Making a list of things you must learn is critical to spend a great life in Korea if you are planning on settling down here. You might want to start learning Korean and make some local friends that can assist you with your new transition. Or you might want to go ahead and download a few mobile apps that make your life in Korea easier. Among many things that you must get familiar with, knowing how to use a Korean washing machine and getting your laundry done is absolutely necessary for long-term foreign residents in Korea. Deciphering little Korean words and instructions that are written on your washing machine might be a pain in the neck for Korean beginners. Or you might be someone who is looking for answers as to what washing programs to use for your clothes. In this article, Expat Guide Korea provides a quick and insightful guide to everything you need to know about Korean washing machines.
Generally speaking, there are two major types of washing machines that are commonly used in Korean households. The first option is a standard ‘세탁기’ (se-takkki), which refers to the traditional form of the top-loading washing machine. Top-loading washing machines have their doors on the top that you can open and this usually allows you to add more laundry or washing liquid or gel in the middle of your washing program. This type of washing machines tend to require more water to wash clothes and can store a smaller amount of load.
Another popular type of washing machines commonly used in Korea is the ‘드럼세탁기’ (deureom se-takkki), which refers to the front-load washing machines. Becoming more popular than top-loading ones in recent years, front-load washing machines have front doors that cannot be opened once a program has started. Front-load washing machines usually have bigger loads and are more energy-efficient. This, however, does make front-load washing machines less powerful. In fact, front-load washing machines are designed to create higher and stronger revolutions during their spin cycles, which helps better dry your laundry as compared to top-loading washing machines.
Using Korean washing machines should not be too hard if you know a few key laundry-related Korean terms. Of course, each washing machine from different companies has specific programs and commands, but most Korean washing machines are loaded with frequently used buttons such as temperature control, cycle steps, types of your laundry, and spinning speed. Below is a quick summary of the Korean terms you have to know when using washing machines in Korea.
When doing laundry, the washing liquid is a must-have item. Some of the popularly used Korean products include Beat (비트) by CJ Lion, Tech (테크) by LG, and iQ by Aekyung. You might also want to check out our article on ‘Everything You Need to Know about Laundry Detergent in Korea’.
If you are reading this article, you are obviously interested in getting your laundry done. However, you might be someone who is new to Korea and does not own your personal washing machine but have got some laundry to finish nevertheless. In Korea, ‘빨래방’ (ppalrae bang) is the popular name for communal launderettes and is used by many people such as students, workers, and even travelers. If you walk around your neighborhood, you are guaranteed to stumble upon many self-service coin laundry rooms. And if you can’t find one, simply search ‘빨래방’ on NAVER Map on your mobile phone. Launderettes in most cases are open 24/7 and you can use these communal facilities at a fairly reasonable cost. Generally speaking, Korean launderettes cost you about 4,000 - 5,000 KRW per wash and then another 4,000 - 5,000 KRW if you want to use the dryer as well.
As a rule of thumb, Korean launderettes are loaded with many washing machines as well as driers that can do a huge load like blankets and bedding. And there are some launderettes that have special washing machines and dryers designed specifically for washing shoes. Using launderettes in Korea should not be too difficult but there are some tips that you might want to know before making your visit there. First of all, we would advise that you bring your own washing liquid if possible. While launderettes in Korea often have vending machines that sell a packet of single-use washing liquid (usually 1,000 - 2,000 KRW), not all of them offer this, so bring your own to be safe than sorry.
Bringing cash, especially coins, also is a good idea when you want to use launderettes in Korea. Though it might be hard to imagine in a cashless society like Korea, both washing machines and dryers only accept the 500 won coins, so make sure to have some coins handy. If you do not have coins at home, you can still break your 1,000 and 10,000 KRW notes at onsite changer machines. While there are an increasing number of launderettes in Korea that accept both coins and credit card, payment in cash still remains mainstream.
Finally, set a timer and pick up your laundry on time. Launderettes are communal faculties that anyone can use. Thus, there might be many people waiting in line to get their laundry done, just like you did. Moreover, theft is a common trouble in laundry facilities anywhere in the world, and Korea is no exception so make sure to be quick to pick up your clothes. Usually, it takes around 40 minutes to complete a wash at Korean launderettes so set a timer once your laundry begins.
