Laundry Solution

[Mindy199]

Hello Hosts!

We have recently started hosting and to get a feel for how long it takes, what it takes, I am cleaning the two units myself.  

The Laundry!  We have one unit that is an easy six regular loads per booking.  I'm considering buying large, commercial size equipment to reduce the loads and time.  I have 2-3 of most everything so I can do it timely but still the laundry takes a lot of time.   

What do you all do, how do you manage the laundry aspect of cleaning?

Any any suggestions for natural cleaning products?  

Thank you super so much!

Mindy

[Sean1814]

Mindy, I’m open to offer some suggestions. I’m an operational consultant for vacation and short-term rental companies. Check out my LinkedIn profile! I look forward to helping.

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[Nick-and-Muriel0]

Hi @Mindy199!

Oh, I totally understand what you are going through, laundry can feel endless when you are doing it all yourself. We used to do every bit of it too, and it was exhausting. Eventually we started paying a local laundromat to handle our one king and two queen linens and duvet covers, and it has truly changed our lives! The price felt a little more than expected at first, but once we got our time back it was clear what a blessing it is. Plus, it saves wear and tear on our own machines. If you have a laundry service in your area, I highly recommend you give it a try! If you are unsure, maybe just try it once and see if it makes things a little easier and improves your quality of life.

Best of luck to you!

Nick

[Shelley159]

Very true @Mindy199!

In case it helps you to estimate sizes when you buy new machines: my 12kg front loader (household machine, not commercial) can fit the bedding (duvet cover & linens) for an extra-length king size bed plus 1 or 2 small-ish towels. 

When there are many used towels, kitchen drying cloths etc., it works better to divide the bedding into 2 loads and add some of the towels and other items to each load (to spread the weight over the 2 loads). I buy all the things that require regular washing in white, so that they don't require more loads to keep colours separate. 

I agree with you that the most important thing is to have spare sets of everything, so you can carry on with the next booking and deal with the laundry when the pressure is off.

[Mindy199]

Thank you @Shelley159, I have not bought a new washer in a very long time.  Will check sizes closely!

[Rebecca]

A great question @Mindy199 🤗 

@Shelley159, @Nick-and-Muriel0 and @Sean1814 have left some advice for you. Have you managed to take a look? 

[Oksana127 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mindy199 😊

Laundry is definitely one of the biggest hidden challenges of hosting—you’re not alone! When we first started, we also did it ourselves, and it felt like an endless cycle of washing, drying, folding. With 25 units now, we simply couldn’t manage without help.

What works for us:
👉 We use a professional dry-cleaning/laundry service with a courier. Every day the courier picks up the used bedlinen and towels, and the next morning we get everything back clean, fresh, and perfectly folded. It’s a huge time saver and keeps things consistent.

If you’re just starting and want to invest, larger commercial machines can help, but in the long run outsourcing the laundry can free up your time for other parts of hosting.

As for natural cleaning products, we like to keep it simple: vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and eco-friendly detergents. Guests often appreciate when you can say your cleaning routine is “green.”

[Mindy199]

Thank you so much @Oksana127, I think I'll get there, using a professional service sooner rather than later but glad I am experiencing and seeing the challenges first hand!  

[Lorna170]

@Mindy199   Laundry is very time consuming and it sounds like you have a good plan in place.

I determined the length of time that each property would require cleaning, and that determined how many loads of laundry could possibly be done while onsite by myself or housekeeping.  My changeover window was usually a maximum of 5 hours.  

I purchased large (but not commercial) front loader washers and dryers for my properties.   

Towels are done first and onsite during the time that I or housekeeping is cleaning the property.   

I have 3 sets of sheets and duvet covers for each bed, so I arrive to clean with clean set(s) to put on the beds and the dirty set(s) that cannot be washed and dried while onsite are taken home to be washed.  With 3 sets I can handle quick turnovers, stain treatment and replacement needs.  

When I had multiple and larger properties where all of the laundry could not be done while cleaning the property, housekeeping was paid to take a certain/specific number of loads of laundry off-site to a laundromat or a laundry service.  

[Joy1901]

I am on my third washer due to excessive washing. Sometimes they would do three or four loads a day. Causing the water rates Increase and i had to replace the washers 3 times in 3 years. 

I had to limit my my guests.

The first one was a samsung 5 cu. The second one was a whirlpool and now a LG.

[Mindy199]

@Joy1901 Wow!  I suggested putting up a clothes line instead of a dryer and my brother's reply brought me back to reality.  He said if he were to book a stay where laundry facilities were offered, he would not consider that to be true if the dryer was a clothes line 🙂  I may still get one up next summer.  I love line dried sheets!

[Mindy199]

Thank you @Lorna170!  My clean time is about the same and I am investing in our linen inventory.  I have about two of everything, three of only some but building.  I know I'll need to rotate some out so I watch for sales.  

[Tara0]

@Mindy199 With two units it's definitely worth getting commercial size machines. You also have to factor in regular washing not just of linen and towels, but duvets and pillows. 

[Mindy199]

Thank you Tara!  

I use envelopes on the pillows and mattresses and wash them after every guest but we are going into cooler weather and the blankets!  I wash it all, it's a lot to do every guest.  Thank you.  I love having the rentals, but it is so good to have someone to share the ideas and challenges with!  I ran into a friend that has two too and we had a good laugh about the challenges and plan to meet up soon.  

[Tara0]

You will find great solidarity and advice re cleaning on this forum!