How to do laundry

Ever since clothing was commonly worn by ancestral humans, washing it has been a chore. Sure, maybe our Neanderthals and Cro-magnon ancestors may not have been concerned with radiant whites, but in more modern times doing the laundry became much more common. Before the industrial revolution, means of washing clothes included beating, slapping, or otherwise agitating dirt out of clothing, usually in the presence of water.

But if you're like me, you probably use a modern washing machine to do your dirty work, and even if you've never operated one before, you'll (hopefully) be an expert by the time you're done reading.

Step 1 Materials

Alright, so you've got some clothes that need washing, so where do you start? Well, you have several options depending on weather or not you own a washing machine and dryer or not. This 'Ible covers a home washer/dryer set, but If i get enough requests I can put out the extra effort and do one for a laundromat.

Now, you'll need several things before you start doing your laundry:

• Detergent
• Dirty clothes (of course)
• Bleach (for doing whites)
• Fabric softener (optional)

Types and brands of the above are personal preference, so you can buy whatever tickles your fancy.

As of right now, my options for the above are limited to simple detergent, being as I'm on vacation at the moment, and didn't bring bleach or fabric softener along.

Comments

[Labot2001]

Dang! I was gonna do a laundry 'ible! ;-P Nicely done! 4/5 stars.

[lawizeg]

Me too! I'm still gonna do mine though.

[Firebert010]

Sorry, I just had to snag the easy t-shirt while I still had the opportunity =P

[Lithium Rain]

No t-shirt for this contest! Just a patch and a bumper sticker!

[explosivemaker]

....how to fold a tshirt....

LINKY

[caitlinsdad]

It is easy enough to dump your clothes in with detergent and let it rip...but you need the warnings to

• shake out clothes before washing like inside out sleeves or socks
• remove excess dirt/sand/mud
• check for colors that bleed the dye
• don't use hot water for things that will shrink
• check pockets for money/loose change
• check pockets for lint producers like a forgotten tissue or napkin
• separate delicates or put in a pillow case/bag
• don't go nuts on adding too much detergent
• don't cook your clothes too long, you can fry your fleeces/synthetics
• don't go for a ride in the washer or dryer unless performing centrifuge experiments
• don't defeat the safety to open and watch the waves

[Firebert010]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll amend immediately.

[SurferGeek]

I might add:: - An unbalanced spin cycle can also double as a aphrodisiac. ;)

[Derin]

?

[bumpus]

What about separation of colors? hehe, very well done

[caitlinsdad]

Doesn't everyone wear pink underwear?

[bumpus]

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