Laundry 101: How to properly use a dryer

We had a resident chat with us about a common issue laundry users have: how much of my washed clothes can I load the dryer with?

A Speed Queen frontloading washer has a stainless steel tub with an 18lb capacity. Comparatively the Speed Queen single dryer also has an 18lb capacity, although it appears to be bigger. The reason for this is because clothes need space in the dryer to tumble and get dry. If you pack your dryer with several loads of wet clothes, a few issues may occur:
- Your clothes won't get dry
- They will come out wrinkled and damp
- You will end up spending more money on another dry cycle
- Packing your clothes in the dryer is a common way that dryer fires start

So be safe and smart, and let the dryer do it's job!

Water Costs in Portland-- How do we rank?

How Portland ranks (Statistics From The Oregonian)

The city’s average monthly combined sewer/water bill is the fifth-highest among the nation’s 50 most populous cities. Separated, Portland ranks No. 4 by residential sewer charges and No. 18 by water rates.

1. Atlanta: $154
2. Seattle: $135
3. San Francisco: $108
4. San Diego: $93
5. Portland: $92
6. Boston: $88
7. Honolulu: $85
8. Austin, Texas: $78
9. Virginia Beach, Va.: $76
10. Colorado Springs, Colo.: $68
Source: Black & Veatch Management Consulting

How can you help decrease your water bill? Common area laundry rooms use 330% less water than in unit machines. It has been described as the easist way to cut your utility bill.

Too Much Detergent Might Be Your Problem

Americans have a problem...oversudsing. It's that moment when you have something that is so dirty and smelly that you are positive that half a cap of soap just won't do the trick! What you might not know is that filling the soap cap to the top is not only damaging your clothes, you're killing your washer! Don't believe us? The Wall Street Journal explored this topic in "The Great American Soap Overdose."

Keep Up to Date on Portland Businesses

As a fellow locally owned Portland business, Coin Meter Company likes to keep up to date on other local businesses and how our community continues to grow. Check out Neighborhood Notes, a website designed to keep us informed on our neighborhoods in Portland. It not only covers business news, but events, culture, food & drink, home & garden, style and local news. Check out the business section of the website here.

Did You Know?

Apartment communities can save 330 percent more water, equating to a savings of 8,216 gallons of water per year per unit, by utilizing a common-area laundry room instead of an in-unit washing machine?

Learn more about water conservation and common area laundry rooms at Laundrywise.

Do Residents Prefer Cards Over Coin?

Do your residents think it's a pain to find quarters? This one does!



Luckily Coin Meter Company now offers a wide variety of card systems for your convenience. Let's give our residents what they want! Click here to learn more about our card systems.

Water Saving Practices in Multifamily Housing Units

"In-unit laundry washers use an average of 11,810 gallons of water annually; equipment in common-area laundry rooms uses an average of 3,595 gallons a year per apartment. This is a 3.3 to one ratio."

Water is becoming a scarce resource in the world and eventually in the United States. Multifamily properties are large contributors to excessive water consumption. This article explains the economical and financial advantages of green practices and water conservation to multifamily properties, including switching to a common area laundry room.

Click here to access article.