How to Use a Korean Washing Machine (Decoding the Buttons)
You’ve checked into your LiveAnywhere studio. You have a pile of dirty clothes. You open the washing machine door. Panic. All the buttons are in Korean. What is "헹굼"? What is "탈수"?
If you press the wrong button, you might boil your favorite sweater. Here is your cheat sheet for doing laundry in Korea.
The "Big 4" Buttons You Must Know
Most "Drum" washing machines (Samsung or LG) built into officetels use these terms:
표준 (Pyo-jun) = Standard / Normal Cycle
Use this for 90% of your laundry. It usually sets the temperature to 30°C or 40°C and rinses twice.
쾌속 (Kwae-sok) = Quick Wash
Use this for lightly soiled clothes. It finishes in about 30 minutes.
헹굼 (Heng-gum) = Rinse
Use this if you added too much soap and need to rinse again.
탈수 (Tal-su) = Spin / Drain
Use this to squeeze water out without adding more water.
Where is the Dryer? (The Drying Rack Culture)
Here is a shock for many Western travelers: Most Korean homes DO NOT have a tumble dryer.
Instead, we use Drying Racks (Bbal-lae Geon-jo-dae).
Why? It saves electricity and prevents clothes from shrinking.
How: You set up the metal rack (usually folded in the corner or built into the wall) and hang your wet clothes.
Tip: Korean apartments have floor heating (Ondol). In winter, your clothes will dry incredibly fast because the heat comes from the floor!
Why LiveAnywhere is Better than a Hotel
Hotels charge $5-$10 just to wash one shirt. Coin laundries require you to sit and wait for an hour.
When you book with LiveAnywhere:
In-Unit Washer: Every single one of our listings has a washing machine inside the room.
Free Laundry: Buy a bag of detergent ($3) and wash unlimited clothes for free.
Drying Rack Provided: We ensure every room has a drying rack so you aren't hanging wet socks on the TV.
Don't let dirty laundry pile up.
Live like a local with your own private laundry setup.