Why can't you have a washing machine at home in the US?
Russian citizens visiting the United States for business or tourism may be unpleasantly surprised by the lack of washing machines in their rental homes. Tourists naturally ask, "Where can I do my laundry? Is it really illegal to have a washing machine in this country?" Let's explore why there are no washing machines in homes and what to do if you don't want to wash your clothes by hand.
There are washing machines in some places
At first glance, it might seem that washing machines are prohibited in the United States. However, this is not the case. Americans living in rural areas, significantly remote from cities, purchase and install laundry equipment. In these cases, laundromats are located at considerable distances, and traveling the distance requires significant time and refueling, which is not very cost-effective or convenient for the average housewife.
In densely populated cities, washing machines in apartments are extremely rare. This applies to New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Dallas, and other cities. In multi-story buildings and residential complexes there are special “Laundryrooms are rooms that contain 2-3 washing machines.
You'll have to pay to use the equipment. The rooms operate similarly to laundries. The key difference is that you don't have to leave your home; "Laundryrooms" can be located right in your building.
Reasons for the unpopularity of home washing machines
There are several reasons why American citizens don't install washing machines in their apartments. Some of these items may seem ridiculous to a Russian, while others will give one pause. In most cases, Americans cite the following objective reasons:
- 70% of housing in the United States is rented out under a lease. Landlords don't install appliances because they simply don't want to get into trouble. They want to avoid costly repairs if appliances break down due to careless tenants. Another factor is the fear of flooding their neighbors, as such a misunderstanding could lead to lengthy legal proceedings and substantial damages.
- In the US, it's not common to place washing machines in bathrooms, much less in the kitchen. A special closet is reserved for the appliance. A small room for a washing machine can waste valuable square footage, which, mind you, is very valuable in America. Residents of the country would prefer to use this closet as a storage cabinet or for food preparations.
- In the United States, people are constantly moving from house to house and frequently traveling around the country. That's why Americans don't even think about buying a washing machine or other bulky household appliances.
- Many people believe that using a laundromat is more efficient and cost-effective. They can sort all the dirty laundry, place it into several drums at once, and finish the job much faster.
All of these reasons are valid. And everyone has different explanations for why they gave up their washing machine. Owning household appliances is not prohibited in America, so if the equipment doesn't cause internal discomfort to the owner, it can be installed in their own living space.
There are no cars in a large family.
Another factor driving Americans to give up washing machines is large families. For a Russian woman, this reason seems simply absurd, as a family with several children means a huge pile of laundry. This is where a "housekeeper" comes in handy, freeing up a couple of hours for cooking dinner, spending time with the children, and simply relaxing.
American women feel and think differently. They find it strange to load laundry into the drum several times a day, then take it out, hang it up to dry, wait until it's completely dry, then take it down, and so on, day after day. It's much easier for them to gather up 5-7 days' worth of laundry and visit a nearby laundromat. At professional facilities, you can separate all your laundry into separate washing machines, wash it, throw it in a professional dryer, and go home with a large supply of clean items.
US residents prefer to use laundries, which allow them to save not only the time spent on washing, but also money paid for electricity and water consumption.
A place for meeting and communication
American laundromats are no longer perceived solely as places with a huge number of machines. Laundromats are a place where you can make new friends, discuss politics, prices, and children, play board games, and watch TV together. Visiting the laundromat is considered an extra opportunity to make new acquaintances, chat with neighbors, and discuss the latest news.
Laundry owners often partner with cafes and restaurants. The food service establishment should be located within close proximity to the laundromat. This way, after running a laundry cycle, customers can safely visit a nearby restaurant and chat over a cup of coffee. Time flies even faster while eating.
In an American laundry
There are a great many facilities equipped with washer-dryers in the United States. Laundromats are located practically everywhere. Hours vary, but they generally have standard hours, closing after 10 p.m. You can also find laundromats open 24 hours.
Upon entering, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of washing machines. While some rooms are equipped with different models, the washing programs are mostly similar. All you need to do is sort your laundry, find an unoccupied machine, load it, add detergent to the dispenser, and start the cycle.
Each machine has a digital display that shows the current status of the equipment, as well as the price that must be paid to start the device. The average cost of one wash cycle is about two to three dollars.
In most cases, payment machines only accept 25-cent coins.
Once the cleansing process has begun, the housewife will have free time. This time can be spent in various ways – chatting with others, going for lunch at a nearby establishment, taking a stroll down the street, reading a magazine, etc.
You can bring laundry detergent from home, or you can use special vending machines that sell laundry detergent, soap, bleach, fabric softener, and stain remover. These machines dispense the required amount for just a quarter.
Once the washing cycle is complete, use the special cart to remove the items from the drum. Wet clothes are then transferred to the dryer. Be sure to check the dryer chamber for cleanliness before placing items inside.
The dryer costs the same 25 cents per 8 minutes of operation. If you have a large load of laundry, it will take about 40 minutes to dry completely, costing almost $1.50.
Larger laundries may have a receptionist. This employee will assist you with any questions and show you how to use the equipment. However, a dedicated attendant is the exception rather than the rule. Regular saunas don't have on-site staff, so if you have any questions, it's best to call the number posted on the wall banners. After calling, expect to wait 10 minutes for assistance.
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Smart people. And my upstairs neighbors do laundry every day, for several hours at a time, causing vibrations in my apartment.
What about disgust and sanitary standards?
When will this nonsense about washing machines in the US end?
The neighbors upstairs do laundry 24/7. 🙂 Why, I ask, do you turn on the washing machine at 3 a.m.? "Go away," they say, "forget it, we live here." Anyway, between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., if I hear their washing machine, I call the police. So far, that's helped. 🙂
It's better to have your own washing machine at home; the rubber bands on the washing machines in laundromats are covered in mold and dirt, and things always get dirty.
I understand about the landlords, but how clumsy do you have to be to cause a flood? You can't even open the washing machine while it's doing the laundry, so what flood is it? But putting it in the bathroom? What the hell is that? Are you kidding me?
But I agree about moving. If the owner is gone, I won't buy anything. But, guys, it's more profitable than laundries: you don't pay for laundry services.
You know, $12 a month is a pittance. $144 a year. I wonder how much a washing machine costs in the US? Then we can say which is better value.
Why does the title say "no" about the machine, but the article itself doesn't say a word about it?