Laundry room
What can and can’t you wash in the communal laundry room? Is the laundry room free to use? How do I book the laundry? Who is allowed to use it and when? How can such a small space raise so many questions? Don’t worry, we aim to answer them all on this page.
The concept of a laundry room 'pesutupa, pyykkitupa or talopesula' is familiar to every Finn, but it may not mean much to someone who has moved here from abroad. The English term laundry room often refers to a utility room within a home that is dedicated to washing clothes. In Finland and a few other countries, however, a laundry room is often located within a residential block or shared by several apartment buildings at the same address. A more precise term for this type of facility is communal laundry room.
What can be washed in the laundry room?
If the care label on your clothes, accessories, towels, tablecloths, bedding, cleaning textiles or curtains includes the water-wash symbol, shown as a wash tub with a temperature marking inside, the item can be washed in a washing machine. The temperature marking indicates the highest washing temperature the textile can safely withstand.
Most washing machines also have a hand-wash programme, which can be used for items whose care label shows a wash tub with a hand inside it. Otherwise, wash such textiles by hand in lukewarm water.
What should not be washed in a laundry machine, or perhaps not even in your own washing machine?
Rugs, rugs, rugs. No type of rug should ever be washed in a communal laundry room washing machine. Rug fibres, from shaggy rugs to traditional rag rugs, absorb so much water that the washing machine’s mechanics cannot cope with the load. Not even the drum of the largest machine in the laundry, let alone a domestic washing machine.
If the care label shows a crossed-out wash tub, the textile must not be washed with water.
Wall hangings are another type of textile that should not be put in a washing machine. The reason is the same as with rugs: the weight of the textile when wet. Traditional wall hangings in particular should be treated with care and taken to a professional cleaner.
Heavily soiled textiles and workwear do not belong in the laundry washing machines. The machines must be left clean for the next user, so remove difficult stains such as grease, oil and soil by hand or wash such items in your own machine.
What should not be spun or tumble dried?
The same rules apply to tumble dryers and spin dryers as to the washing machines in the laundry. Please do not place rugs, wall hangings, heavily soiled textiles or heavy workwear in them.
What should not be dried in the drying room?
Rugs and wall hangings must not be dried in the drying room, as their weight can stretch and damage the drying lines.
Who can use the communal laundry room?
The laundry facilities in SATO buildings are intended for residents’ use. There is no age limit for using the laundry room, but if doing the washing is the responsibility of a teenager in your household, a parent should make sure that they follow the laundry rules.
At what times can I use the laundry room?
Please, check your building's laundry room's wall or bulletin board, or booking system, for specific times.
How much does it cost to use a SATO laundry room?
In buildings fully owned by us, laundry facilities are free of charge for residents of our rental homes.
General rules for using SATO’s laundry facilities
In most SATO laundry facilities, you can usually book a washing machine for two hours at a time and a tumble dryer, drying room or drying cabinet for two hours at a time. You can generally make up to four bookings per week.
Check the rules for your building’s laundry on the wall of the laundry room or on the noticeboard.
Respect your neighbours’ time
Book a laundry slot in advance. There are many users, but there are often more available times during the middle of the day on weekdays.
Stick to the schedule. If you cannot use your booked slot, remember to cancel it. Another resident may use the slot if you have not started within 15 minutes of the booking start time.
Please follow these instructions:
Book a slot in the laundry room or drying room by writing your name in the calendar or booking book provided, or use the electronic booking system if your building has one.
Use a moderate amount of detergent and place it in the correct compartment.
Avoid strongly scented detergents, as they may leave residue in the machine and cause problems for neighbours with allergies.
Only use detergents intended for machine washing. Hand-washing detergents may cause excessive foaming and interfere with the machine’s operation.
Clean the washing machine and tumble dryer after use. This helps prevent detergent build-up and makes it more pleasant for the next resident to do their laundry.
Switch off all machines you have used and turn taps to the off position.
The laundry and drying room in your building are intended only for washing and drying lightweight laundry. To prevent damage, do not wash or spin rugs or other heavy items in the washing machine.
The drying room is intended for drying lightweight textiles. Please do not dry rugs there.
Clean up after yourself and remove your laundry from the laundry room and drying room as soon as your booking ends. If the previous user has not collected their laundry in time, you may move it neatly to one side.
What should I do if a washing machine or another laundry appliance breaks down?
If you notice that a washing machine, tumble dryer, spin dryer, mangle or any other laundry appliance or piece of equipment is broken, please submit a fault report through OmaSATO.
Do not use a faulty machine and, if possible, place a note on it stating that it is out of order and that you have reported the issue to SATO. This will help keep your neighbours informed as well.