Why Do Customers Overload Washers And Dryers?

Belinda flutters her eyes and things happen. . .

My friend Belinda knows a lot about washing clothes.  However, she just flutters her eyelids and her boyfriend takes all her dirty laundry to the Laundromat and brings it back perfectly folded.  My boyfriend Chris takes my laundry to the Laundromat too.  I just give him a little flutter and poof; he's off to the Laundromat.  I watch novellas with Belinda while he's gone.

I'm thankful Belinda and I were taught by our mothers to know enough about washing clothes that we could properly train our men.  We hear the stories about the customers who stuff too many clothes in a washer and are then surprised that they didn't get their clothes clean.  I once saw a women start a top load washer, get the clothes a little wet, open the lid, and use a broom handle to push the clothes down so she could stuff more clothes in the washer.

Yes, she really did expect those clothes to come out clean!  I doubt if all the clothes even got wet.  I'd bet Belinda's smile that this person was never taught anything about washing clothes from anyone who knew anything.  Belinda and I, however, have taken the time to train our men how to separate colors and limit the number of clothes to put in each washer.  :) 

The rule is the same with dryers.  Some Laundromat owners receive complaints that their dryers aren't heating up enough, yet when they look at the dryer in question, the owners realize that there are so many clothes in the dryer, the heated air can't circulate in and around the clothes.  There's just one big ball of fabric going round and round.  In order to dry, there needs to be enough room so that the clothes can open up and the stream of heat can pass through and around the clothes, drying them.

I think explaning proper washing and drying to customers is helpful, but I think the lady with the broom is just waiting for you to leave or turn your back because she is going to load in two more towels and a blouse once you're gone.  In fairness, I guess some people are truly lacking in knowledge about washing and drying their clothes. You, as a Laundromat owner, are offering a self-service facility, so you're going to end up with a fair share of poorly educated washer and dryer users.

Learning is an ongoing process; this includes learning about washing and drying.  Some of your customers are the same people that dropped out of high school before graduation, didn't learn much when they were in our educational system, and didn't have two parents at home to teach them much of anything.  They may not have enough money or even a job in this current, deep recession.  You might try a little sympathy and understanding; try actually teaching your customers the proper way to use your equipment.

The positive thing for you is these people are in your Laundromat spending their money, so reduce your overload problems with a little education, compassion, and understanding.  

                 -The Latina Laundromat Advisor