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How Do You Feel About Laundry?
I was snuggling with a friend’s cat, and though it felt good at the time, my navy sweater ended up covered in fur. I thought about washing it, and looked at the label. Illustration from Aaron Gillies
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I check the tags of everything before I buy it. “Hand wash only” and “dry clean only” are no-go zones for me. And usually, that’s sufficient to keep me from hating my laundry.
But…..
Two days ago, the knob broke on my dryer. And it wasn’t a thing where the knob comes off and I can still use it by using pliers on the metal thing that the knob is suppose to be attached to. No, that would be too easy. Instead, that metal thing fell back into the back part of the machine. And the repairman can’t get to me until Tuesday. Which is in March – you know, next **month**. I’d call someone else, but it’s under warranty and I don’t want to pay for the repair.
Good luck with the dryer, Stacey. So glad it’s still under warranty.
I used to be TERRIFIED of laundry labels and a faithful user of my local dry-cleaner. And THEN they went out of business. The next nearest dry cleaner was a 70 mile drive from my home. Enter The Laundress: http://www.thelaundress.com/asklaundress/
The clips of Gwen (or Lindsay?) gleefully tossing her vintage Chanel coat into the washing machine convinced me to give it a start. I started small, and WOW, it was empowering. Cleaner clothes! Fewer fumes! Salvaged heirloom linens! I bought a Jiffy 2000 steamer, Wool&Cashmere shampoo, some Stain solution and I haven’t looked back! I’ve since relocated to a populated area with more than one dry-cleaning option, but still haven’t been to a cleaners for YEARS.
You’re inspiring me, Ehm.
Laundry day is my day of zen. I walk back and forth to the mat with my cart full of carefully sorted items and my coin purse, of the Hello Kitty kind that I’ve used since I was first in college, full of quarters. I love folding laundry on the giant tables. It is silly sounding but just a simple chore brings a smile to my face.
Putting it all away is an entirely different conversation. Ask my closet.
Putting clothes away is like filing to me. I’m not a fan of either.
Everything gets thrown in the washer/dryer no matter what the label says. I don’t mind laundering clothes because it’s a set it and forget it proposition. The part I hate is folding and putting the damn clothes away. As if!! More often than not I just cycle them between two baskets, clean and dirty.
We seems like we have consensus on the putting clothes away part. I have a friend who used to work in retail, and when he folds his clean clothes, they’re perfect. I’m not very good at it.
I hate laundry. I’m with Stacey and never by handwash/dry clean only stuff. I can’t deal with that.
If I had an in-unit washer and dryer it would be easier b/c I could do laundry in my jammies. I hate to dress if I don’t have to.
I am however, pretty anal about folding and putting laundry away as soon as it’s done. I don’t know where I got this from since the rest of my family does not care.
It’s a luxury to do laundry in house. I’m grateful for it.
I too struggle with the putting-it-all-away, but I actually don’t mind the washing/drying/folding. Something about wresting chaos into order is very satisfying.
Ok, true confessions: I find that slow, careful attention to laundry can actually be soothing in the same way that cooking a slow, elaborate meal can be soothing. When weather permits, I sometimes take the time to do sheets the way my grandmother did: washed in hot water, dried on a line in the sunshine, and then — so help me — ironed. I know it sounds crazy, but those are the softest, freshest sheets. And this is one of the benefits of my single state: I don’t have anybody looking at me like I’ve lost my mind for ironing pillowcases… except maybe you all now!
This is a delightful confession! I don’t own an iron, but it would be great to have ironed sheets.
I, too, avoid “special” laundry items. But otherwise, I rather enjoy doing my laundry and hanging it to dry (inside on a rack in winter, outside in the sun in summer, on a collapsible umbrella clotheline that I love and am so grateful to be able to do).
That said – I would detest laundry if I was doing for others (husband, children, etc); I would be bitter and resentful about the task.
I like to take care of my clothes because I detest shopping, so I guess it feels like a “taking care of me” task for myself, but a thankless task if I had to do it for others, assuming they don’t take the same care with their belongings. Wild assumptions on my part.
It’s hard for me to imagine doing someone else’s laundry. But then again, before I had a dog, I didn’t think I could pick up poop.
Oh, that’s so true – but I’d still only pick up my dog’s; any other dog’s is just *gross*! 😉
Exactly right, Kathy!
I agree with you all about the putting away of the clothes, it’s somehow aggravating! I don’t mind washing sweaters and such by hand, though. I use a blue plastic bucket and Soak or Wrapture. No swishing around, no rinsing, and heavenly scents: just let sit for fifteen or so minutes, roll in a towel or send through a spin cycle for those with fancy washers. Fancy tee shirts? Fancier longer. Soak and Wrapture you will find in yarn shops in bergamot, jasmine, eucalyptus. Celebration is my favorite!
Never heard of these. I’ll have to investigate.
First I’ve heard of these products. Also need to check out. Thanks!