Staying in a Hostel? The Unwritten Rules of Shared Laundry Machines
The Battle for the Machine
Hostels and Guesthouses are great for meeting people, but they often only have 2 washing machines for 50 guests. The laundry competition can be fierce.
The “Hostel Laundry” Survival Guide
1. Timing is Everything
Everyone wants to wash between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Avoid this “Rush Hour.” The best time is early morning (7:00 AM) or mid-day if you are taking a break.
2. Don’t Be the “Abandoned Clothes” Guy
In a hostel, leaving your finished clothes in the machine for even 10 minutes is a major sin. People are waiting.
- Set an Alarm: Seriously. Be there when it clicks off.
- Use the Basket: If you leave, put your laundry basket on top of the machine. It signals: “If I’m late, you can put my wet clothes in this basket.”
3. Keep 100 Yen Coins
Hostel machines are often older coin-op models that don’t give change. Hoard your 100-yen coins!
