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Category: Laundry Industry News

How to Design the Perfect Commercial Laundry Space

Posted on by FMB Laundry

5 Things to Consider When Designing Your Commercial Laundry Room

Companies of all sizes require on-site laundry facilities to help keep their day-to-day business running smoothly. The right commercial laundry design can make all the difference in the flow of a laundry room. Consider some of these ideas when you are ready to design a commercial laundry room for your business.

1. Size of Laundry Equipment

The type of business you have determines in large part the size of the laundry equipment you will need. Hospitals and hotels are more apt to require industrial size washers and dryers, but apartment complex and university needs can usually be filled by smaller machines. Some facilities, for example a retirement community, might choose to have smaller washers and dryers conveniently placed for someone in a wheelchair to use.

2. Location of Laundry Room

The location of your laundry room in a commercial setting will help determine the convenience and speed at which dirty laundry can be washed, dried, and distributed to its respective spots. A central location is best in most cases. Very large properties might require more than one laundry room so that they can service various areas with ease.

3. Adequate Common Area Space

A common area for most laundry facilities needs to offer space enough to complete the tasks at hand. Open areas and/or aisles need to be able to accommodate people and laundry carts comfortably. It’s important to take into consideration space for wheelchairs to navigate. Tables located around the laundry room in several places will allow more than one person to fold. Chairs for those waiting for their laundry in some facilities will allow for a brief respite while waiting for the wash and dry cycles to conclude.

4. Laundry Space Ventilation

Regardless of the business your commercial laundry space serves, adequate ventilation needs to be a priority. Laundry rooms are usually already hot and stuffy, so an air conditioner will make working in a commercial laundry facility easier. Hot air from the machines can often be rerouted to provide heat to other areas of the property. This does not negate the need for proper ventilation in other regards, like how to direct the laundry equipment heat and fumes during sweltering temperatures of summertime.

5. Maintaining Washers and Dryers Cost Effectively

The power needed to run a commercial laundry facility can be expensive if you have not made plans for energy efficient equipment and the means by which to run it all. Many areas offer deals for using energy saving machines or installation of solar paneling to cut down on costs. This can often save your company thousands of dollars in utility bills. Maintaining your laundry equipment regularly will help cut down on overall repair costs as the years go by.

Contact us at FMB Laundry, Inc., today to discuss your commercial laundry room needs. Hotels, hospitals, universities, and multi-family properties are just some of the commercial laundry facilities we have designed to help streamline the laundry process. We offer the same dedication and service to you.

5 Hidden Costs of Maintaining an On-Premise Laundry Room for Residents

Posted on by FMB Laundry

Did you know that you should wash your white shirts after every single wear? Gym clothes should also be washed after every wear and jeans after every five wears.

Laundry facilities on premises can make the life of residents easier. If you are considering on-site facilities, keep in mind that laundry room installation costs can be higher than you anticipate because of hidden costs.

It’s not just about the cost of your equipment. Before you make a decision to maintain an on-premises laundry room, keep on reading to understand all the hidden costs.

1. Cost of Space

First, consider the cost of the space. Your communal laundry room will need its own space. If you don’t have any space, you will need to spend money on renovations to create the space.

The renovations will involve wiring and plumbing, and sometimes a complete overhaul of your premises. It also includes potential upgrades in the future to accommodate changing needs.

2. Laundry Room Repair Costs

The cost of a laundry room includes repair costs when the equipment breaks down. Even the toughest commercial laundry facilities will have to deal with repair costs. Repair costs for a washing machine include the labor costs, cost of replacement parts, and the brand of the washing machine at an average cost of $50 to $180.

3. Ongoing Laundry Room Maintenance

To avoid repair costs, you will want to conduct ongoing maintenance to ensure that your equipment runs well. This can save you money in the long term, including damage to your building caused by leaks. Ongoing maintenance includes replacing water hoses, cleaning filters, and cleaning the equipment.

4. Utilities

You will also have to deal with utility costs, including water and electricity. These costs will increase as your equipment ages, or your equipment breaks down.

