Use of washing machine

[Auri1]

I have just hosted 3 guests who stayed for 2 nights.  The husband asked if they could wash some clothes & as our washing machine is in a part of the house to which guests don't have access, I washed two full loads for them.  The next day, I washed another load.  I rather felt this was taking advantage, especially as I did not receive as much as a thank-you when they left, which annoyed me most of all!  This is only the second time this has happened, but I'd be interested to know whether other guests charge for the use of a washing machine &, if so, how much per load? Thanks in advance for any advice. 

[Helen3]

Why would you do three loads of washing for a family who are only staying three nights if it's not in your house rules?

I offer one load a week to guests staying a minimum of a week.

If they want more they can use a local laundrette.

I think I have seen hosts ask for £5 - £8 per load (think it costs about £7/8 per load in a laundrette.

As your machine is in a separate part of the house to the listing, I would include details of local laundrettes in your guest book.

[Auri1]

Helen, I did three loads out of the goodness of my heart as they were travelling around the UK & there is no launderette locally. Plus, I thought it was only going to be one load, which I wouldn't have minded doing. I shall list a price in the house rules section & refer guests to this in future.  

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Auri1 

Same as @Helen3 I allow 1 load per week for guest personal laundry of clothes only (no gym bags, backpacks, sneakers or muddy items) if the guest stays longer than 1 week. 

I've never had guests staying short term ask to do laundry, but I did have one long term guest do an average of 3 teeny tiny loads (about 6~8 items per load, counting each sock separately) per week for 4 months. Every time I told him he needed to respect the 1 load per week rule AND he should be doing larger loads, he'd  just shrug and apologize saying he ran out of socks or underwear and it won't happen again. It was frustrating but thankfully he was the only one who really abused our washer. 

[Auri1]

Thanks, @Jessica-and-Henry0. This party were visitors from Australia, travelling around the UK, so I wanted to be hospitable by agreeing to their initial request.  I just felt they went on to abuse the situation with no thanks at the end.  I haven't yet had a stay of a week in my 3 years of hosting!  My guests usually stay for 1, 2 or 3 nights.  It's a learning curve but I'll know how to deal with a similar situation in future. I should mention it in my guest review.

[Cathie19]

Hi @Auri1 - the eternal dilemma.....

Gosh you ladies @Jessica-and-Henry0 & @Helen3  are lucky if you charge. 

So your choice really:

1. Hide a charge in your nightly rate

2. Charge by the load, or by dry weight (per kilo)

3. Leave a machine with instructions &/or load restrictions per week.

4. Offer no laundry facilities

But in my place: #1.

I mainly cater for families, so I have a shared laundry with 2 machines (1 large, 1 small) and offer washing facilities with laundry powder, fabric softener and pre wash stain remover. An outside clothesline, hangers and inside clothes airers. The machines are set at cold wash only, so the solar hot water does not run out.

I factor a little in my nightly cost.  I keep a separate ironing board and iron in this shared space for guests exclusive use.

Some guests NEVER enter the laundry as they are “on holidays”. Others wash daily..... so it balances out!

[Auri1]

Thanks, @Cathie19.  The situation might not arise again, but I'll mention an additional cost for washing in my house rules, just incase. 

[Cathie19]

@Auri1 , it assists and would avoid the awkward moment the brain says “no way”, but the mouth says “sure”! But maybe also put a restriction on it, or at least state (disclaimer) that you take no responsibility for any change to item - just in case they blame you for shrinking a favourite shirt. Remember you will be washing it in your own private space. Make it not your problem, and charge! 🙌🏼

[Auri1]

@Cathie19 Thanks. A good idea re a disclaimer! I've just added it to my house manual. 

[Jillie1]

This seems to be a problem at times, especially with people on lengthy trips travelling on.  I've just had the same annoying experience (again) regarding the excessive use of both washing machine and tumble dryer by 2 guests staying just 3 nights and on their travels to other parts of the UK.   I didn't charge them anything  or complain but felt they weren't considering the planet or global warming, let alone my utility bill!   The clothes could have actually dried on a clothes rack which I supply, it was warm enough but no, the tumble dryer went on and on and on for hours!   After some guests nearly caused a fire by overuse of the tumble dryer about a year ago, I actually banned use of the laundry room (in separate room on stairs) for a short while and suggested the launderette up the road.  However, I do realise that travellers need to do their laundry so opened it up again and I let them do it for free again.  Now I've decided to let guests staying a week use the washing machine/dryer two times for free and any additional £2.50 per washing load.  Not sure what to do about the tumble dryer?  Any suggestions?