The Laundry Club Blog

Between soap and sorrow lie the stories we’d rather not wash.
Ghosts, folklore, history—the beautiful residue of living.
Sit down, stay awhile. It’s always wash day here.

Spinning tales one load at a time. Never fold on your dreams.

    • The Elf Who Shrunk Christmas: A Laundry Club Holiday Tale

      There are many things the North Pole worries about as Christmas draws near — reindeer carb-loading schedules, sleigh aerodynamics, wrapping-Paper-to-Tape ratios, and peppermint cocoa shortages (a catastrophic event that once sent the elves into a minor but memorable uprising). But if there’s one thing absolutely no one ever thinks about,…

    • Spin Cycle Economics: Red, Blue, and the Cost of Clean Clothes

      For most people, the “economy” shows up in the smallest, most ordinary parts of daily life: the grocery receipt, the light bill, the price of a gallon of milk, the cost of a jug of detergent, and the quarters fed into a laundromat machine. Laundry is one of the most…

    • Claws, Chaos, and Laundry: A Krampus Tale

      Long before peppermint lattes, inflatable yard reindeer, and online shopping took over December, there was a different kind of holiday anticipation — the kind that made Alpine children double- and triple-check their behavior. Because in the snow-covered villages of Germany, Austria, Bavaria, and the sloping valleys of the Alps, December…

    • Laundry at the North Pole: The 12 Loads of Christmas

      “Before the sleigh bells ring, the washers sing. Discover the unseen work that keeps Christmas spotless — one load at a time.” Where detergent meets Christmas magic — and someone finally washes Santa’s drawers. Ever wonder who scrubs Santa’s suit? Take a trip inside the Polar Wash House in The…

    • The Textile Graveyard: What Happens to Clothes That Can’t Be Cleaned or Sold

      A Special Halloween Feature by The Laundry Club Blog Somewhere beyond the thrift store bins and donation drives, past the charity warehouses and recycling depots, there’s a place where the clothes go to die. They arrive by container ship and cargo plane, bundled in plastic like mummies — the rejected,…

    • When the Waves Want Your Socks — and Maybe Your Ship Too

      The Kraken’s Washday: Surviving the Spin Cycle at 10,000 Leagues Imagine the swell of the ocean, the hum of the ship’s engine, and the low groan of steel as it cuts through salt-sprayed waves. Now add the surprisingly mundane: the clank of a metal tub, the whoosh of seawater, and…

    • The Cost of Clean: How an Unraveling Economy Hits the Wash Cycle

      Over the past year, the economic landscape has shifted in ways that many didn’t see coming — and that shift is finding its way into unexpected corners of life, including the hum of a washing machine and the clink of quarters in a laundromat dispenser. For those of us who…

    • When the Laundry Piles Up

      It’s been a while since I’ve written here at The Laundry Club. I’ve missed this little corner of the internet—and I’ve missed you, whether that’s a whole crowd of readers or just the echo of my own words. Life has been loud lately. Projects, dreams, goals—they’ve been tugging me in…

    • Sticker Shock at the Spin: What a 100% Tariff Means

      Most of us don’t think about international trade when we’re folding towels. The dryer hums, the lint trap fills, and life goes on. But what happens when the next load comes with a side of global economics? The U.S. has been floating the idea of a 100% tariff on imports…

    • Why I Write About Laundry

      I didn’t start writing about laundry because I thought it was chic or glamorous. Or because I felt the world needed another tutorial on separating reds from whites. I started writing about laundry because I didn’t know what else to do. “Back in the day”, I had a dream: my…

    • Lavoirs: The History of French Wash-houses

      France’s Public Washhouses and the Heartbeat of Village Life Laundry is never just about clothes. It’s about people, ritual, and the rhythms of daily life. In 18th- and 19th-century France, laundry wasn’t tucked away in a basement machine or folded quickly in front of the TV—it was out in the…

    • Laundry in the Shanghai Ghetto: Threads of Survival

      When I think of laundry, I often think of the ordinary—the hum of machines, the smell of detergent, the comfort of warm towels. But laundry also shows up in extraordinary places. It becomes a witness to history, a thread connecting human struggle with human resilience. During the Second World War,…

