Guests can't work your washing machine. Here's what to leave next to it

You get the message on day three of a week-long stay: "How do I use the washing machine? None of the buttons make sense." Or worse, a photo of a door that won't open with the guest's clothes trapped inside. Washing machines cause more messages than almost any other appliance, mainly because every model is different and none of them are intuitive.

Keep it to one programme

Most machines have a dozen settings. Guests need one. Pick the programme that works for normal clothes, like a 40°C everyday wash, and write the instructions for that alone:

Washing machine

1. Put in the clothes. Don't fill more than three-quarters full.
2. Add one detergent pod to the drum, not the drawer.
3. Turn the dial to "Cotton 40".
4. Press Start. A wash takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.
5. When it finishes, wait 2 minutes for the door to unlock.

That's enough for almost everyone. If someone needs a delicate wash, they'll ask, and they'll ask far less often than "how do I start it?"

Cover the three things that cause messages

Most washing machine messages are about one of these:

1. Detergent. Where it is, how much to use and where it goes. Guests using too much, or using washing-up liquid, is how machines end up flooding the floor with foam.
2. The door lock. Many machines lock the door for a minute or two after the cycle ends. Guests think it's broken. One line saves the panic.
3. Drying. Is there a dryer, a drying rack or a line outside? If it's a washer-dryer, explain how to switch to drying, because that's often a separate step.

Label the controls

If the controls are in a language guests may not read, or the symbols are cryptic, take a photo of the panel and label it: "Start", "Programme dial", "Temperature". A labelled photo works for every guest, whatever language they speak. Our appliance instructions template is set up for exactly this, and you can use it for the oven, dishwasher and coffee machine too.

Put the card where the question happens

Guests don't open the house manual when they're standing in front of the machine with an armful of clothes. Stick the instructions on the wall next to it, or on the lid if it's a top-loader. Laminate it, because laundry areas get damp. The same principle applies to all signage, as our post on what to print and post at check-in explains.

Keep a copy in your house manual too, so guests can read it before they need it.

Protect the machine

Add a short line about anything that could damage it:

• Don't overload the drum.
• Empty pockets first; coins and keys damage drums.
• Don't wash trainers or rugs without asking.
• Clean the dryer lint filter after each use.

Most guests are careful once they know. Without the line, someone washes a heavy rug, and you're paying for a repair mid-season.

Tell your cleaner too

Guests sometimes leave a load in the machine at checkout. Add "check the washing machine and dryer are empty" to your cleaning checklist, along with wiping the door seal and the detergent drawer. If you keep a small supply of detergent, add a restock check as well, so the next guest doesn't arrive to an empty box.

For longer stays, it's worth mentioning in the listing

If you get a lot of week-plus stays, a washing machine is a real selling point. Mention it in your description and make sure it's ticked in your amenities. Our post on long-stay discounts covers what else longer-stay guests look for.