A Cuban mother, known on Instagram as Rachel (@rachelmolina_vlog_humor_reels), shared a reel with her daughter, demonstrating their innovative method of doing laundry using rainwater after enduring three months without a regular water supply to their home.
"Hello. If you're curious about how we manage laundry in Cuba after three months without water, stick around—this video is for you," Rachel says at the beginning of the clip.
In the video, the mother and daughter wash white socks and other garments by hand, using bar soap and rainwater they collected during a downpour. As they work, they chat, wring out the socks, and share laughter. They also gather more rainwater in additional containers for future use.
The video's creator clarifies that rainwater is "not suitable for drinking or bathing," but given the complete lack of supply, it's the only option available for washing clothes.
Rachel further explains that the video only captures a portion of the laundry she did that day: "This was the segment I managed to record because I had to hurry and finish the rest before the rain stopped."
It is estimated that over 3.1 million Cubans—about 30% of the population—experience either partial or complete water cuts. In Havana, those affected by these shortages increased from 200,000 in April to more than 500,000 by July, according to water specialists from Aguas de La Habana.
In August, a breakdown in the 78-inch pipeline of the South Basin left six municipalities in the capital without water.
Outside the capital, the situation remains dire. In Holguín, there are communities that have gone over five months without a drop of water from the supply networks. In Guantánamo, distribution cycles extend to 25 days, and in Ciego de Ávila, reports indicate up to 36 days without water.
The crisis is rooted in structural issues: an aging water infrastructure, decades of underinvestment, and an almost total reliance on electric pumps for water distribution—around 87% of the system depends on electricity—making it extremely susceptible to the chronic blackouts that plague the island.
Understanding Cuba's Water Shortage Crisis
Why is rainwater used for laundry in Cuba?
Due to prolonged water shortages, many Cubans resort to using rainwater for laundry as it's often the only available source despite being unsuitable for drinking or bathing.
What are the main causes of the water crisis in Cuba?
The water crisis in Cuba is primarily due to outdated infrastructure, years of insufficient investment, and a heavy reliance on electricity for distribution, which is vulnerable to frequent power outages.
How widespread are water shortages in Cuba?
Water shortages affect over 3.1 million Cubans, or roughly 30% of the population, with both urban and rural areas experiencing significant disruptions in water supply.