Why Don’t American Apartments have Washing Machines? (11 Reasons)

When you think about it, it’s kind of strange that many American apartments don’t come with washing machines.

I mean, they have refrigerators and other basic appliances, so why not washing machines?

If you are looking to rent an apartment in America there are some odds that the apartment you get will not have a washing machine or even a provision for it.

But America is a great country, so there probably has to be a good reason, even if they are the only ones doing it. [On a low note ;)]

Here is why Americans don’t have washing machines in their apartments:

Americans don’t have washing machines in some of their apartments because these apartments were built at a time when the use of coin-operated laundry was common practice in apartments. Because of that, apartments were built without provision for washing machines since they could easily access a central point to get their laundry done. Most Modern apartments however have washing machines.

In this article, we will look at 7 interesting facts about why washing machines aren’t in American apartments.

Why don’t American Apartments have washing machines?

This is a question that has come across the minds of many people after they realized that a large apartment they visited didn’t have any washing machines in the rooms.

Although some modern American apartments have washing machines, it’s still common to see some apartments even in New York City without washing machines or dryers.

Here are some interesting reasons why American apartments don’t have washing machines:

1. Washing machines weren’t always common household appliances

Washing machines have only been around for a little over 100 years and they weren’t always common household appliances.

It wasn’t until the 1950s that washing machines started to become widely used in American homes.

As a result, people who built their homes didn’t consider washing machines.

2. Apartment buildings were built before washing machines were common

Many apartment buildings in America were built before washing machines were common household appliances.

This means that the apartments were not designed with washing machines in mind and there is often no provision for them in the apartments.

Some of the apartments still in full operation in America date way back.

Not all of them have yet made provisions to accommodate washers or dryers.

3. The cost of installing washer and dryer hookups can be prohibitive for landlords.

Another reason why American apartments don’t have washing machines is that the cost of installing washer and dryer hookups can be prohibitive for landlords.

It can cost thousands of dollars to install washer and dryer hookups in an apartment that many landlords aren’t ready for it.

Rather, they prefer a centralized laundromat where residents can pay to get their laundry done.

4. Many American apartments are too small to accommodate a washer

In the USA, space is often at a premium and many apartments are too small to accommodate washers and dryers.

Americans would rather have that space used as something else like a closet because you can always get your clothes washed at a laundromat in the apartment or just close by.

5. Washer and dryer units can undergo significant wear and tear to an apartment.

American apartments don’t have washing machines because washer and dryer units can undergo significant wear and tear which in most cases is going to be the responsibility of the landlord.

It is not usually cheap to repair broken washers and a faulty washer can often be a nuisance.

Imagine having a washer that is leaking and gets flooded.

The damages and inconvenience it would cause to other residents of the apartment.

This is something that landlords want to avoid as it can result in costly repairs.

6. Shared facilities

Some apartment buildings may have shared laundry facilities that residents can use instead of having their own washing machines.

This can be a cost-effective solution for landlords, as they only need to maintain one machine for the entire building.

7. Apartment buildings in America are often not equipped with laundry facilities.

One of the main reasons why American apartments don’t have washing machines is because apartment buildings in America are often not equipped with laundry facilities.

This means that there is no provision for washers and dryers in many American apartments.

As a result, residents have to either do their laundry at a laundromat or make other arrangements.

This is often seen as a more efficient way to manage the laundry needs of an apartment complex.

It also means that residents don’t have to worry about the cost or maintenance of their own washer and dryer.

8. Expensive to pay for electricity.

If you are someone on a tight budget, the last thing you want is an appliance that will drive up your electricity bill.

Washing machines add up to the cost of power and can be quite expensive to run.

Considering this, some Americans prefer apartments where there isn’t any washing machine.

Bills can be high in America, but there are always ways to cut costs.

9. Laundry is convenient and costs cents.

In some cases, laundry is actually more convenient and cost-effective to do outside of the home.

This is especially true in larger cities where there are many laundromats available.

It can be cheaper to wash your clothes at a laundromat than it is to wash them at home, and you don’t have to worry about the cost or maintenance of the washer.

That is why some New York City apartments simply don’t have washing machines.

10. Personal preference

Some people may prefer to use a laundromat or a shared laundry room rather than having their own washing machine.

This could be due to a lack of space in their apartment, a desire to save money on a machine and utilities, or simply a preference for using shared facilities.

11. Landlords are trying to save money

In some cases, landlords are simply trying to save money by not installing washers and dryers in their apartments.

This is because they can be expensive to purchase and maintain.

Additionally, laundry facilities take up valuable space that could be used for something else.

As a result, landlords sometimes make the decision to not include laundry facilities in the apartment.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, 11 reasons why washing machines aren’t in most American apartments.

Although there are no washing machines in some apartments for the reasons we mentioned above, there are many more apartments in the USA that have washing machines.

Always ensure to find out if your apartment has any provisions for washers or dryers in their rooms if it’s something you want to have.

You will always find one that suits your preferences.