The Cuban user @yani.cubana99 shared a video on TikTok showing the process of doing laundry at her home amid power cuts and basic shortages that affect thousands of families on the island.
"Look, this is a washing machine like the ones you know, the usual ones. Here I started adding detergent to wash the first clothing I took out, my husband's uniform. Here, I have to rinse in two basins, my love, because there's no automatic washer. The automatic one is me," she recounts while filming the domestic process.
The blackout interrupts the routine: “The power went out and look at all this laundry I had piled up. Well, I guess I have to wait for the power to come back so I can light the charcoal because, you know, it’s time for lunch,” she adds, as she starts cooking a picadillo on a charcoal burner.
Several hours later, the electricity returns: “After several hours without power, they finally brought it back, and I was able to finish washing. Look at all the clothes I've been hanging.”
Among the comments, one person asked if charcoal was accessible. “Yes, more than liquefied gas. Charcoal costs 1,000 Cuban pesos,” the creator replied. In another exchange with a humorous tone, a user joked about bringing her dirty clothes, to which yani.cubana99 responded: “I’ll be waiting for you here; with the ash from the charcoal, they'll look spectacular.”
Everyday improvisation in Cuban households
This type of testimony adds to that of other Cubans who have documented how they wash their clothes amidst scarcity, blackouts, and a lack of modern appliances. In July, actor Androx Rodríguez starred in a homemade tutorial where he demonstrates how to wash using an old Soviet Aurika washer and abruptly ends his video due to a blackout. “Energy is neither created nor destroyed, we take it away,” he wrote at the end of his post.
A month ago, a family from Villa Clara revealed on TikTok how they make the most of the few hours of electricity to wash clothes with a Russian washing machine and rinse them in buckets. "We have very few hours of electricity," they mentioned while preparing coffee on a handmade stove made from recycled materials.
There have also been more extreme cases, such as that of a mother who had to go to a river to wash her daughter's clothes after running out of water and electricity in her home. "It was a bit dirty, but I was able to solve my problem," she said while wringing out the clothes and hanging them on a fence to dry in the sun.
A reflection of structural precariousness
These testimonies, recorded simply yet filled with reality, illustrate how a basic activity like doing laundry can turn into a daily odyssey in Cuba. Prolonged power outages, lack of running water, high gas prices, and the absence of washing machines force many families to resort to artisanal methods and constant improvisation.
As the authorities announce plans to restore the electrical system, the daily lives of millions of Cubans continue to be marked by uncertainty and the deterioration of essential services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Daily Life and Crisis in Cuba
How does the energy crisis in Cuba affect the daily lives of families?
The energy crisis in Cuba deeply affects the daily life of families, forcing them to constantly improvise due to prolonged blackouts. The lack of electricity disrupts basic activities such as washing clothes, cooking, and preserving food, turning everyday tasks into daily challenges that require ingenuity and resilience.
What methods do Cubans use to wash clothes without automatic washing machines?
In the absence of automatic washing machines, Cubans resort to artisanal methods to wash their clothes. They use old washing machines, such as the Soviet Aurika models, and rinse their clothes in buckets or basins. In extreme cases, some people are forced to wash in rivers when there is no access to running water or electricity. These methods reflect an ability to adapt in the face of resource scarcity.
What are the cooking alternatives in Cuba in light of the gas shortage?
In light of the gas shortage, many Cubans are turning to the use of charcoal for cooking. Charcoal stoves have become a common solution, although makeshift burners using firewood and other materials are also being employed. However, the use of charcoal and firewood raises environmental and health concerns due to the deforestation and air pollution they produce.
What is the impact of water shortages on the daily lives of Cubans?
The lack of water in Cuba represents a daily challenge that affects all household routines. Families are forced to buy water at high prices to meet basic needs such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning. This situation creates stress and makes it difficult to maintain personal and domestic hygiene, further worsening living conditions.
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