How to Select the Right Laundry Equipment for University Housing

It is easy to find articles detailing the myriad student complaints about on-campus laundry facilities, or the laundry equipment located within university housing, as detailed in one recent post about facilities at a major public university in California. It is a simple fact that resident students at institutions of higher learning need to clean their clothes. One large public university in California owns and operates more than 1400 machines on and off campus, totaling 3,000 loads of laundry per day.
Schools and universities face unique challenges when it comes to outfitting college housing with laundry facilities, whether new installations or upgrades. The sheer number of machines and the number of students filling (and sometimes overfilling) these machines point out the importance of factors such as durability, efficiency, service and long-term cost-effectiveness. A few simple considerations can help university administrators or purchasing agents make better, informed decisions when selecting commercial laundry equipment for residence halls.
THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT
Investing in high-quality, brand-name laundry equipment is essential for several reasons. Reliability is key in a high-use environment like a college dorm or housing unit. Well-known brands have a proven track record of performance, which means fewer breakdowns and less frustration for students. Longevity is another critical factor. With proper maintenance, a quality-built machine provides an estimated lifespan of 10-12 years under heavy use.
H-M Company supplies commercial-grade, residential-sized machines from a domestic manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for quality-built equipment. A quality machine supplies a lower overall total cost ownership over time.
Some additional factors for schools to consider are installing a mix of top-loaders and front-loaders, to meet the mixed-use scenarios posed by college students washing everything from jeans to bulky items like comforters.
Schools should consider an adequate machine-to-student ratio to prevent long wait times during peak usage periods, which statistics show occur overwhelmingly on the weekends.
LAUNDRY PAYMENT SYSTEMS AND OPTIONS
Schools have a choice of payment systems, which can significantly impact student satisfaction and operational efficiency. There are at least five options for schools to consider:
Included as part of room and board: Universities can include laundry services as part of fees paid for room and board with no additional payment options on the equipment. This system offers various advantages, including simpler equipment operation because of the lack of a payment system, along with allowing greater accessibility for student use.
- Coin-operated: This is a long-standing, traditional method of payment but requires change machines or coin collection. Students today continue to move away from cash payment for any type of service and instead rely on phone apps or online methods.
- Card readers: Credit/debit card payments offer convenience, but operators must cover the credit card fees charged back for each transaction.
- Laundry cards: Reloadable cards specific to laundry facilities offer similar convenience to a credit card system, but typically without the fees associated with credit/debit card machines. However, these readers have high hardware costs for each machine, which can become expensive.
- Mobile apps: Increasingly popular, this type of system allows students to pay and monitor machine availability and usage via smartphones.
When selecting a payment system, consider the long-term costs and benefits. A coin-operated machine might seem simpler but requires more management in terms of coin collection and maintenance of change machines. On the other hand, mobile app systems might have higher upfront costs but can provide valuable usage data and improve the student experience by allowing them to check machine availability remotely.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS
A robust service and maintenance plan will minimize downtime and extend equipment life. Look for providers that offer annual comprehensive maintenance. This preventative approach can significantly reduce the total cost of ownership over the equipment’s lifespan by catching potential issues before they become major problems.
Amidst a changing etiquette for phone calls and an increased avoidance among younger generations for person-to-person calls, H-M Company has developed an outlet for students to submit service tickets electronically. This enables students using the machines who experience problems to submit concerns online.
STUDENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
Many students may be using laundry equipment for the first time, making education and support a necessary task. One school study found that 60% of incoming students had never done a load of laundry in their lives. The machines themselves can be outfitted with clear instructions for use. Wall signage posted in laundry rooms can help.
Students often approach the residence assistant (RA) on their dorm floors or in the residency halls before any other resource. H-M Company can provide training to equip RAs with basic troubleshooting knowledge to help students operate the laundry equipment. This can help set up students for success from the start and protect the equipment from breakdowns by warning against common problematic behaviors such as overloading a machine.
VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS
Choosing the right laundry equipment provider is as important as selecting the machines themselves. Look for a vendor with a proven track record in university settings, that understands the unique challenges and needs of this environment. Request and check references to understand the vendor’s performance and reliability.
H-M Company has decades of experience supplying commercial scale laundry equipment for university athletic departments for example and is familiar with the unique needs on a university campus for its laundry facilities.
Build in a sufficient lead time and start the vendor selection process at least six months before the current contract ends for a smooth transition. Most universities or colleges plan to transition to new equipment in the summer months when most students are not in attendance, but still need to factor in considerations such as:
- Married student housing or housing with year-round students
- Special summer sessions or camps that utilize student housing for out-of-town guests or short-term stays
- Scheduled, coordinated removal of the old equipment
- Inspection of plumbing and fittings prior to installation of new equipment
When evaluating proposals, look beyond just equipment costs. Consider service plans, installation processes and ongoing support. A comprehensive package might have a higher upfront cost but could save money and headaches overall. Remember, the contract extends beyond merely buying machines, but also represents a long-term partnership that could span up to ten years.
Also remember the best providers offer proactive maintenance to extend machine life, such as dedicated service personnel and annual comprehensive servings. H-M Company is set up to support the demands of college dorms and offers:
- decades of experience working with athletic department laundry services
- a strong, preventative maintenance plan for weekly checks on equipment
- adjusted inventory levels for spare parts
- enabled electronic service ticket submission
- personalized service from a third-generation, family-owned business
- extensive reference list
The company’s expertise in handling high-volume, heavy-duty laundry needs makes it uniquely qualified to tackle the challenges involved with laundry areas in college housing. The dedicated personnel, stocked spare parts and the fact it is a local business that focuses on service, ensures that college campuses within its service area can find tailored solutions that fit its audience and needs for laundry services. Contact H-M Company to learn more.