Tvättiden

Tvättiden is the allocated time slot for doing laundry in a shared facility, typically located in apartment buildings, housing cooperatives, or student residences in Sweden and other Nordic countries. The term combines tvätta (to wash) and tid (time).

How it works: Most properties use a booking system to allocate blocks of time for operating washing machines and dryers. Slots usually last 30–60 minutes per cycle, sometimes longer for larger machines. Bookings are made via a physical board, a keypad, or an online app. Some facilities use a rotating schedule or allow multiple slots per person per week.

Facilities: A tvättstuga or laundry room contains several machines and sometimes ironing boards. Residents prepare detergents beforehand; during a slot they load, start, and, when finished, promptly move items to free machines for others. It is common to leave the room clean and to report faults.

Costs and access: Costs may be included in rent or charged per cycle. Payment methods vary from coins to card readers or mobile apps. Many buildings impose rules to prevent monopolizing equipment, such as a maximum number of cycles per week per household or limits on continuous use.

Etiquette and policy: Respect others by keeping noise low, removing lint, and not leaving clothes in machines when time expires. If a machine fails, report it to building management; if a slot is unused, release it for others if possible.

Variations: In older buildings, a waiting or first-come approach might apply; in newer properties, digital booking is common. The concept is similar to laundries in many countries, but the term tvättiden is particularly common in Swedish-speaking housing contexts.