How do you handle STR laundry for larger properties?

Question

Hi everyone!

I own a 6BR short-term rental in Estes Park, Colorado, which generates a lot of laundry—especially because we use high-quality linens. We’ve tried off-site laundry, but our sheets get mixed up and replaced with lower-quality ones, so we prefer on-site washing.

Currently, our cleaners have about four hours between guests to process 6–8 loads, but the dryer is the bottleneck at 1.5 hours per load. Two potential solutions I have in my mind are:

• 1. Install additional stackable W/D units in the garage (requires some electrical work).
• 2. Upgrade to a commercial-style stackable setup that can dry faster (30–45 minutes), hopefully fitting in our existing laundry closet without extra electrical work.

Any recommendations or specific brand/model suggestions for handling this high-volume, semi-commercial laundry? Or any additional options I'm not considering?

Thanks in advance!

Andrew Steffens · Answer

We have 3 sets of sheets per property.  One on beds, one being laundered, and one clean set in the closet.

Not sure about the infrastructure in that market but I did not see it suggested you use a commercial laundry.  You should be able to build this into your cleaning fee.  There are the self service options as well as drop off and pick up options.

Sarah Kensinger · Answer

I would think twice before using a Speed Queen dryer! While I love the brand and have personally used them for the past 7.5 years, the dryer takes FOREVER when doing loads of bedding or towels. But I have heard good things on Maytag's commercial line. I get the frustrations of laundry and especially losing expensive luxury linens that gain 5-star reviews and very happy guests. Watching my linens get swapped out for cheaper quality would be rather upsetting to me and I would keep all laundry at the property. So, if you could get another dryer, maybe even two, and place them in a garage or closet I would work out how to do that asap!

Andrew Street · Answer

Hi Elizabeth - I know how tough it can be to manage laundry for a 6BR rental, especially with high-quality linens and tight turnarounds. Honestly, upgrading to a commercial-grade stackable setup like Speed Queen or Maytag might be your best bet. They’re built for heavy use and have faster drying times—usually 30–45 minutes—without needing major electrical changes.If you’re up for a bigger investment, adding extra stackable units in the garage could be a great long-term fix, though it’ll mean some electrical work and setting up proper ventilation.I’d probably go for the commercial upgrade in your current space first—it’s quicker and might solve the bottleneck right away. Let me know if you want to chat more about it or need specific model ideas!

Elizabeth Orth-He · Answer

Thanks, all. We actually do have multiple sets of sheets, which is how we've been getting by so far. The cleaner has indeed been taking the laundry home to finish since they haven't been able to get everything washed and dried during the 4-hour cleaning window.

We will look into the commercial laundry service more. The issue we had is that over time, our sheets get mixed up with other customers' (cheaper) sheets, and we ultimately end up with an inventory of sheets that are not ours. Maybe we just need to find a better laundry service. :)

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

This is a no-brainer to me, and the others have already mentioned it. Just have extra sets of sheets. Even though I had a full size W/D on site, I still used this method.....

Jonathan Greene · Answer

Just get a second set of sheets for each property so the turnover isn't pending the same sheets going back on the beds. This will also help them last longer together as a pair in each unit. Then you can take them off-site yourself so you have time until the next changeover or create another option for the cleaners that they go back and finish the sheets and store them so their changeovers will be easier as well.

Elizabeth Orth-He · Answer

Hi Andrew,

Actually, I would really appreciate suggestions for specific models. I've seen the Speed Queen SF series recommended in a few places. If you have any recommendations for other Maytag or Speed Queen models I should check out, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Jon Martin · Answer

With the exception of 1 bedroom units, you basically have 2 options:

-Oversized/commercial machines (potentially multiple sets)

-Off site cleaning with clean spares on site

The latter is almost always the most efficient and basically what hotels do at scale. If your cleaners are trying to clean multiple units between 11 and 3pm, that is likely the only way it's possible. Most cleaners are willing to do this, so you shouldn't have to deal with a 3rd party commercial laundry service.

Collin Hays · Answer

Agree with Jonathan.  Change out the used sheets with fresh ones, then take the used ones off-site. For an extra charge, the cleaners may be willing to do with laundry at their home, although I did this once and had mixed results.

How do you handle STR laundry for larger properties?

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