One of many things that surprised me in Switzerland is the lack of a washing machine in my apartment. Moreover, I have a clause in the lease that says I cannot have a washing machine until I receive written consent from the landlord. The good thing is that if we don’t have to buy it, we won’t spend money on it!
Why are there no washing machines in your apartment?
As I’ve found out in Switzerland, it is common for residents not to have personal washing machines in their homes. Instead, shared laundry facilities are placed in Swiss buildings (mostly in basements), where residents can use communal washers and dryers. This may initially seem like an inconvenience, but there are some advantages to using these shared laundry facilities.
One of the challenges of not having a personal washing machine in Switzerland is the limitation on laundry usage times and schedules. Residents may have to plan ahead and coordinate with neighbors to secure a time slot for doing their laundry. This system can be frustrating for those accustomed to the convenience of having a washing machine readily available at any time.
When can you make your laundry?
In many cases, each apartment has a pre-assigned day and time when you can do laundry. Of course, washing is prohibited on Sundays, because it is a day of rest when you must refrain from work that disturbs your neighbors’ rest. Laundry can be limited to a specific day of the week or even to a few specified hours. If you are not at home, then you usually have to wait until the next week, when it is your time to do laundry. What you can do is use some outside laundry facilities.
My experience
In my case, fortunately, I have one whole day a week to do laundry. But if I’m not home, then the laundry will have to wait.
What surprised me about my washing machine, however, is the fact that there is a money machine near it, which requires inserting money. If I do not do so, at some point the electricity to the washing machine may be cut off and I will have to start washing from the beginning. However, the machine is open and the same coins are inserted into it over and over again. This is a mechanism left from the past when laundry was paid for. However, I must admit that when I didn’t know about it, I was very surprised when there was no electricity to finish my washing. I was sure I had broken the washer and dryer.
Benefits
Despite these challenges, there are several benefits to using shared laundry facilities in Switzerland. Firstly, shared laundry services are cost-effective and efficient as they eliminate the need for individual machines in each residence.
Moreover, this practice aligns with Swiss values such as sustainability and resource conservation. By sharing appliances, energy consumption is reduced, contributing to environmental preservation efforts. Overall, not having a personal washing machine in Switzerland may not be as significant of an issue.
When traveling or living abroad, adapting to different cultural norms, like using shared laundry facilities, can provide valuable insights into the local way of life and foster a deeper understanding of the host country’s values and practices.
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