    • The Laundry We Do For Love

      There are love letters we write on paper, sealed with ink, perfume, and the trembling urgency of our hands. And then there are the love letters we never realize we’re writing—the ones etched into the fabric of everyday life. These are the shirts that carry the scent of someone’s skin,…

    • Laundry Etiquette: Unspoken Rules

      Laundry is one of those universal experiences that unites humans across age, culture, and geography. Whether you’re a college student cramming laundry between classes, an apartment dweller sharing machines with neighbors, or a laundromat regular juggling multiple loads, shared laundry spaces bring out both our best and worst behavior. And…

    • Sun, Natron, and Linen: Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Laundry

      When most people think of ancient Egypt, images of pyramids, pharaohs, and elaborate tombs come to mind. Rarely do we consider the everyday lives of the people who lived along the Nile—what they wore, how they cared for their clothing, or the art of laundry that kept them looking presentable…

    • Hanging Hope in the Rubble: Laundry in Gaza

      Laundry has always been more than soap, water, and fabric. It’s about dignity, rhythm, and the reassurance of clean clothes against our skin. But what happens when that basic act of care—of washing away yesterday to face tomorrow—becomes nearly impossible? In Gaza, families are drying their laundry among ruins. Shirts…

    • The Rise of Subscription Laundry Services

      In today’s fast-paced world, where time is a precious commodity, the traditional chore of laundry has undergone a significant transformation. Subscription-based laundry services, powered by advanced technology, are revolutionizing the way we approach this everyday task. This article delves into the evolution, benefits, technological advancements, challenges, and future prospects of…

    • The Pope’s Laundry: Washing Away More Than Dirt in Rome

      In the heart of Rome, just a few streets away from the Vatican, a quiet revolution in cleanliness has begun. No quarters, no coins, no tokens required—just the simple promise of clean clothes. Welcome to the Pope Francis Laundry, or Lavanderia di Papa Francesco, a laundromat opened by His Holiness…

    • Teach Em’ Young: Why Kids Should Learn Laundry Early

      Life skill. Confidence builder. Mental health booster. Teaching laundry early does all three. Parents often tell me, “I’ll just do it—showing them will take longer.” In the short term, you’re right. In the long term, giving your child regular, age-appropriate laundry jobs pays off in independence, smoother teen years, and…

    • The First Lady of Laundry: Abigail Adams’ Ghostly Chores

      When we picture First Ladies, we often imagine them in elegant gowns, hosting dignitaries, or delivering speeches on education or health. Rarely do we think of them hanging damp underclothes across the East Room of the White House. But one woman — America’s second First Lady, Abigail Adams — is…

    • Toxic Suds: The Hidden Hormone Disruptors Lurking in Your Laundry

      When we toss our clothes into the wash, we imagine we’re ridding them of dirt, germs, and whatever chaos the day threw our way. But what if that fresh scent you associate with “clean” is actually masking something far more sinister? Laundry detergents, particularly conventional and heavily fragranced ones, can…

    • Vincent Van Gogh and the Art of Dirty Laundry

      You may know Vincent van Gogh for sunflowers, starry skies, and a tragic ear incident. But did you know he spent years sketching laundry scenes—boats laden with linens, washerwomen stooping by canals? Intrigued? So was I. It raises an oddly fascinating question: what were Van Gogh’s own laundry habits? Did…

    • Ritual Rinse: Laundry as Spiritual Cleansing in Hoodoo

      In the tradition of Hoodoo and Southern conjure practices, laundry has historically occupied a role far more complex than that of routine household maintenance. Within the cultural frameworks of African American folk magic, laundering clothes became an extension of spiritual work—an act of physical cleansing that simultaneously addressed the unseen…

    • Washed Away: When Laundry Becomes a Front for Human Trafficking

      Human trafficking is not a new crime—it’s just had many names over time. From indentured servitude and peonage in the 19th century, to “domestic service” arrangements that trapped women and children in hidden labor, trafficking has long relied on the anonymity of certain spaces: farms, factories, restaurants, massage parlors—and yes,…

    • Twisted Knickers: Knot Magic in Germanic Laundry Lore

      What if every knot in your laundry wasn’t just a nuisance—but a spell? In the folds of old Germanic folk tradition lies a sensual, secret magic—knot binding—a ritual practice where emotions, fate, and desire were tied, quite literally, into fabric. Underwear wasn’t just a place for elastic and lace—it was…

