More Estonians are taking their laundry to self-service laundromats

Self-service laundromats are opening across Tallinn as more people choose to wash their clothes away from home, despite most households having a washing machine, ERR reports. The reasons include a shortage of time, limited space to dry laundry and the speed of commercial machines.

Self-service laundries first appeared in Estonia about 60 years ago, when many homes lacked running water and washing machines were out of reach for many households. They faded away around two decades ago as automatic washing machines became commonplace.

Ingmar Saksing, a board member of real estate company LVM, said smaller apartments were one factor behind the renewed interest, but not the only one. He said people increasingly regarded laundry as a tedious chore and had less time for household tasks.

Most homes still have room for a washing machine, Saksing said, even if it has to go under a sink or into kitchen furniture. Finding space to dry clothes can be harder, particularly in small apartments without balconies.

Aljona, who lives in Mustamäe, brought laundry to a laundromat despite having both a washing machine and a dryer at home. She said washing bedding took two to two and a half hours at home, compared with about half an hour at the laundromat. She can do her shopping while the machine runs.

Laundrix board member Mairo Matsi said the larger machines can handle more laundry at once. Laundromat representative Kristiina Lõhkivi said customers include single men who prefer not to choose washing programmes themselves, as well as families bringing bulky items such as duvets and pillows.

Lõhkivi said home machines are generally less efficient than commercial ones, unless customers have bought a machine costing several thousand euros. For those with a high-end machine, she said, the main advantage of a laundromat is saving time.

Laundry is busiest at weekends, but the period from 10 p.m. to midnight is also popular, the report said.