Japanese Decoded: Washing Machines & Dryers

Know the right buttons!

Whether you own a separate washer and dryer, a combined unit, or just a washing machine, doing laundry can be a challenge, especially in Japan. Japanese washing machines often have controls and settings labeled only in Japanese, making them tricky for newcomers to master.

To help you navigate these appliances with confidence and get your laundry done right the first time, here’s a handy list of common terms and characters you’ll find on Japanese washing machines.

Washing Machine

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Washing Modes

Water

Dryers & Washer/Dryer Combo

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Maintenance & Special Functions

Controls & Safety

Laundry Products For Your Japanese Washing Machine

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Choosing the right laundry products can make all the difference when using Japanese washing machines, especially if you’re navigating the language barrier.

Common Laundry Product Terms

The Most Popular Laundry Products

From powerful detergents to fabric softeners designed for Japan’s humid climate, these are some of the most popular and effective options:

1. アタックZERO (Attack ZERO): A concentrated liquid detergent from Kao that removes stubborn stains even in cold water. Eco-friendly refill packs and a nozzle for direct application make it perfect for small apartments.
2. トップ スーパーNANOX (Top Super NANOX): Lion’s ultra-compact detergent designed for short cycles. It penetrates deep into fibers, saving both water and time without sacrificing cleanliness.
3. レノア ハピネス アロマジュエル (Lenor Happiness Aroma Jewel): In-wash fragrance beads from P&G that leave clothes, towels, and bedding smelling fresh for days. A great way to combat the musty odors of Japan’s humid summers.
4. ソフラン プレミアム消臭 (Soflan Premium Deodorizer): This fabric softener neutralizes odors rather than masking them, making it a top choice for sports gear, uniforms, and laundry dried indoors during tsuyu (rainy season).
5. ニュービーズ すずらんの香り(New Beads Suzuran no Kaori): A gentle, floral-scented detergent suitable for sensitive skin and children’s clothes. Soft on fabrics while still providing a fresh, clean finish.

An Example Of Running A Washing Cycle

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Choose Your Washing Mode

• For everyday laundry, press 標準 (hyōjun; “Standard”).
• If you’re in a hurry, select お急ぎ (oisogi; “Fast”).

Adjust the Water Settings

• Select 水量 (suiryō; “Water volume”) to set how much water to use.
• For temperature, choose 冷水 (reisui; “Cold water”) or 温水 (onsui; “Warm water”).

Add Laundry Products

• Pour 洗剤 (senzai; “Detergent”) into the main compartment.
• If needed, add 柔軟剤 (nyūnanzai; “Fabric softener”) in the softener compartment.
• For white items, you might also add 漂白剤 (hyōhaku-zai; “Bleach”).

Start the Cycle

• Press 洗濯/洗い (sentaku/arai; “Wash”) to begin.
• The machine will automatically move through すすぎ (susugi; “Rinse”) and 脱水 (dassui; “Spin dry”) stages.

Pause if Needed

• To stop mid-cycle, press 一時停止 (ichiji teishi; “Pause”). This is handy if you forgot to add a sock.

Optional Drying

• If your machine has a dryer function, switch to 乾燥のみ (kansō nomi; “Dry only”) or use 洗・乾切替 (arai・inui kirikae; “Switch between washing/drying”).

Cycle Complete

• Once the cycle ends, open the door and remove your clean laundry.

If we’ve missed any confusing or important buttons or terms, leave us a comment. We hope that with these decoded buttons, you can finally have a nice, clean set of clothes that have been washed with the right settings!

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