    • The World’s Weirdest Laundry Laws

      Laundry may seem like one of the most ordinary routines in modern life, but in some corners of the world, the act of washing and drying clothes is tangled up in a web of legal oddities. From aesthetic concerns and religious customs to noise ordinances and gender roles, lawmakers across…

    • Mothman Is Real and He’s in Your Closet

      There’s a winged menace lurking in your wardrobe. No, not that shirt from 2012. We’re talking about something truly sinister—something with tiny wings, a hunger for wool, and absolutely no respect for vintage knitwear. That’s right: moths. Not the poetic, fluttery kind you see bumping into porch lights. We’re talking…

    • Coin Shortage in America : Hitting Laundromats Hard

      Remember 2020? The world went on pause, toilet paper became a currency, and banana bread had a full-blown renaissance. But tucked away beneath the sourdough starters and Zoom fatigue was another, lesser-known pandemic casualty: the American quarter. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Mint did what many…

    • Laundry of the Damned: How Cults Use Washing as Control

      When Laundry Becomes Doctrine Laundry is often associated with care, cleanliness, and domestic stability. But in certain extremist religious sects and psychological cults, washing clothes—or being forced to wash the clothes of others—transcends routine and becomes a tool of domination. Across history and into modern times, cult leaders have imposed…

    • Hexed in the Wash: Russia’s Dirty Laundry and the Curse Within

      What if your underwear could curse you? No, this isn’t the plot of a horror-comedy. In old Russia, it was whispered that the most personal pieces of clothing—undergarments, headscarves, socks still warm from the body—could become weapons of dark intent. A garment, once steeped in your sweat, scent, and soul,…

    • Vampires Hate Bleach: Secret History of Laundry in Gothic Lore

      “The blood must be scrubbed, but never spoken of.” That might as well be the tagline of every gothic novel ever written. When it comes to vampire fiction and gothic literature, certain symbols repeat like clockwork: castles, ravens, candlelight… and blood-stained linens. But behind the velvet curtains and moonlit manors…

    • Lethal Linens: The Secret History of Poisoned Uniforms in WWII

      In the shadows of World War II, where battles raged not just on the front lines but in back alleys, bunkers, and barracks, the humble laundry took on a role far darker than anyone could have imagined. Amid the countless covert operations carried out by Allied forces, one of the…

    • Gazans Wash Clothes & Bathe In Seawater

      When the Sea Becomes the Sink: Gaza’s Water Crisis Continues In southern Gaza, families have been forced to wash clothes and dishes in seawater as clean water simply runs out. As of the original report in October 2024, the situation was already dire. Since then, it has only deepened —…

    • CSI: Laundry — What a Washing Machine Can Really Reveal

      When you toss your clothes into the washing machine, you probably think you’re wiping the slate clean. But for forensic scientists, detectives, and criminal profilers, the laundry room isn’t where the story ends — it’s often where it begins. Welcome to CSI: Laundry, where a crusty sock or a pile…

    • Death by Laundry

      It sounds like the setup for a dark comedy or a twisted Agatha Christie plot: death by laundry. But across history and into modern times, laundry—mundane, necessary, and often overlooked—has played a grim role in many real-life tragedies. From deadly industrial dryers to poison-laced garments, the world of laundry holds…

    • Japanese Sentaku Culture: Laundry is an Art

      There’s a quiet poetry to laundry in Japan. It’s not just a domestic task—it’s a cultural ritual, a design choice, a seasonal celebration, and in many ways, a form of personal expression. In the West, laundry is often shoved into dryers behind closed doors, hidden from sight and rushed through…

    • Blood, Sweat, and Linen: Wartime Laundry Practices

      Welcome back to The Laundry Club Blog, where we don’t just hang up the linens—we dig deep into their stories. Today, we’re wringing out a history soaked in sacrifice, resilience, and the invisible hands that scrubbed the stains of war. This is the tale of blood, sweat, and linen—laundry during…

    • The Great Underwear Debate: Fold, Roll, or Fling?

