Apartment laundry room etiquette question?

Question

I have to make three trips to do my laundry. One to put in the washer, 2nd to put in the dryer, and the 3rd trip to get clothes out of the dryer. What does one do when out of only 4 dryers in the room (all in use), the contents of 1 dryer are just sitting there with clothes done but the owner is nowhere in sight. Is it OK to remove those clothes to set it aside so I can use that dryer since I am there? Or am I supposed to just go back home with wet clothes and come another time? I never thought touching another's laundry was good etiquette but what does one do in this case?

Once, when I was running late, someone took my wet clothes out the washer, and piled it all on the table. I was really hurt and offended to see that. I thought "how rude".

But really, what is one supposed to do? What is OK, and what is Not OK? Thoughts please?

Answer 1

Ask the manager to type up a set of rules allowing one to take out others laundry if it is just sitting and post the rules.. I agree with you that normally one doesnt want someone else to be touching their clothes; but if it is delaying everyone else, it is only fair to let that person remove the wet ones and begin their process. If rules are posted, then no one will be blamed.

Answer 2

in my old apartment building there was an unspoken rule, if the clothes in the dryer are dry you could put them nicely on the folding table or if they laft a basket on top in the basket. If they were wet you left them alone and either waited for a dryer to be done or took them home and hung them all over(this happened more often so i got a folding clothes rack for the patio and my clothes got dried that way.
There are people who will be mean and take your wet clothes out , there are worse people that will throw bleach in your colors(happened to one of my friends after a confrontation about the laundry room) just do what you think is right, if you run into someone else doing laundry ask them what they would do.

Answer 3

It is rude not to be mindful of the time your clothes are in a shared washer or dryer. I see nothing wrong with you removing dry clothes from the dryer and placing them on the table - especially if they have cooled down and have been sitting for a while. The person who removed your clothes from the washer was rude. They could have placed your clothes in a dryer for you and left the door open so you could easily see them.

Answer 4

I guess that depends. Are the clothes in the dryer cold to the touch (they've been in there a while)? It's possible that the owner is en route and you beat them there. I'd put my wet clothes in the hamper and set it by the dryer that has stopped. Check back in 10 or 15 minutes. IF the clothes are STILL in the dryer, pull them out and put yours in. They should not leave their clothes in the dryer for too long either (especially on a weekend day), that's a breach of etiquette too.

Answer 5

People are supposed to leave their baskets nearby in case the clothes dry before they get back.

You may take the dry clothes and set them on top of the dryer they came out of.

And yes, the person had the right to remove your wet clothes and put them on the table. That's just how it's done in public laundry facilities.

Answer 6

I personally believe that you should give them a time limit. Say that you notice their dryer stops at 2:30, and you have to put your clothes in the dryer. You should wait 20 minutes or so for the owner of the clothes to show up and remove their clothes. If no one shows after about 25 minutes, I think it would be kind to remove their clothes and fold them into neat piles where they would be able to find them. If any of their clothing is still wet, then you should hang it. If there's an attendant, you should ask them to watch over the person's clothes if they don't mind.
If at any time you run into this person, you should explain your reasoning and then apologize as well.


This might not be what is considered proper, but I believe this is the right thing to do.

Answer 7

If someone left clothes in the washer, I put them on top of the dryer. Never put anyones clothes in the dryer. someone did that to me once and I have clothes that cannot be dried.
If clothes are dry in the dryer, put them on top of the dryer. Never take wet or slightly wet clothes out of the dryer.
We only have 3 washers and dryers, it sucks. I don't mind people touching my clothes to put them on top of the dryer, but I think someone is stealing my underware!!!

Answer 8

You're lucky you have more then 1 washer/dryer.. I would wait maybe 10 min and then take the clothes out and nicely leave them in a basket where he/she can retrieve them... I've had situations where the person just left them, so I took them out and put them in a plastic bag and went about my business.. I don't have time to play laundry games....

Answer 9

Honestly, I don't see the big deal about taking wet OR dry clothes out of their respective machines, as long as the stuff is treated with respect. (Except the underwear load. That's gross.) But seriously, if wet clothes are taken out of the washing machine, who cares? They're going in the dryer anyway, so it's not like they'll smell. The only time I get really annoyed is when my dry stuff is taken out of the dryer and left in a heap to get wrinkly (or if someone stopped the dry cycle on me early). When I take others' stuff out of the dryer, I either lay it flat or fold it for them. It's all about treating others' property with respect. It's not worth getting your panties in a bunch over stuff that was taken out as long as it wasn't strewn everywhere.

Answer 10

first of all, why make all the trips? bring a book and chair or do your bills or talk on the phone or whatever to pass the time as you wait for your clothes to get done. This way no worries about someone touching your stuff.
I have taken out clothes out of dryers, if the owner isn't there and the clothes are COLD as they been in there so long- then folded them neatly and left them on top for them to come get them.