Using a portable laundry facility is similar to visiting a laundromat. Keeping etiquette at the forefront can help everyone remain compassionate.
The thought of using a portable laundry facility is typically not on everyone’s mind. But in times of need, these unique portable accommodations can bring relief, a sense of community, and hope to those affected by a disaster. In this article, we discuss some essential community etiquette tips to help bring success to these valuable shared spaces.
Don’t Abandon Your Belongings
The waiting process involved with doing laundry is challenging because it occupies valuable time that you cut utilize elsewhere in life. And it’s difficult to stay in place when using a portable facility because, if you’re using one of these facilities, it’s likely that your personal life was uprooted and your attention is needed elsewhere.
It’s critical to remember not to abandon your belongings. Not only is this impolite to other users, but it places your belongings at risk of being lost or stolen. Staying on-site and nearby is the best way to manage your belongings and reduce frustration, damage, or theft.
Create Space for All Users
Portable laundry trailers are generally compact and only accommodate a handful of people at a given time. By creating space for other users, you allow multiple people to launder their belongings with ease and create clean lines of communication for people moving from one machine to the next.
Another way to create space is to time out your trips to the laundry trailer. Staggering visits can help users get in and out while honoring everyone’s space between machine transitions.
Leave Things Cleaner Than You Found Them
You probably hear this rule often when it comes to sharing a space, but the most basic etiquette tip for a laundry facility is to leave it cleaner than you found it. Something as simple as removing the lint from the trap after you finish drying your clothes can make a big difference in the facility’s integrity and the next user’s experience.
You can also help prepare the washing machine for the following user by leaving the lid open, signaling it’s ready for its next load, and sanitizing the dials or lid. These simple measures ensure cleanliness in a shared space and maintain a sustainable operation for all users.
Don’t Use Others Laundry Supplies
A primary objective for portable laundry facilities is to provide aid to the community in need, whether it’s an apartment with an outage, a neighborhood that’s recently suffered a disaster, or a relief effort for a homeless community. The users of these services are seeking basic amenities and are probably low on supplies.
Avoid using someone else’s detergents and dryer sheets, and come to the facility prepared. Laundry supplies of any size are relatively expensive, and some people may already struggle to gather the supplies they have. While many people won’t mind sharing, it remains a best practice to bring your own items. Following essential communal etiquette tips can alleviate a lot of chaos at a portable laundry facility, in addition to allowing everyone the time and space necessary to wash their belongings. When multiple parties are using the trailer, it’s essential to remember that everyone is in a similar personal circumstance, and being kind is vital.