      A cheeky exposé on intimate organization, laundry habits, and the bizarre tribalism surrounding underthings. There are few things in life more polarizing than pineapple on pizza, cats vs. dogs, or whether you should text back “haha” or “lol.” But hidden deep in your dresser drawer lies a lesser-known domestic battlefield:…

    • When the Laundry Floats: Rusalki Water Spirits Folklore

      Rusalka by Ivan Bilibin, 1934 We’ve scrubbed our way through the centuries—dabbling in Korean dadeumi, Islamic ghusl, and even laundry superstitions—and now it’s time to plunge headfirst into the deep, dark, haunted waters of Slavic mythology. This week at The Laundry Club Blog, we’re hanging our delicates out under moonlight…

    • Dadeumi: The Korean Laundry Art You’ve Never Heard Of

      Dadeumi: The Korean Laundry Art You’ve Never Heard Of (But Will Love) By The Laundry Club Blog Before there were steam irons, wrinkle-release sprays, and dryer sheets scented like dreamsicle gardens, there was dadeumi (다듬이)—a rhythmic, meditative, and powerful Korean tradition of ironing fabric with wooden mallets. Yes, you read…

    • Undercover Laundry

      “Not every sock that vanishes is lost. Some are just classified.” Espionage and Secret Codes Because sometimes, the dirtiest laundry is international intrigue. Let’s be honest—when you think of laundry, you probably don’t imagine international espionage, war-time resistance, or Cold War tactics. You think of detergent, dryer sheets, and maybe…

    • The Life Cycle of Plastic Laundry Containers

      In today’s world, plastic laundry detergent jars are a common sight in our homes. They’re convenient for storing and pouring detergent, but have you ever thought about what happens to them before and after they find a place in your laundry room? In this blog, we’ll explore the journey of…

    • The Great Laundry Heists: When Detergent Became Gold

      Forget diamonds, cash, or high-end electronics. During the 2010s, a strange but very real crime wave washed across the United States—and its target wasn’t gold or jewels, but laundry detergent. Tide, to be specific. What began as petty theft quickly escalated into an underground economy worth millions. Tide wasn’t just…

    • From Bubbles to Bougie: The World’s Most Expensive Detergents

      Skip to main content The Laundry Club Hire An Expert Help Center 2 HM Posts There’s a war raging in your laundry room—and it’s not just between stains and spin cycles. It’s between high-end haute couture detergent and bottom-shelf budget basics. From $60-per-liter luxury liquids perfumed like Parisian runways to…

    • The Dirty Truth About Hotel Laundry: Grime, Gore, and Secrets

      You check into a luxury hotel. The sheets are crisp, the towels fluffy, and your robe smells faintly of jasmine. Everything seems pristine. But what if I told you the story behind that softness might be… well, horrifying? Welcome to The Dirty Truth About Hotel Laundry — a global, steamy,…

    • Hanging Out the Dirty Laundry: Clotheslines of Resistance

      Throughout history, the humble act of doing laundry has, at times, transformed into a radical act of resistance. From women’s suffrage movements to civil disobedience in the face of apartheid, laundry has moved beyond a domestic chore and into the realm of powerful political protest. This post takes a deep…

    • Curses in the Cloth: Global Laundry Spellwork

      Laundry: the very word conjures up images of cleanliness, care, and daily routine. Yet beneath the rhythmic slosh of water and the scent of fresh linens lies a far older, darker undercurrent. Across the globe, laundry has been deeply entwined with ritual magic, protective charms, and yes—curses. From whispered hexes…

    • Wash With Intention: Exploring Ghusl, Laundry, and Purity

      Wash With Intention: Exploring Ghusl, Laundry, and Purity in Islamic Tradition Today, we’re taking a turn toward something sacred—something profoundly human: the intersection of cleanliness, spirituality, and ritual. Welcome to the world of ghusl (Arabic: غُسْل), the Islamic practice of full-body purification, and its surprisingly close connection to laundry. Yes,…

    • Dirty Laundry: When Art Airs Out What We’d Rather Keep Hidden

      Let’s face it: laundry has a way of piling up, both literally and metaphorically. One minute you’re on top of the sorting game, the next you’re fishing for a clean sock like it’s the last cookie in the jar. But while most of us are just trying to stay ahead…

