Washing machines

[Anna2279]

Do you think it’s essential for the flat to have a washing machine? I am refurbishing the kitchen and am keen to put a slimline

dishwasher in which I think would be more beneficial. My guests stay on average x3 nights. It would also stop guests putting bedding in it abs ruining it when they spill things. We live above the flat and so happy to wash for the longer stayers - thoughts?

[Cathie19]

Hi @Anna2279, you have a lovely listing.

I’m tired and maybe misreading your question. Are you questioning a dishwasher or a washing machine as a clothes dryer and washing machine are in your amenities already.

If talking a dishwasher, three day stays for a maximum of three people = not in my opinion.

If talking a washing machine, if you wash all the linen, then specify this in your listing or welcome rules, and be insistent.

Also, ask yourself: “who do you mainly have as guests? Are they asking to use your washing machine or the local laundry?” If not = no in my opinion.

If you get a washing machine, do you then place a clothes dryer in the space? If they wash, wear do they dry, and how? An airing cupboard with hangers? A clothes airer or a dryer? This then would have to depend on the ventilation in the room and the type of dryer for energy use. Otherwise, they’ll be hanging washing over your chairs and soft furnishings.....

You would also need to factor these extra running costs or 💰outlays in your nightly rate equation, against the bookings you already get across a year.

For me, I have an actual Wet Season, which usually means no tourists. But with Covid19, I have interstaters starting to book. (They are desperate for holidays and the humidity may prove a downfall for those not aware.)

[I’ve just bought to cater for this unusual and unprecedented  season, an expensive and very energy efficient 8 star heat pump clothes dryer for drying linen during “the Wet” and Covid19 era. I’m also family friendly and cater for four adults, or up to five, including and infant. The stays have been 3-4 days, or 15-25 days!  I made this purchase because even if hot water washing, I won’t have the sunny hot UV rays killing extra germs, due to rains.  I also have two washing machines that use to be for their use. I didn’t care which one they used, but with Covid19 I have segregated the laundry system: clothesline’s, airers, peg baskets, pegs (colour coded), wash bags and washing machines. They get the smaller 4.5kg machine and I have sole use of the 7.5 kg machine for my family use, and all linen.   Lots of sanitizers and wipes in the space as they enter. This is published in my listing.

@Anna2279 , just make sure you have the capability to hot wash linen for Covid19 sanitation. You can hot water/ detergent wash your kitchen crockery/cutlery easily, if not huge supplies.

Just don’t introduce an amenity, if it forces your hand to provide other amenities along side them for no financial gain.

Also, your descriptor publishes to guests that they can borrow from you. I would be inclined to only verbalise that, rather than put it in writing, in this Covid19 era. There’s those who just might want a different cheese grater, or others who want full access to all your personal white goods etc etc.

[Anonymous]

@Anna2279  Just to be clear, you are considering removing the washer and dryer that are currently advertised among your amenities, and adding a dishwasher in their place?

I wouldn't consider any of those appliances "essential" for short stays. As a guest, I'd find the dishwasher more desirable for a 3-day stay, when I will have presumably packed enough changes of clothes. But if were renting longer-term, I'd rather have the washing machine. I'm not bothered by handwashing dishes, but I'm not fully comfortable handing my laundry over to someone else - and if you're not close to a laundromat, it would be a rather tedious chore. You'll find that many guests are less than enthusiastic about handing hosts their soiled panties.

Of course, you can always adjust your minimum/maximum length of stay based on what the home's setup is optimally suited for. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Anna2279 

We recently added a 1 and a 2 bed flat and decided a dishwasher was far more important than a washing machine 

reasons

didnt want guests drying clothes on radiators

we hate washing up so why would guests be different

couldnt fit both in to the small kitchens

the 3 bed flat does have both and about 20% of guests seem to use the washing machine particularly where they bring young children

hope this helps

[Shaun69]

Hi @Anna2279  I think the average length of stay indicates  what type of appliance you should instal. I totally agree with @Mike-And-Jane0 comments that a dishwasher is of more use to guests staying for shorter periods. May I suggest you offer a laundry service to your guests as an extra facility which is paid for by the guest as required. We make good profit out of washing and ironing shirts for male guests staying for buisiness!

BE SAFE AND HAPPY SHAUN.

[Linda108]

@Anna2279   If I am reading your listing correctly,  along with your posting, there is a washer in the building, not necessarily in your apartment.  Right?  Given your short term average stay, you  might not even need a dishwasher, but if you are keen to add it, it would be appreciated I'm sure.  

[Helen350]

@Anna2279 My own house in which I let rooms has had an out of order dishwasher for YEARS! - I told a recent guest I was contemplating getting a new one, & he, as a professional who services & repairs the things, advised me against replacing mine! He said that if they are not regularly used, once or twice a week, then a part of them malfunctions; possibly the seals? - and then you could end up with a dishwasher which has hardly been used, but does not work!

[Helen3]

Hello and welcome from a fellow Bristol host.

You have a lovely flat in a great location, I definitely think you should/could be charging much more...for one person you are only charging £54.00 and £73 for three. You could definitely increase your prices by £10-20 and still be incredibly good value. Other hosts with one bed places in Bristol are charging £75  or more, for a one bed place for one person in not such a great area.

Definitely a dishwasher is more useful for short stays than a washing machine. @Anna2279 

Why would you want to encourage short term guests to do their washing at your place?

[Cave0]

At the risk of being controversial here, I have a washing machine and a dishwasher in one listing and a washing machine only in the other listing.  In both cases, guest feedback indicates that they appreciate having a washing machine and in both listings the machines are used regularly.

The dishwasher in the larget listing is used mainly by me when I go to clean up, guests themselves either wash up in the sink or leave the dishes and I put them in the dishwasher.  Being an avid dishwasher fan myself I don't understand the reluctance to use the dishwasher, but I can only speak as I find.

Of course, there is a big downside to the washing machine in that guests may be tempted to dry laundry indoors which is not good at all.  However, if they're predisposed to do this and they start washing clothes in the sink, which my neighbour reports they do in his listing with no washing machine, it's diffcult to prevent this.

I guess it's all about trying to work out what gives you the USP when it comes to the applicances available to guests, but the washing machine, in my humble experience is the big win.