Students Report Washstation Issues in Halls

Students at Agnes Blackadder Hall have reported consistent problems with laundry facilities in the opening weeks of the academic year, with malfunctioning machines, lost payments, and long delays causing frustration.

Several students reported that the Washnet app system, which manages bookings and payments, has been frequently failing. Payments have sometimes been processed without a cycle starting, while machines have occasionally displayed error messages during the washing process. 

Students gathered around the ABH lobby, trying to find a “sweet spot” where the Wi-Fi would work, complaining that the Washnet app often disconnected within the laundry room, forcing them to reconnect elsewhere. Some students even reported waiting up to four hours before managing to do a load of laundry. Others recalled that students dumped out clean clothes onto the floor, rushing to secure a machine. 

Malika, a first-year in ABH, said, “I had trouble getting it to start despite booking for it. It cost £3 — enough for a cappuccino.” Another student, Luise, described delays: “Each step did not load for ten minutes,” while another student Melis recalled finding her machine in error mode when she returned, stating “I had to drown out all of the water out of my clothes.” 

One student even recalled losing as much as £20 through failed cycles. While dryer charges were eventually fully refunded, the £3 washing fees were not, with even partial repayments taking more than a week to process.

When students sought help at reception in the hall, staff explained that the machines are operated by a private company, “Washnet, powered by Washstation,” and that hall staff have a limited ability to assist with laundry issues.

Residents in other halls did not report these same problems. “It has not scammed us yet,” said Matej, a first-year in David Russell Apartments. Abina, a student living in University Hall, “did not have any issues.” Luisa, living in McIntosh Hall, added, “They have been fine, just one machine does not work.” 

Yet Ali, a first-year in St Salvator’s Hall, noted, “We do not have enough laundry machines for Sallies. One of the dryers has been broken for a week and Washnet can be difficult to upload money to [...] It is so expensive.”

In a statement to The Saint, the University confirmed that they were aware of the issues in ABH. However, it claimed that the recent problems were “not related to the laundry but the Wi-Fi provision and the level of demand over the arrival week.” IT Services have been made aware and “are looking into it,” while staff have been asked to check and report broken machines. Although no widespread issues with the app have been recorded, the University acknowledged “unacceptable delays in repairing machines in at least two halls,” which have been escalated to Washstation.

The University spokesperson said that students are encouraged to “report all issues directly to Washstation, who can be contacted via email, phone, or Whatsapp.” If no response is received, they are required to notify hall staff, who can then pass the complaint along. 

Concerns about the cost and reliability of student laundry have been longstanding. In 2019, the Students’ Association passed Motion J19-3, citing frequent complaints about providers Circuit Laundry and Washstation Laundry across university halls and private residences.

Students can report issues directly to Washnet via service@washstation.co.uk or 0800 141 2331.