How resistant are Americans to washing machines? The secret behind their preference for laundromats over buying one.

If you've ever walked down the streets of the United States, you may have often seen a familiar scene: in the laundromat at the street corner, busy people are moving about.

Some carry a large basket of dirty clothes inside, some stand beside a tumble dryer scrolling on their phones, and others are carefully folding and organizing clothes just pulled from the dryer.

At first glance, laundromats seem to be an integral part of American daily life.

So why do Americans prefer going to laundromats instead of washing clothes at home?

Especially in big cities, many apartments don’t even have washing machines.

Why is this the case?

In many American cities, especially in older neighborhoods like New York, many buildings were constructed in the mid-20th century or even earlier.

These old houses didn’t leave space for washing machines because, at the time, home washing machines were not widely available.

Washing machines became commonplace in the 1950s, but most homes back then were not designed with this in mind.

Take New York as an example: a high-rise building constructed in 1870 had a plumbing diagram that detailed the placement of toilets, washbasins, and bathtubs, but there were no provisions for a washing machine.

This means that if someone living in such a building wanted to install a washing machine, they would have to pay an astronomical price to renovate the plumbing system, possibly even altering the building’s structure.

This isn’t just an economic issue, it also involves permits and complex approval processes.

If the building is a historical landmark, it could be nearly impossible to make these changes.

In addition, certain areas in the U.S. have strict housing regulations, which is another reason why laundromats are so popular.

For example, some communities have clear "clothesline bans," prohibiting residents from hanging clothes outdoors.

The reasoning behind this is that outdoor drying not only affects the appearance of the community but many believe it makes the area look poor, untidy, and even lower class.

To maintain the community's image, many homeowners' associations strictly enforce this rule, and residents who violate it may face fines.

So, those who want to use a washing machine at home face another problem: how to deal with drying clothes.

On one hand, they could use drying racks inside the house, but this would affect the cleanliness and tidiness of the living space.

On the other hand, many people opt to purchase a dryer, combining washing and drying in one machine.

In fact, up to 80% of washing machines in the U.S. are used in conjunction with dryers, making the process convenient and solving the clothes drying issue.

But even with a dryer, the problem isn’t entirely solved.

In many places in the U.S., there are very strict noise regulations.

For example, in Maryland, the noise level in residential areas cannot exceed 55 decibels, and some places even require it to be no more than 45 decibels.

New York City has enacted noise control laws, specifying that all sources of noise must not exceed 45 decibels and must not last more than three minutes.

Violators can face fines ranging from $500 to $2,500.

However, a regular home washing machine can generate noise levels as high as 62 decibels, and the noise during the spin cycle can reach up to 72 decibels.

Clearly, such noise levels can easily violate these strict regulations.

As a result, many people prefer to go to laundromats to avoid complaints from neighbors about noise.

These factors have driven the rapid growth of laundromats in the U.S.

Since the early 1950s, laundromats have begun appearing across the country.

People can wash and dry their clothes with a coin, making it convenient and time-saving.

Over time, due to housing structure limitations, regulatory constraints, and other convenience factors, laundromats have become an integral part of American urban life and even developed into a unique cultural phenomenon.

Today, in 2021, the U.S. laundromat market has reached a value of $5 billion.

Laundromats not only meet people's basic laundry needs but have also become social and relaxation spots for many Americans.

You’ll see many people chatting with each other while doing laundry, sharing bits and pieces of their daily lives, as if it’s not just a mundane chore but a social activity.

In the U.S., laundromats have become a part of daily life.

Especially in urban areas, laundromats often serve as a place for communication within neighborhoods.

Whether young or old, people meet here, share their life experiences, and sometimes even form regular “laundry times,” creating a unique community atmosphere.

These laundromats are not just about practicality but carry a lifestyle.

Why do Americans prefer going to laundromats?

There are various reasons, including physical barriers from historical buildings and strict regulations on noise.

Under the influence of all these factors, many Americans choose to go to laundromats not only for convenience but also to avoid the hassle of installing washing machines at home.

Today, laundromats have become a unique sight on American streets and offer people a space of their own amidst the busy urban life.