Laundry in a studio

[dsneygirl]

I am also one who likes doing laundry on vacation. With a toddler it is essential as some days we go through 3 outfits. I just throw a load in, grab my book and sit by the pool for some "mommy" time. And all those shorts and t shirts seem to take less time to fold then bulky winter wear.

 

[crazywig]

Hope you don't mind me adding to this post but as long as we are speaking about laundry.. I once read about some detergent that Target sold that sounded like the kind you use in your dishwasher. Easy to pack, to use, premeasured. Anyway, we went to Target yesterday and couldn't find it. Anyone know what I am talking about and what's it called? Trying to start planning for upcoming ssr trip. Thanks for any help!

Are you talking about Dropps? I bought a box of this at walmart and i take a half dozen on each trip. They are little gel packs.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Wait, you need liquid detergent? DH has an allergy to liquids so we may use the cash machines after all.

Yes... if it is a HE machine they use special soap. You can use regular liquid on our machine but at a much reduced amount.


As for Jekjones comments... omgosh... I didn't even think of that. Our clothes stink if you don't let the washer air out between cycles. I can't imagine how a much of DVC guests would even know this. I've even left a load in my washer once all day and my clothes got mildewed. I ended up having to soak in bleach a long time.

Thanks for pointing that out. Because it is definitely a waste of our dues if the machines get ruined..

 

[DznyDreamz]

Maybe I'm just a moron, but what the heck is a HE machine and what does it have to do with liquid or powder detergent?

 

[Teachckg]

Maybe I'm just a moron, but what the heck is a HE machine and what does it have to do with liquid or powder detergent?

I think it stands for high efficiency. They use special kind of detergent or less of the normal kind (but it is recommended to use the HE kind). The Washer takes longer but the dryers take A LOT shorter time.


I have another question.... We will be in a studio at BWV in June... when will it be the best time to use it? Is it hard to find them unoccupied?

 

[jekjones1558]

We will be in a studio at BWV in June... when will it be the best time to use it? Is it hard to find them unoccupied?

I was worried about this during our trip Dec. 28 - Jan. 6. Because it is a busy time at WDW I thought that the laundry would be very busy also. I hadn't stayed in a studio for many years. Well maybe I was just lucky but I did laundry 3 different times. Twice all of the machines were empty. Once 1 dryer was being used. There are 3 washers but only 2 dryers.

 

[Caskbill]

Maybe I'm just a moron, but what the heck is a HE machine and what does it have to do with liquid or powder detergent?

It stands for High Efficiency. They take special liquid soap, guessing they only use about a fifth or less of the water as a regular machine, are much gentler on the clothes being washed, and the clothes are much dryer when done washing which reduces the dryer time required.

I'm guessing powdered detergent doesn't work because there isn't much water used for the detergent to properly dissolve.

 

[DISNEYFOURME]

Are you talking about Dropps? I bought a box of this at walmart and i take a half dozen on each trip. They are little gel packs.

Thank you.. thank you!! Now I can put a name to my search! The link is awesome too!

 

[patsal]

The only issue that I have found is that the Villas attached to the deluxe resorts ahve way too few washers and dryers for the number of people using them. If I am staying in a studio then I pack enough in case I can't get in there.
For our usual 2 week vacation I pack about four outfits each in a carryon and we are all set in the 1BR.

 

[spiceycat]

For crying out loud, why doesn't DVC get its act together and get the proper laundry detergent into the DVC laundries that have HE machines and let members know about this! These machines are going to be ruined in no time. The vending machines in the laundry rooms still hold soap for regular machines. There are NO instructions posted (at least not at BWV) for how to operate the HE machines or what soap to use. The doors are being closed when not in use and the machines are already starting to smell musty. I was lucky to have read on these boards that BWV now has HE machines so I brought liquid and softener designed for HE machines. But how are members supposed to know this? Why hasn't there been something in member publications or on the website. How maddening!

thank you - yes it would help if DVC did instructions. but you might think this was fun. when I couldn't get the HE machine to work call maintence - they could not either!!!

what is liquid and softerner designed for HE - it is the regular stuff only less of it.

where do you put the detergent in this thing?

how do you turn it on?

what happens if the last person turn it off before it was finished?

