Laundry Blog
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A Hard Day’s Work On every Indian Wars Army post was an area called, variously, soapsuds row, suds row, or sudsville, where the company laundresses lived and worked. Most mornings would find these women preparing for their day’s work. Some might be struggling with heavy buckets of water to fill their large washtubs, while others…
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Yes, medieval people washed their clothes — and for once, the historical myths are real medieval facts. I love historical myth busting, and medieval myths are rarely true. But when it comes to laundry, the past really was as backbreaking, blister-inducing, and sudsy as you imagine. The history of doing laundry will make you deeply…
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Laundry is an integral part of human life, a task often underestimated in its significance yet essential to maintaining hygiene, culture, and societal structures. Beyond the simple act of cleaning clothes, laundry embodies historical, cultural, economic, and psychological dimensions that reflect humanity’s evolution and interconnectedness. This article explores the multifaceted role laundry plays in human…
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When I began minimizing my wardrobe, I didn’t expect the laundry to follow suit. I just wanted a simpler closet. What I didn’t realize was that by cutting back on clothing, I’d be cutting back on time, stress, and that ever-present sense that laundry was somehow running my life. Simplifying my wardrobe became one of…
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There was a time when a firefighter’s soot-stained jacket told a story. A badge of honor. Proof you’d been there—inside the smoke, inside the chaos, inside the heart of what it means to save someone else’s world. For generations, blackened gear meant experience, toughness, and pride. But as science caught up with tradition, that image…
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The Swastika Laundry, a once-thriving business, remains an interesting footnote in history. The company used an ancient symbol, but the Nazis later co-opted it. They operated out of Dublin, Ireland, and played a prominent role in the city’s social and economic fabric before the rise of fascism made its name and logo untenable. Origins and…
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In big cities, people could do their laundry in self-service laundromats, while on rivers and ponds in small villages you can still come across wooden platforms where people would wash their clothes. If you have ever been to a Russian village, you probably noticed wooden planks on rivers and lakes stretching out from the shore.…
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You might think wool dryer balls are a modern laundry hack, but their roots trace back to traditional textile practices. Originally crafted from felted wool, these balls weren’t just about efficiency; they represented a sustainable choice long before eco-consciousness was trendy. As you explore their journey from utility to innovation, you’ll find intriguing shifts in…
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Wash-a-teria, the first laundromat, (although it was not called by this name at the time of its invention), opened its doors in Fort Worth Texas, in 1934 by J.F. Cantrell. Four washing machines lined his store, with Cantrell charging by the hour for use of these precious devices. Quickly catching on, these laundry stores gained…
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I’m currently burning in hell and my only job is to do the Devil’s laundry. I don’t know why that’s the only task they’ve given me so far; I mean, sure, it’s not exactly “fun,” but there are certainly worse jobs down here, many of them involving hot oils. Here’s how it works: Every morning…
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In the challenging landscape of combat zones, the significance of efficient Laundry Units in maintaining the well-being and readiness of military personnel cannot be understated. These specialized units play a vital role in ensuring that uniforms remain pristine, reflecting the discipline and dedication of our forces. Every crease, every thread – a testament to the…
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From streaked boxers to blood-stained linens, you never know what — and whose — clothes you’ll get back. Prisoners do not have the luxury of going to a laundromat and handling our own clothes. Instead, we have a clothes exchange. We hand in our dirty clothes to be laundered and, in return, we receive clean…
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Echoes of the Forgotten When most people think of haunted locations, they imagine abandoned asylums, crumbling mansions, or battlefields where history left its scars. Rarely do people consider a laundry room—a place of routine, industry, and cleanliness—as a setting for paranormal activity. But at Indiana State Sanatorium, the laundry facilities have long been the site…
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Sometimes, I miss going to the laundromat. It provided a much-needed third space in an area that offers few of them. It also provided a place to think. Well, sometimes, anyway. Afternoon talk shows and sometimes the evening news played on the TV, and children often skidded around the washer and dryer banks, their screams…
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Two Methods that Really Work Laundry is always a hot topic – either you think you have the perfect method or you are desperately looking for a better or more efficient way to tackle the mountains of clothes that need to be washed, folded, and put away. I am always looking for the simplest and…
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Some days feel like crisis laundry management even without a big emergency. Every time our family experiences the flu or returns from a camping trip, my appreciation for a working washing machine is renewed. What would you do if you did not have enough water to use your washing machine? What if water was available,…
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Did you know, according to the World Health Organization, more than 264 million people worldwide suffer from depression? A staggering statistic underscores the urgent need for effective mental health treatments. There has been a growing interest in mindfulness and self-care practices to improve mental well-being in recent years. While activities like meditation, yoga, and journaling…
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Uncovered near the Vatican in Italy, 1,700-year-old laundry tubs and tiled floors were discovered by construction workers Construction workers in Italy recently came across the site of an ancient laundry near the Vatican, officials say. Italy’s Ministry of Culture announced the surprising findings in a press release on June 14. The discovery was made during…
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An average three-pound load of shirts, pants and socks sheds hundreds of thousands of microfibers into the sewer system, where they slip undetected past water chemical treatment plants and enter river and ocean ecosystems. Joaquim Goes, an ocean biochemist at Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, had to look twice when he first saw the…