    • Laundry of the Dead: A Global Spin on Washing for the Afterlife

      There’s something deeply symbolic about laundry. It’s one of the most universal human chores, yet often overlooked for its spiritual, cultural, and emotional significance. We wash to prepare, to purify, to preserve. We wash to transition—from work to rest, from life to death. And when it comes to death, many…

    • Tiny Socks & Toadstool Suds: Laundry Day in the Enchanted Forest

      Laundry Day for Fairies, Gnomes, and Woodland Creatures Let’s imagine for a moment that the forest hums not only with the sound of wind through leaves and the babble of streams, but with the quiet swish of mossy garments being wrung out by creatures rarely seen. Deep within glades, atop…

    • Wash at Your Own Risk: Laundry Superstitions

      Laundry, on the surface, might seem like the most ordinary of household chores. It’s routine. It’s rhythmic. It involves a lot of folding, sniffing, and the occasional sock sacrifice to the laundry gods. But beneath the clean cotton surface, there’s a web of strange and wonderful superstitions woven through cultures…

    • Battling the Dust: The Unsung Story of Coal Miners’ Laundry

      The life of a coal miner is one of grit and perseverance, marked by long hours underground and the ever-present haze of coal dust. Yet, for all the focus on the miner’s toil, there is another story—one often untold—about the challenges faced by those who manage the aftermath of the…

    • Dirty Work: The Hidden World of Crime Scene Laundry

      When most people think of crime scenes, their minds conjure images of detectives, forensic scientists, and yellow tape cordoning off the area. Rarely, if ever, does anyone think about the aftermath—the cleanup. One highly specialized yet often overlooked aspect of crime scene cleanup is crime scene laundry. This unique field…

    • Maramures : Purpose-built Primitive Whirlpools

      In old times, people used to wash their clothes in rivers, but in Maramures villages, they had their own way of doing the laundry. Before washing machines were invented, the people from Maramureș took their clothing to nearby rivers and used purpose-built primitive whirlpools. Traditional Washing Machines (Vâltori) in Maramures Villages – Northern Romania.…

    • Spinning Through Space: Laundry On The Moon

      Spinning Through Space: What It Would Be Like to Do Laundry in a Moon Settlement Let’s say it’s the year 2085. You’ve just finished a shift tending to your hydroponic tomatoes in Lunar Settlement Alpha. You peel off your space-rated moisture-wicking jumpsuit, give it a whiff, and yep—it smells like…

    • “Dirty Laundry” Exhibit Highlights Impact Of Fast Fashion

      “Dirty Laundry” Exhibit Highlights Impact Of Fast Fashion The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) is drawing attention to one of the most pressing—and often overlooked—issues of our time: the environmental and social impact of fast fashion. This term describes the fashion industry’s relentless production of inexpensive clothing, designed…

    • The Worlds Largest Laundromat

      World’s Largest Laundromat: A Monument to Clean Clothes and Community The World’s Largest Laundromat has 301 washers and dryers. It has 15 finches and miniature doves living in an aviary next to the bill-changing machines. It has a play area with a big roll of white butcher paper for drawing…

    • Auschwitz Laundry Worker To Display Valuables Culled From Victims

      Brighton resident Meyer Hack endured unspeakable horrors during World War II, where as a prisoner of the Nazi concentration camps, he lost his family and saw thousands perish. In a place created to destroy people, Hack refused to be dehumanized and cheated death. He tied a string around his neck…

    • Fabric Softener vs. Dryer Sheets

      Fabric softeners and dryer sheets have been a laundry staple for decades, helping clothes feel softer, smell fresher, and reduce static cling. But have you ever wondered how they actually work? Or which option is better for your laundry routine? This guide delves deep into the science, history, and effectiveness…

    • Why Sorting Laundry Matters

      Laundry might seem like a simple, mundane task, but if you’ve ever pulled out a load of whites turned pink or discovered your favorite sweater has shrunk to toddler size, you know that sorting laundry correctly is essential. Sorting isn’t just about separating light and dark colors—it’s about protecting fabrics,…

    • Does Your Zodiac Sign Match Your Laundry Habits?

      Do you love to do laundry every week? Or are you more of a, leave your dirty clothes in a heap until they HAVE to be cleaned, kind of person? Regardless, your laundry habits could be a result of your Zodiac sign. Aquarius – The Eco Washer If you’re an…

    • Tracking The Evolution of Laundry Detergent Prices

      The price of laundry detergent has undergone significant changes over the years, influenced by factors such as production costs, consumer demand, technological innovations, and economic shifts. From the introduction of the first synthetic detergents in the early 20th century to today’s highly concentrated formulas and premium products, laundry detergent has…

    • How Trump’s Tariffs Could Make Laundry More Expensive

      The economic impact of tariffs extends far beyond international trade disputes—it trickles down into everyday life, even into something as routine as doing laundry. With President Donald Trump proposing new tariffs on imported goods, many industries, including the laundry sector, could see significant price increases. From washing machines to detergent,…

    • All Washed Up: Abandoned Coin Laundries & Laundromats

      Step into the shadowed remnants of a world that no longer spins. All Washed Up: Abandoned Coin Laundries & Laundromats from The Laundry Club Blog invites you into spaces where the machines have fallen silent, yet the air still seems to vibrate with echoes of clattering cycles, whispered conversations, and…

    • Even The Buddha Had To Do Laundry

      “Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water” In the quiet rhythm of monastic life, where the pursuit of enlightenment guides every action, even the mundane task of laundry takes on profound significance. Buddhist monks, known for their simple lives and disciplined routines, approach…

    • Gökçe Island, Dereköy Historical Greek Laundry

      Dereköy Historical Greek Laundry – A Glimpse Into the Past The Dereköy Historical Greek Laundry, located near the Hagia Panaghia Church in the village of Dereköy on Gökçeada (Imbros Island), is a fascinating example of traditional communal laundries once used by the local Greek population. These laundries, also found in…

    • Discarded Laundry: Fukushima’s Exclusion Zone

      The laundromats of Fukushima, Japan, offer a haunting snapshot of lives interrupted, their silence echoing through a space once filled with the hum of machines and the soft chatter of neighbors. When the catastrophic earthquake and nuclear disaster struck in March 2011, residents were forced to flee with little more…

    • Lost Socks : Mischievous Gnome Conspiracy

      So, what about the missing socks theory? The missing sock theory states that socks disappear because of a mystical creature known as the sock gnome. The sock gnome is a mischievous little creature that likes to play tricks on people. Every time you lose a sock, the sock gnome takes…

    • Nome, Alaska : Nan Inuit Laundry

      Alaska: Eskimo, C1906. /Nan Inuit Man Doing Laundry In Tub Outside His Tent, With Clothes Hanging To Dry In The Background, Nome, Alaska. Photograph, C1906. In the early 20th century, daily life in Alaska for the Inuit people, often referred to as Eskimos in historical texts, was deeply tied to…

    • The Evolution of Washing: From Rivers to Robots

      When you throw your clothes into a washing machine and press a button, it’s easy to take the process for granted. But laundry has come a long way from its humble, labor-intensive origins. Let’s dive into the fascinating history of laundry—a journey that spans thousands of years, from riverside scrubbing…

    • Laundry Day : The Amish Way

      When visiting an Amish community, one of the most iconic sights is the ubiquitous clotheslines, often stretching high into the trees and adorned with neatly hung pants, shirts, and dresses in a spectrum of muted yet vibrant colors. These lines, swaying gently in the breeze, offer a glimpse into a…

    • The Fabric of Resistance : Laundry In Concentration Camps

      Laundry work during World War I and World War II, especially in Nazi Germany and labor camps across Poland and surrounding areas, became a grim and harrowing experience for those forced into this labor. For many Jewish, Romani, and other marginalized groups targeted by Hitler’s regime, doing laundry in labor…

    • Jim Crow : Laundry Segregation

      The Jim Crow era stands as one of the most divisive chapters in American history, marked by laws and customs that upheld racial segregation. During this time, the laundry industry was no exception, serving as a poignant example of the systemic inequities and social injustices that defined the period. In…

    • Preventing “RINK STINK” : Hockey Laundry

      There are few moments in hockey worse than opening your equipment bag only to be hit in the face by something more odious than an opposing player: Often called “rink stink,” it’s the stench that comes from leaving damp gear in your bag instead of allowing it to dry first.…

    • Washing with Tradition: The Sacred Rules of Gypsy Laundry

      In the world of the Romani people, cleanliness is more than a matter of personal hygiene—it’s a deeply rooted part of their spiritual and cultural practices. Among the traditions passed down through generations, the act of washing clothes holds profound significance, especially when it comes to the separation of male…

    • Maine Company Creates A Kelp-Based Laundry Pod Alternative

      Amid concern over microplastics, a Maine company creates a kelp-based laundry pod alternative In recent years, products like Tide pods and detergent sheets have taken off. Over 25% of Americans have switched to them since they came on the market more than a decade ago. For some, it was because…

    • Black Women Laundry Workers Finally Get Their Due

      Black women laundry workers finally get their due as organizers and leaders A Matter of Moral Justice, Black Women Laundry Workers and the Fight for Justice, by Jenny Carson, is an important new book. As a history of laundry workers and their 108-year struggle for justice from 1912 to 2020,…

    • Could Your Laundry Be Making You Sick?

      Did you know that contaminated laundry can make you sick? Learn how to protect yourself and your family from mold or other pathogens in your laundry. When people think about their house making them sick, they often picture moldy air filters or leaky toilets. However, it turns out that even…

    • Mushroom Enzyme to Replace Laundry Detergents?

      Microorganisms are everywhere. Forty million in a single gram of soil. One hundred trillion in the gut flora of the average human. Among this soup of single-celled, microscopic organisms are microbes such as bacteria, which, among other things, produce enzymes. Enter Novozymes. Headquartered in Bagsværd, just outside Copenhagen, this Danish…

    • Controversy Over Muslim-Only Laundromat Exposes Religious Tension

      When Mr Koh Boon Ooi decided to open a 24-hour self-service laundromat in Muar, Johor, six months ago, one of his priorities was getting a halal certification for laundry detergent. Although the Johor local council did not require him to do so, he applied for the halal certification from the…

    • Russia Removes Foreign Detergent, Washing Powder From Shops

      Russian authorities ordered the removal of foreign brands of laundry detergent and other cleaning products from shops in the latest example of products being targeted by what is widely seen as retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow’s interference in Ukraine. Russia’s consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has a history of alleging…

    • Radioactive Laundry: The Strange Reality of Nuclear Stains

      Radioactive Laundry: The Strange Reality of Nuclear Stains Well, buckle up, folks, because this is one of those “you can’t make this stuff up” scenarios. Picture this: you’re tossing a load of laundry in the wash, and the next thing you know, you’re dealing with a nuclear disaster—because, believe it…

    • Dhobi Ghat – The World’s Largest Outdoor Laundry

      If, you think that the words ‘Outdoor Laundry’ suggest an al-fresco group of giant washing machines that swirl foaming suds to get that ‘bluey white-ness’, then you’d be wrong.  The Dhobi Ghat is, in fact, a large area comprised of hundreds of concrete troughs in which men (young and old)…

    • A Racist Laundry Law In Early San Francisco Helped Civil Rights

      Yick Wo: How A Racist Laundry Law In Early San Francisco Helped Civil Rights The next time you pass the parking lot on Third Street between St. Francis Place and Harrison Street, imagine a laundry named Yick Wo housed there.   It was the scene of one of the earliest…

    • How to Do Your Laundry in Japan

      A guide on Japanese washing machines, detergents, air drying, and more. You just arrived in your Japan apartment and realized you spilled coffee on your favorite jacket. You rush to use the washing machine to remove the stain but don’t have any detergent! Or you don’t know how to use…

    • The Army Laundress

      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…

    • Medieval Laundry: It’s As Bad As You Think

      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…

    • The Vital Role of Laundry in Human Existence

      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…

    • Minimalism Saves Me From Spending Hours on Laundry

      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…

    • Laundry Equipment to Clean Firefighter Gear: Clean Gear Saves Lives

      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…

    • The Swastika Laundry: From Prosperity to Controversy

      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…

    • Laundry USSR

      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…

    • The History and Evolution of Wool Dryer Balls

      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,…

    • The Invention of the Laundromat

      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…

    • Doing The Devil’s Laundry

      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…

    • The Essential Role of Laundry Units in Combat Zones

      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…

    • The Chaos of Laundry Day in Prison

      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,…

    • Poltergeists in the Sanatorium Laundry

      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…