A washing machine as a luxury: why New Yorkers go to laundries

Most New Yorkers do not have washing machines at home. Emigrant Wife (USA) said Olga, Yandex Zen about why 90% of the inhabitants of the largest city in America, like 30 years ago, are forced to go to laundries.

According to the girl, when her husband just moved to New York, they knew almost nothing about this city.

“There was a certain surprise why there are no washing machines either in hostels or in rented apartments. It seems that technology is advancing, and 90% of Americans go to the laundry in this city, ”the girl shared.

The reason?

To answer this question, you need to turn to history. The fact is that about 90% of apartment buildings in New York were built when washing machines were not yet popular (the first washing machine launched into mass production was created in 1907 year). In those days, New Yorkers visited laundries every weekend.

«And when progress came, it turned out that the drain pipes in these houses would not withstand such a huge amount of water, something would have to be constantly repaired. And the management companies of these houses decided what? Right! It was simply forbidden to install washing machines in their apartment, ”the girl explained.

At the same time, she noted, there are owners who bypass the ban and install washing machines in their apartments.

On the subject: Personal experience: laundry in the USA

Landlords, of course, do not install cars and strictly forbid tenants to do this.

“And if you took it off and bought a washing machine at your own expense, then when the owner finds out about it, he will evict and will not return the deposit,” the girl noted.

Conspiracy Hypothesis

There is a hypothesis that laundries appeared because it is profitable for business - after all, they are paid.

“Personally, I think this is a dubious option. Not so much money is spinning there, - the author added. - One wash costs $ 4-6. But the costs for water, equipment itself, and taxes in America are high. It's my opinion. But there is such a hypothesis ”.

Laundries: Pros and Cons

Be that as it may, today, the Americans continue to traditionally, like 30 years ago, spend their days off visiting laundries.

“On weekends, people go to the laundry with trunks of dirty linen and spend 2 to 4 hours in these laundries. Until things stretch, until they dry, "the author writes.

Speaking about the pluses of such a need, the girl noted that, in her opinion, they are not.

Among the minuses - a waste of time and the inability to maintain hygiene, washing their things with strangers.

“For example, you will wash the things of your month-old child in the machine in which a homeless man washed his trousers half an hour ago. And the homeless also wash things in the laundries, because there is nowhere else, ”she explained.

It is worth noting that there are lucky ones in New York who have a washing machine.

“Those who live or rent new homes in New York are lucky with the laundry. It is allowed to have a washing machine there, - said the girl. "And, of course, the owners of private houses also have their own washing machines."