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Most people today would lean towards environmentally friendly life choices, but not at the expense of being clean. When it comes to our washing habits, the fear of being perceived as dirty often wins out over the desire to act in an environmentally friendly way. And the more inclined we are to feel disgusted, the…
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Doing laundry is a boring chore, especially if you’re stuck doing it at a laundromat. Thankfully, to help pass the time, some laundromats now offer unique features and attractions that keep customers entertained — and coming back! LAUNDRETTE | HAMBURG, GERMANY A cafe and laundromat by day and a bar by night, Laundrette has two different…
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A Haunting Legacy of Abuse, Isolation, and Forced Labor The Magdalene Laundries stand as one of the darkest and most shameful chapters in Ireland’s history, a part of the country’s past that is difficult to fully grasp, but impossible to forget. For decades, thousands of women and girls were confined to these institutions, subjected to…
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For someone looking to purchase a new washing machine, the below washing machine buying tips can offer good information to help make the decision-making process easier. The size of the washing machine does matter. For a single person, a couple, or someone with very clean children, a washing machine with a smaller capacity of around…
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Ching Lee Laundry, the oldest Chinese-owned laundry in the United States, closed its doors Saturday after 140 years of continuous operations by the same family. On its final day of operations, a steady stream of the shop’s longtime customers, some who’ve been coming to Ching Lee (which translates to “victory” in Cantonese) for generations themselves,…
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Most people have had the unfortunate experience of not having a washer and dryer at some point. Apartments in my area tend to charge at least one hundred dollars extra for the units with washer and dryer hookups, and even more if you want a unit with an actual washer and dryer installed already. If…
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Find Out What Those Washing Symbols MeanYou know those hieroglyphic-like laundry symbols on clothing labels? They relay important cleaning information. Here’s what they mean and how to use them. A picture may be worth a thousand words—but sometimes it’s way more confusing than text. That’s especially true for the little symbols on your clothes’ care labels.…
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Bluing, Dolly Blue, and the Secret of Reckitt’s Blue Bags Before modern detergents and optical brighteners made whites gleam with minimal effort, there was a little laundry secret known as bluing. Yes, the mysterious blue bag you stirred into the final rinse water on washday. This wasn’t just for show—it was the trick to making…
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Once upon a time, before spin cycles and scented pods, the sound of laundry was the steady rhythm of fabric striking water — the echo of women’s voices along a riverbank, the slap of linen against stone, and the creak of a wooden bat as it beat out the week’s dirt. The metal washboard and…
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Bubbles whirl, swish, and spin in a long row of very large machines. Clothes spin round and round in huge, industrial dryers. With that as the backdrop, storytime is in full swing at laundromats across the country. The children and families who participate in story hours at their laundromat are part of a growing trend…
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Doing laundry is part of life — but it comes with a hefty environmental price tag.Washing and drying machines devour electricity, while many detergents are filled with toxic chemicals that harm both our health and the planet. The simplest green fix?👉 Wear clothes longer and wash less. When you do wash, go colder, shorter, and…
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If you’ve ever glanced at the ingredient list on your laundry detergent (assuming you could even find it), you probably noticed a lot of words that don’t exactly sound skin-friendly. Commercial detergents are loaded with harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and artificial dyes that can leave a residue on your clothes — and by extension, your…
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The History of Laundry: From Ancient Times to Modern-Day Innovations The history of laundry is a fascinating journey through time, highlighting the evolution of an essential chore from its earliest origins to the modern-day innovations we know today. Here we will explore the different methods and tools used throughout history to clean garments and linens,…
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Let’s be real — blood stains happen. Whether it’s a scraped knee, a kitchen mishap, or a surprise nosebleed, you’ll want to tackle it fast. The good news? Blood is easier to remove than it looks, especially when you act right away. Below are your step-by-step guides for both fresh and dried stains. 💧 How…
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If you don’t have a care label to guide you (because life happens), always start with the most delicate washing and drying method. You can always turn up the heat later — but you can’t unshrink a sweater. Once you’re ready to level up, follow these fiber-specific rules of thumb: Cotton: Hot, warm, or cool…
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Historical Use of Soap for Laundry Historically, standard soap was used when clothing was scrubbed by hand or washed in the river. During the times of the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, soap came from rendered animal fat and ashes. Lye would eventually become a popular soap product. Soap became the work of the devil during…
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There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly washed clothes straight out of the dryer. You’re ready to throw on your favorite jeans and top, expecting soft, clean perfection. Instead… ouch. The jeans are stiff, the top smells a bit off, and suddenly your “fresh” laundry feels more like a punishment. Chances are, you’re using…
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If regular detergent isn’t cutting it anymore, grab that bottle of white vinegar hiding in your pantry. This unassuming kitchen staple can brighten clothes, remove stains, neutralize odors, and even soften fabrics—all without the fancy packaging or steep price tag. It sounds like a miracle product (and it often is), but like any cleaning powerhouse,…
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Laundry and bedding may not feel glamorous, but in a healthcare facility they form a vital part of keeping patients and staff safe. According to the CDC’s guidelines, textiles in health-care settings include everything from bed sheets and blankets to patient gowns, uniforms, surgical drapes and more. CDC+1 Here’s the good news: while contaminated fabrics…
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In recent years, the mounting environmental crisis has brought the issue of plastic waste to the forefront of public consciousness. As we look for ways to reduce our plastic footprint, it is important to understand the recyclability of common plastic products, such as laundry detergent bottles. Are plastic laundry detergent bottles recyclable? The answer, as…
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