Learn Hardcore Greek: Βάζω πλυντήριο τώρα, οπότε μην με πάρεις τηλέφωνο. - I’m doing laundry now, so please don’t call me.

In everyday Greek, βάζω πλυντήριο is an idiomatic expression meaning I’m putting a wash on / I’m starting the washing machine (i.e., starting a laundry cycle).
Greek often uses βάζω (to put/start) with appliances or processes: βάζω πλυντήριο, βάζω πιάτα στο πλυντήριο, βάζω φούρνο (turn the oven on / put something in the oven), etc.

Shouldn’t there be an article, like βάζω το πλυντήριο?

Both exist, but they can feel slightly different:

Βάζω πλυντήριο (no article) = very common, casual, focusing on the activity (doing laundry / putting a wash on).
Βάζω το πλυντήριο = can sound more specific, like I’m turning on *the washing machine / I’m loading the machine* (the specific machine in the house).

Omitting the article is especially common in fixed, routine-activity expressions.

Why is it Βάζω (present tense) if it’s happening right now?

Greek uses the present tense for actions in progress or actions being initiated now, just like English: Βάζω πλυντήριο τώρα = I’m putting on a wash now / I’m starting the wash now.
It’s not “habitual” here because τώρα anchors it to the present moment.

What’s the role of τώρα in the sentence?