dense blankets or towels that you worry might become an unbalanced mass, don’t worry about it. The sturdy structure allows you to get all your biggest, heaviest loads done without a problem.

Contact Us

At FMB Laundry, we are focused on the laundry needs of multi-family units, medical buildings, college campuses, and more, and we trust Speed Queen with all of them. Call 410-324-3654 or email us today to learn more!

What Your Tenants Expect From an Onsite Laundry

As the manager of an apartment building or residential facility, you know the importance of onsite laundry amenities. You understand that the way they are managed can make or break rentals. It’s important to learn what tenants value most in a laundry room and how to meet those needs.

Safety Tops the List

You can build a sparkling laundry area with luxury machines that always work, but no one will come if it seems unsafe. Some basic concepts that make tenants feel secure include:

  • Central location with people around
  • Excellent lighting
  • Accessibility for tenants only
  • Security camera

Laundry users want to know other people are coming and going to help deter negative behavior. They want assurance the laundry room is locked and used only by residents. They want to come and go in safety and spend as little time in the laundry area as possible.

Cleanliness Is Paramount

Keeping the laundry room clean has always been important, but it is more vital than ever in the current environment. This means spending time and resources to monitor the area, empty waste containers, clean up spills immediately, and wipe down machines. Whether you outsource custodial services, use an employee, or pitch in yourself, floors need daily mopping, and surfaces require frequent wiping.

Communication is essential. Provide a well-publicized way for residents to report laundry room concerns and follow up on the complaints immediately with a friendly, competent process.

Superior Equipment and Technology Pay Dividends

On-premise laundry rooms have the advantage of convenience, but there is still plenty of competition. If you want residents to use the laundry room, provide up-to-date equipment that performs well. New machines featuring smart technology, such as the Clothesline Mobile Payment App, combine convenience with safety. Tenants can use smartphones for no-contact payment and check from their apartments when a machine becomes available or their laundry is complete. These technologies can also make your laundry room a large selling point for those looking to live in your building.

For suggestions on improving safety practices and implementing technology-driven laundry equipment, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or sending an email to talk with our specialists. Make sure your onsite laundry room exceeds your tenants’ highest expectations.

How Preventative Maintenance Protects Your Laundry Facility

Do you have an onsite laundry facility? If so, you may be wondering how you can save money by minimizing breakdowns. The answer is in regular maintenance for commercial laundry equipment.

Why Invest in Maintenance

Your onsite laundry facility is important. It is crucial to those who live in the building to have a functioning, well-maintained place to wash their clothes. If a machine breaks down, it can cost you a lot in repairs and lost business. However, when you invest in routine maintenance you can avoid most costly repairs and disruption to your business.

Maintenance Tips

Your maintenance provider will be able to perform routine maintenance and repairs. However, there are a few things you can do on your own to keep your machines running in the best shape possible.

First, check the doors of your washers and dryers on a daily basis. You should keep your loading doors open at the end of the day so that any of the moisture within can evaporate.

Next, you want to inspect the water inlet valve on your washers. There should never be any leaks at the back of the machine. If there are any signs of deterioration on the hose connections, you may need to replace the hoses right away.

Last, you want to make sure that the door glass is always clean. Wiping it down with a damp washcloth as often as possible will keep dirt and dust from building up.

The more time you spend preventing future problems, the less likely you are to have an expensive breakdown. To take advantage of laundry equipment services for multi-family buildings, medical buildings, college campuses, and more, contact FMB Laundry by calling 410-324-3654 or emailing us today!