DVC really needs to give us instructions in how to use these new things and the right stuff.

 

[spiceycat]

Thank you.. thank you!! Now I can put a name to my search! The link is awesome too!

here the walmart one
http://www.walmart.com/search/searc..._0&search_query=detergent&Find.x=19&Find.y=11

 

[jlewisinsyr]

what is liquid and softerner designed for HE - it is the regular stuff only less of it.

HE soap is not just regular soap in reduced amounts. Its actually formulated to produce less foam/bubbles while cleaning and rinsing out of your clothes with the less amount of water.

Those who just put in less "normal" soap are doing damage to the machines and their clothes as the "normal" soap doesn't rinse out properly with the reduced amount of water.

 

[katallo]

HE soap is not just regular soap in reduced amounts. Its actually formulated to produce less foam/bubbles while cleaning and rinsing out of your clothes with the less amount of water.

Those who just put in less "normal" soap are doing damage to the machines and their clothes as the "normal" soap doesn't rinse out properly with the reduced amount of water.

You're correct. You need the detergent marked HE. I hope Disney realizes guests can't close the doors on the washers. The HE washers produce mold very quickly when closed.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Well, before I ruin the fancy-schmancy HE washers, I'll carry my stuff over to the regular ol' pay machines and cough up the $10 to do a load. Its easier then searching out the special liquid and causing my clothes to smell moldy. So much for "free laundry" being a perk!!

 

[MLANGE6969]

We have used the laundry facilities during all of our trips to BWV and find it saves in luggage costs since we do not have to pack for each day.

 

[DznyDreamz]

HE soap is not just regular soap in reduced amounts. Its actually formulated to produce less foam/bubbles while cleaning and rinsing out of your clothes with the less amount of water.

Those who just put in less "normal" soap are doing damage to the machines and their clothes as the "normal" soap doesn't rinse out properly with the reduced amount of water.

You're correct. You need the detergent marked HE. I hope Disney realizes guests can't close the doors on the washers. The HE washers produce mold very quickly when closed.

Just an update on the laundry situation with a studio. I had to call the front desk to find the laundry room for the villas. It wasn't easy to find!

There were signs saying to use half the amount of detergent you would in a regular machine. The wash cycle takes a loooong time, 52 minutes to wash the load so it took a while. There are only 2 of each machine and lucky for us, the machines were not being used when we got there.

It is very nice to have free laundry and I'm looking forward to our stay in a 1BR so we have in-room laundry. This was a nice alternative though and made good use of a cold rainy morning.

 

[katallo]

Wow, I'm really surprised about the detergent. We purchased our HE washer last year and were told to only use HE detergent. Maybe things have changed with newer models.

 

[spiceycat]

Well, before I ruin the fancy-schmancy HE washers, I'll carry my stuff over to the regular ol' pay machines and cough up the $10 to do a load. Its easier then searching out the special liquid and causing my clothes to smell moldy. So much for "free laundry" being a perk!!

most of the laundry mat - have both. I just use the old type - it is much faster than the new ones.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Wow, I'm really surprised about the detergent. We purchased our HE washer last year and were told to only use HE detergent. Maybe things have changed with newer models.

I was surprised too reading everyone's comments. I told DH that we should use the regular coin machines so we could use regular detergent. He overruled me and much to my surprise, we were able to use the soap.

I'm not really sure how a machine that takes twice as long to wash the clothes is more efficient, but if they say so.....

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We were in a "modified handicap" 2BR at SSR in January and it had a front load washer in the stacked set.

I was given the normal box of Tide. I did use less detergent (1/2), but didn't realize it should be even less than that.

There were no instructions and I have never used a front loader before.

Oh well. I hope they don't get ruined. It was by far the most quiet washer I have ever used. This was especially nice as close to the living room as it was.