The cost will also vary depending on usage. While a portion of the utilities can be offset by the profits, inefficient machines can end up increasing this cost.

5. Liability Insurance

Your on-premise laundry facilities can lead to damage to your building, including water damage, fire, and vandalism. To protect your commercial property from these damages, you want to make sure that you have the right coverage with liability insurance. You can also get sued if someone gets hurt in your laundry room.

However, this will add to the cost of your laundry room. The premiums that you pay will depend on the age of your equipment, the number of apartments and residents, and the location of the building. You can get coverage for property damage, loss of income, equipment breakdown, and sewer backup.

Contact Us for Your Laundry Room Solutions

You now know all about the hidden costs of a laundry room. It’s not just the cost of the equipment that you have to keep in mind, but the cost of the space, repair costs, and ongoing maintenance.

Contact us to find your laundry room solution today.  We provide coin-operated equipment and services while offering generous commission and flexible lease terms. With our top-quality service, you don’t have to inconvenience residents or lose out on profits with equipment that doesn’t work properly.

How To Increase ROI for Your Laundry Business

Posted on by FMB Laundry

Laundromats have been effective turnkey operations for as long as washing machines have existed. By balancing the upkeep costs of your laundry business against the monthly income that your store produces, you can make a tidy return on investment. It may be possible to start increasing the profits you earn from your laundry business. If your profits are slipping, or if you’re seeking to boost your ROI, it’s time to look at possible improvement solutions.

Build a Marketing Strategy

Marketing is a key component in any business’s success. Which is all the more important in a competitive field like the laundry industry. Laundromat-goers will tend to use the nearest and most convenient location, so it’s important to use physical advertisement mediums such as flyers or street signs to direct potential clients to your store. Building a special pricing campaign and distributing coupons is another way to appeal to a thrifty clientele. Utilizing social media platforms is a great method for communicating limited-time deals and engaging with your audience as much as possible.

Prioritize the Customer Experience

Creating a positive customer service experience is the key to ensuring repeat visits. Accessibility and cleanliness are the bare essentials for creating a strong and lasting first impression in the laundry industry. However, the most important thing that customers will expect at your laundromat is functional equipment. It is well worth the investment to keep all machines maintained, or to replace them as needed in order to continue to meet industry standards across the board. It may even be necessary to increase your overall number of machines if your current inventory does not meet your demand during peak business hours.

FMB Laundry is ready to satisfy your laundromat equipment needs and offers a variety of industry-leading laundry solutions as well. Call (800) 832-6193 to get in touch with a laundry industry expert right away.

We Trust Speed Queen and So Should You

Posted on by FMB Laundry

When you look around, you’ll notice a lot of different types of washers and dryers. They come in various colors, multiple sizes, varying ways they function, and a variety of other differentiating features. At FMB Laundry, we stand by the Speed Queen brand and so should you.

Manufactured in the United States

By supporting a company that manufactures products in the United States, we’re supporting everyone in the country. Not only does it boost the economy to use Speed Queen machines, it makes servicing the machines easier too. If the machine does break down, it’s easier and quicker for us to get the parts we need.

Expected To Last 25 years

Sure there are a lot of machines with flashy features and modern designs, but they don’t often last as long as the Speed Queen. The Speed Queen washers and dryers are expected to last at least 25 years, offering 10,400 wash cycles before they wear out. This is why Speed Queen is great for college dorms, apartment buildings, and other areas where the machines may experience heavy, consistent use.

Capacity To Handle Large, Heavy Loads

Speed Queen doesn’t have the largest drum out of competing washers on the market, but they are large enough for horse blankets, King size comforters, and other big items such as those. If your load contains dense blankets or towels that you worry might become an unbalanced mass, don’t worry about it. The sturdy structure allows you to get all your biggest, heaviest loads done without a problem.

Contact Us

At FMB Laundry, we are focused on the laundry needs of multi-family units, medical buildings, college campuses, and more, and we trust Speed Queen with all of them. Call 410-324-3654 or email us today to learn more!

