Nearly all apartments come equipped with a washing machine, but dryers are rare so most Beijingers air-dry clothes. If you want the warmth and convenience of a dryer, most appliance stores sell domestic and international models. Check that you can drill a hole in your wall for the ventilation tube required. Alternatively, you can indulge in local dry cleaning and laundry services. Individual apartment buildings do not usually come with launderettes, but laundry services are available at most serviced apartments. If you are not in a serviced apartment, chances are there is a laundry nearby. Look for the sign marked xi yi. Small family laundry services vary in quality, so do a trial run with inexpensive clothing first. As with franchises, these smaller operations charge by the item. Services include ironing and next day pick-up is standard. Typical prices are ¥5 for shirts and trousers, suits and jumpers for ¥8, and coats for ¥20 to ¥50.

Fornet (010 6417 7767, www.fornet.com.cn) and Gold Water (010 6463 9411) are reliable franchises with several branches around town. Fornet’s pricing scheme does not differentiate between regular laundry and dry cleaning; ¥12 for shirts and trousers, ¥18 for jackets and sweaters, ¥36 to ¥56 for coats and dresses, and ¥56 to ¥80 for quilts and blankets. Gold Water’s dry cleaning services cost ¥18 for suits, ¥24 for trousers, ¥28 for jackets, and ¥45 to ¥55 for coats. Its regular laundry charges are slightly cheaper. Prices for both chains include ironing and pressing. In the case of Fornet, prices include delivery services.