How to Use a Costa Rican Washing Machine

Costa Rica     Destinations
If it looks like there's a lot going on here, it's because there is. This is not a push-a-button-and-walk-away kind of machine. Actually this shows a now-typical Costa Rican machine, and old traditional type (sink), and a new automatic WITH a dryer!!
If it looks like there's a lot going on here, it's because there is. This is not a push-a-button-and-walk-away kind of machine. Actually this shows a now-typical Costa Rican machine, and old traditional type (sink), and a new automatic WITH a dryer!!
What is this contraption? Learn the manual steps for becoming an expert at doing laundry in Costa Rica.
For some reason I am always fascinated by the differences in how people do laundry around the world. I mean laundry isn’t usually very exciting. Well, it can be when you’re been backpacking with dirty clothes for a while! And having a machine instead of hand washing is an extra treat. As a budget traveler, you learn to do your own laundry rather than send it out so you really experience a lot of different ways to wash. See How to Wash Your Clothes While Traveling.

My first experience with a Costa Rican washing machine left me very confused. It's sort of a manual version of a typical western machine where you have to turn the water on and off and move the clothes from one side of the machine to the other.

Thank god for the gal that worked at my AirBnB who helped me with the many steps involved to get a load of laundry done. She's gone now so today I was on my own. I honestly couldn't remember everything she told me; fill the water first, then clothes, then run it, then somehow rinse/spin, flip this dial, slide that over. Ah, what's this?! An instruction sheet - woohoo!

The Basics

In short, it's a 2-sided machine. The left side is to fill up with water and wash the clothes. Then you move the clothes to the other side and have the water go into that side to rinse and then spin. You have to manually do all the steps including turning off the water at the correct time on both sides of the machine.
I used different timing than they did but I otherwise followed these instructions.
I used different timing than they did but I otherwise followed these instructions.
Here's an overview. Two-sided machine, water coming from the wall in the red hose, green drain pipe along the ground, and clotheslines outside.
Here's an overview. Two-sided machine, water coming from the wall in the red hose, green drain pipe along the ground, and clotheslines outside.
Here are all the dials and sliders and spigots.
Here are all the dials and sliders and spigots.
Let it be known that throwing the term Rinse in where it doesn't belong on the dials makes it a little misleading. The left side it to wash. The right side is to rinse and spin.

Step 1: Fill the Water

Make sure the Drain Selector dial is set to Wash and not Drain, make sure the Water Supply Selector (which basin the water will fill) is slid over to the left for the Wash and not Rinse basin, turn on the water source (in my case a regular hose spigot on the wall with a hose going into the machine).

You need to manually stop the water when it's full enough for your load of clothes. I put the soap in, let the water run for a little bit to dissolve the powdered soap, then put my clothes in and turn the water off once they're submerged.
The water is filling up getting ready to wash.
The water is filling up getting ready to wash.
If you forget your water is on (because you are used to a machine where you turn it on and walk away), trust me that it has an overflow and the extra water will drain out the regular drain. Turn off the water source, turn the Drain dial to Drain for a few seconds to lower the level, add more soap since you just sent all your soap out to pasture with the wasted water, and continue with the next step.
Oops. I totally forgot I was filling the basin back up to wash my second load while I was hanging my first load up to dry!
Oops. I totally forgot I was filling the basin back up to wash my second load while I was hanging my first load up to dry!
The plants sure don't seem to mind the soap! LOL Here's the drain.
The plants sure don't seem to mind the soap! LOL Here's the drain.

Step 2: Wash

Now you're ready to wash. Select the type of Wash Program (Gentle, Normal, or Strong) and turn the Wash Timer dial. I use 12 minutes. On it goes! It gets some pretty decent agitation going. Wait until the time runs out.
Woosh - it gets some pretty good action. My clothes turn out really clean. :)
Woosh - it gets some pretty good action. My clothes turn out really clean. :)

Step 3: Drain and Move

Set the Drain Selector dial to Drain and the water will drain out of the wash basin pretty quickly. You don't need to wait for it though. Move your wet soapy clothes over to the right side. The small side. If you have to do more than one rinse / spin batch, so be it. It only takes a few minutes.

Open both lids on the right and pull out the semi-floppy protector cover. Put your clothes in and don't stuff it too full. Put the semi-floppy protector thingy inside and on top of your clothes.
All washed and sitting in cold soapy dirty water.
All washed and sitting in cold soapy dirty water.
Moving your clothes after the yucky water drains out is a little better.
Moving your clothes after the yucky water drains out is a little better.
This is the rinse / spin side.
This is the rinse / spin side.
My first load all fit in the spinner in one go.
My first load all fit in the spinner in one go.

Step 4: Rinse and Spin

Slide the Water Supply Selector over to the right for the Rinse basin, turn on the water source (the same water spigot). Close the lids and set the Spin Timer for 5 minutes. After 2 minutes, turn off the water. That was your rinse cycle. Let it continue for the rest of the Spin Time and that's your spin cycle. :)
You can just leave some of your clothes in the wash side if you need to do more than one rinse / spin cycle.
You can just leave some of your clothes in the wash side if you need to do more than one rinse / spin cycle.
The rinse cycle. It spins while water runs into it.
The rinse cycle. It spins while water runs into it.

Step 5: Hang to Dry

You're done! Well, almost. Now you have to hang it all up. Hang your clothes upside down and inside out so as not to get clothespin lumps and not to fade your clothes. And hope it doesn't rain. ;)
All done and ready to hang dry.
All done and ready to hang dry.

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Sheets Laundry Club Laundry Detergent Sheets

Sheets Laundry Club Laundry Detergent Sheets

Next on my list to try. If a whole sheet is for a full load, you can cut them up for sink wash. Pack a few in a zip-loc and you've got easy laundry taken care of. I looked at a lot of reviews and this brand seems good overall.

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