When you’re coming to South Korea to live
Here at 10 Magazine, we created for you a guide on How to use a Korean Laundry Machine!
Laundry Detergent and Softener
Before we go in any further details about how to use the laundry machine, you need to know what to buy in order to do your laundry. You can find those products in every Supermarket or Convenient Stores.
빨래비누 (Ppallaebinu) Laundry soap (bar)
가루비누 (Galubinu) Detergent (powder soap)
액체세제 (Aegcheseje) Detergent (liquid soap)
섬유유연제 (Seom-yuyuyeonje) Fabric softener
Laundry Detergent and Softener compartments
This part will depend on the model of your Laundry machine, but for models with a front-loading machine, you have a compartment at the top of the machine. And there is usually different compartments for the laundry detergent and softener. Just remember that the flower symbol is for the softener.
Laundry Machine Menu
Every model has his specific menu, but mainly you find the same modes. On the panel, you will find the temperature of the water, the spinning speed, optional options, steps of the cycle and the different modes of laundry.
전원 (jeon-won) Turn on/off
돈작 / 일시정지 (donjak / ilsijeongji) Start/Pause
Here is the panel that will indicate the remaining time and if the door is still locked or not. Under it here you can see that you can choose to reduce the time and to set a timer for your laundry.
시간단축 (sigandanchug) Time reduction
예약(yeyak) Timer
남은시간 (nam-eunsigan) Time remaining
시간 단축 (sigan danchug) Time reduction
버튼 잠김 (beoteun jamgim) Button locked
문 잠김 (mun jamgim) Door lock
Usually, besides the panel that indicates the remaining time, you will have another one that will indicate in which cycle you are!
예비세탁 (yebisetak) Preliminary washing
본세탁 (bonsetak) Main washing
헹굼 (heng-gum) Rinsing
탈수 (talsu) Spinning
배수안함 (baesuanham) Drainage
After turning on the machine, you will need to choose the what kind of laundry you want to do! Here is a list of modes that can appear on your washing machine.
급속웰빙 (geubsok-welbing) Rapid Laundry
울 (ul) Wool
손세탁 (sonsetak) Hand wash
란제리 (lanjeli) Lingerie
표준 (pyojun) Standard
절약삶음 (jeolyaksalmeum) Economical Washing
합섬 (habseom) Synthetic
헹굼 + 탈수 (heng-gum + talsu) Rinse + Spinning
배수 (baesu) Drainage
You can also find those modes:
이불 (ibul) Blankets/Bedding
침구류 (chimgulyu) Sheets/Linens
외투 (oetu) Overcoat
니트 (niteu) knitwear
After choosing the mode of laundry you will be able to customize it! On this model, you have different options for water temperatures.
Here is some vocabulary:
세탁온도(setak ondo) Washing Temperature
냉수 (naengsu) Cold water
온수 (onsu) Hot Water
After choosing the temperature of the water, you can also choose the spinning speed according to the clothes that you want to wash. For extra dry, choose 강 (gang) strong. For delicates, choose 약 (yak) weak.
탈수 (talsu) Spinning
강 (gang) Strong
중 (jung) Medium
약 (yak) Weak
탈수안함 (talsuanham) No spin-dry
배수안함 (baesuanham) Drainage
You may want to add an additional option to your laundry according to the mode that you chose.
추가선택 (chugaseontaek) Additional selection
예비세탁 (yebisetak) Pre-wash
헹굼추가 (heng-gumchuga) Additional Rinse
구김방지 (gugimbangji) Anti-rub
Now just put your laundry, add the detergent and softener, and start the machine! Good luck!