Beneficial Technology-Driven Solutions With FMB Laundry

Posted on by FMB Laundry

FMB Laundry has implemented technology-driven solutions to make getting the laundry done more convenient for users. Whether you run a multi-family unit, manage a college campus property, or manage the laundry at a medical facility, these technology-driven solutions will make life easier for everyone.

SmartCards

A SmartCard can be purchased through a Value Transfer Machine in your laundry facility. Customers who wish to do their laundry there can put a monetary value on the card and use it until the amount runs out. It can then be reloaded using cash, EBT cards, NFC devices, credit cards, or a debit card. Using a SmartCard eliminates the need for users to carry coins, which makes doing the laundry more of a convenience for everyone involved.

The SmartCard system is easy to set up and easy to use. With software created specifically for these machines, you are able to determine a vend price, cycle times, and even set up specials you wish to implement. The software allows you to perform audits, reports, and other accounting functions.

Clothesline Mobile App

Available on Android and iPhone, the clothesline mobile app gives your customers a convenient way to take care of the wash. They can look for an open machine, check on the status of specific washers and dryers, get a machine started again, and keep track of their transactions. This allows users the ability to get other things done while their laundry is going.

When the wash or dry cycle is complete, the smartphone receives an alert that lets the user know it’s time to change the wash. They can then head to the laundry room, get the laundry switched, then use the app to pay for service and set the machine settings.

As you can see, FMB Laundry is making it easier and more convenient for your tenants to get their laundry done. With SmartCards and Clothesline Mobile, everyone benefits with improved technology systems. Contact FMB Laundry today by calling 410-324-3654 or sending us an email to learn more or to request service.

Prevent the Spread of Germs with Clean Clothes

Posted on by FMB Laundry

With the spread of coronavirus, we are reminded to take precautionary measures, such as washing your hands and sanitizing the surfaces we touch. However, one thing we should all consider is the sanitation of our clothes. Keeping our clothes and other fabrics we touch clean is vitally important when it comes to the prevention of this illness.

Health officials have offered up some information to help us understand the importance of keeping our clothes clean and germ-free.

    • Coronavirus can thrive on clothing.
    • If you have been in a high contact area, such as a grocery store or pharmacy, shed your clothes as soon as you get home and get them in the wash.
    • A great way to prevent the spread of germs is by coughing or sneezing into your elbow. However, keep in mind that those germs can sit on your clothes for up to a week!
    • Anyone who touches your clothes is at risk for picking up your germs.

Now that we understand a little more about how clothing plays a role in the spread of germs, we can take steps to prevent it. Below are some simple steps to keep in mind when it comes to sanitizing your clothing.

  1. Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them
    • It is almost impossible to know who has come in contact with these clothes before you purchased them.
  2. Know How Detergents Work
    • Detergents work by loosening and binding to dirt and then lifting that dirt up and out of clothes. If the detergent isn’t completely rinsed out, neither is the dirt. Meaning, too much detergent leads to dirty, irritating clothes.
  3. Don’t Add Too Much Detergent
    • For a full-sized load, use half the recommended amount of detergent. Detergent manufacturers often overestimate the amount that is actually needed.
  4. Don’t Crowd
    • Do not overload your washer. In order to clean thoroughly, your detergent needs room to circulate through your clothes. Plus, you need plenty of water to carry the loosened dirt and oils away.

We all want to play our part to stop the rapid spread of coronavirus, and germs in general. In order to do so, we have to start treating our clothes like our skin. Wash them frequently, as they are a carrier of germs, just like your body. Contact us by calling 410-324-3654 or sending us an email today to learn more!

 

FMB Laundry Expands into the Southeast Market – Hires Mark Tiffany to Manage Operations

Posted on by FMB Laundry

With the expansion, FMB Laundry brings Clothesline Mobile laundry room technology to the Atlanta, GA market.

Continue reading “FMB Laundry Expands into the Southeast Market – Hires Mark Tiffany to Manage Operations”

FMB Laundry- Customer Reviews

Posted on by FMB Laundry

At FMB Laundry, we care about what our customers have to say, that’s why reviews and feedback are so important to us! Below are some of the reviews we have received from our clients over time: