You know, the biggest hack of all concerning laundry is farm it out. Both my wife and I are working - there’s not much time together, and we’re not willing to let chores cut into it. If you farm it out, the net monetary difference is about $50 per set of laundry - two weeks of it.

It also takes about 6 hours of her or my time to do it. I’m lucky to make a good salary, so let’s count her instead - $8 per hour. That’s $48 - so even if you’re in a low income bracket, having somebody do the laundry is $4 per month net difference. A small price to pay, I’d think…

(If you’ve got more time than money, that might be different - do the math)

We’re a “Fluff and Fold” household, but it kinda kills me. I really miss having a washer and dryer and this book is just going to make it worse.

But, yeah, I know what you mean—if you can find a place that’s 1) close, 2) cheap, 3) doesn’t screw up a lot, it’s a humongous time-saver.

We have a washer and dryer in the basement, and what I’ve found to work best is a 3-bagged hamper (lights, darks, cold-water) and doing one load a night. It goes in before dinner, into the dryer after dinner, and folded and put away before going to bed.

The trick from the laundromat days was to find one in a reasonable neighborhood with a coffee shop nearby. Find out exactly how long the washers take, get some java and come back when needed. With two people you can get dinner nearby, one person runs to do the switch, and the laundry is usually done by the time you’ve finished the meal.

I was just thinking the other day how lovely it would be if Ms. Mendelson would write a single volume on clothing care. This is fantasic news.

I’ve just moved from an apartment with a Euro washer/dryer to an apartment with nothing, so I’m at the washeteria now. I really hope there’s something in the book about making do at the laundromat.

1. All the stuff mentioned in the summary there is in Home Comforts. I need to check how long this Laundry book is… you could totally publish a single section of Home Comforts as a full-sized book. (Ah. “Culled from the bestselling Home Comforts, with revised and updated information and a new introduction.”)

2. Maureen, I relate to your timing-based laundry perspective. I could not get a handle on my laundry at all until I realized it was not a 6 hour chore; it was a series of 5 minute chores spaced out in intervals. Now I just set a timer whenever I turn over a load, and laundry is easy! (It probably helps that I work at home.)

seems to be an expanded version of the chapter in homecomforts. The new book (Laundry) is listed as being 416 pages.

Home Comforts is a wonderful book. This Laundry book does sound like an exerpt.

Merlin, I very much appreciate it when you discuss topics relating to “home life” as opposed to strictly “business life.”

For me, the two are the same. Even if your Daytimer is perfectly organized, you can’t do your best “work” work at home if your dining room table is piled with unfolded laundry and the sink is full of dirty dishes.

Back in my laundromat days in Brooklyn (Marcy’s on 4th st.), it seemed that the preferred method of laundry time passing was chilling with a brown bagged 24 ounce budweiser and watching the people’s court or whatnot on tv. I am happily moving to a place with a washer and dryer to share only amongst 4 people (all dudes), so I feel set.

I blogged this past week about a relatively easy handwashing technique. Or maybe its not really that easy, but it passes the time if you’ve got a touch of insomnia.

One other key/simple thing, is that a clean/made bed is perfect for folding laundry on.

“One other key/simple thing, is that a clean/made bed is perfect for folding laundry on.”

Unless you have cats (or dogs), in which case there is no good place to fold or store clothes…. ;)

Yeah, I have a copy of Home Comforts; Good book and all. But, if you want to know how to do laundry, ask your Grandmother. She’ll tell you the ‘secret.’ Borax and Fels-Naptha Soap. Wash whites in HOT water. Line dry if you’re able. That’s it.

Now MEN, back to the router bit and waffle faced hammer chiter-chatter.