Patric Richardson entertains in a book about LAUNDRY, with info both whimsical and informative.
Patric finds joy in a common chore because he knows some tricks of the trade. He admits to being a little weird and eccentric: Asked for the book Dress for Success for his eleventh birthday, voted best dressed in eighth grade and in high school, and majored in merchandising and textiles at the University of Kentucky. He calls himself a Laundry Evangelist and markets cleaning products and tips on his website: https://laundryevangelist.com/ If you want to learn how to un-shrink a sweater, he’s your guy!
“When it comes to cleaning, our clothes are bossy,” Patric declares. “Dry-clean only. Wash in cold water. Handwash. Dry flat. Spotwash only. Blah. blah, blah.”
Advice: What he loves about laundry
- “Wash everything—and I mean everything—on warm. Yes, your darks, your delicates, even if you use a detergent designed for cold water.” 37
- You’re going to wash everything on the express cycle, sometimes called the fast, quick, super-speed cycle, which “takes your clothes through an eight-minute wash and an eight-minute rinse (plus the rest and the spin)—plenty of time to get your clothes clean.” Clothing with beads or sequins? Turn inside out. 38, 40
- “Like hangers, a disco ball is a must in every laundry room.” 142
What he hates:
- Patric abhors dryer sheets and fabric softeners more than he hates squirrels and mosquitoes. Why? Because you’re “coating your clothes with silicone and cutting their absorbency by up to eighty percent.”
- He also hates dry-cleaning (because of harsh chemicals) “Unnecessary to dry-clean,” he says.
***
Patric quotes Ruth Moose, poet and novelist:
“There is joy in clean laundry. All is forgiven in water, sun and air.”
He even channels Shakespeare’s Lady MacBeth, “Out, damn’d spot! Out, I say.” In Laundry Love, Patric provides 3-4 pages of surefire ways to eliminate spots and stains.
He advocates line drying when possible:
And he maintains that hanging out laundry can be a courageous act:
“During four years of the Revolutionary War is believed that Long Island resident Ann Smith Strong served as a spy for the Culper Ring, which provided news of the British military’s movements in New York City. . . to General Washington. This mother of nine cleverly signaled the arrival whereabouts of another spy by hanging out a black petticoat and a varying number of handkerchiefs to dry. Who knew laundry could be so exciting?” 54
Blogger friend Liesbet and I have both benefited from line drying
Discover more of Liesbet’s adventures in Colombia, South America beyond line-drying HERE!
Our backyard clothesline years ago in Killarney Shores:
Mystery of the Missing Socks
Patric quips, “It is not true that the drier eats socks. The truth is that it eats only the mate to your favorite pair.”
Ironing
The New Yorker: Farley Katz
Time to Pump Some Iron (or Blow Off Some steam), a chapter in which Patric expounds on the joys of ironing
“I find it soothing to take something wrinkled and make it smooth. It feels anticipatory.” ~ Alexandra Stoddard, interior designer and author 60
“Ironing “ by Vicki Feaver https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/ironing/
“Ironing after Midnight” by Marsha Truman Cooper https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48564/ironing-after-midnight
“Ironing their Clothes” by Julia Alvarez An homage to loved ones http://samslackeypoems.blogspot.com/2008/04/ironing-their-clothes-by-julia-alvarez.html
A St. Patrick’s Day homage to laundry and the Irish Washerwoman, a blogpost including my Grandma Longenecker’s recipe for darn good homemade lye soap and an Irish jig, appropriate this week’s celebration of “the wearing of the green.” You can find both HERE.
What about doing laundry do you love? hate?
Do you have a love or hate relationship with ironing?
Share your tricks about removing stains.
Here’e to St. Patrick’s Day and the wearing of the clean green!
Book available for pre-order: BUY BOOK HERE!
Good morning, Marian! You’re posting your blog earlier.
I have no laundry insights to offer. We put clothes in the washer, then dryer, then take them out–eventually. Embrace the wrinkles. 😏 I’m not sure where the iron is. We have a two-story house with the washer and dryer in the basement. I don’t love or hate doing laundry, but I like clean clothes, and I love the feel of clean sheets.
Well, Merril, I got awake early because of a change I wanted to make. When I finished, it was 5:30, and I thought, “What the heck, I can press GO now instead of the auto time set at 5:50.”
Houses in Florida don’t have basements, but I grew up in PA with one. My mom had a room next to the kitchen she called a “wash house,” where one of my earliest memories is getting my hand and arm caught in the wringer of the old-timey washer. Yes, I like clean and clean sheets, especially if they are line-dried on a brisk day. 😀
Oh my! You got your arm caught? Yikes!
Yes, of course I yelled, and Mom came and gave a quick push to the wringer rolls, releasing the grip on my arm. And, yes, it was as painful as it sounds. 🙁
Wow!
Hi Marian, what a hilarious and useful post. I love it. I listen to audio books while hanging out washing. I find it a relaxing time of my day. I get rid of stains by soaking items overnight in a small amount of cold water in the washing machine with a full amount of laundry washing liquid. That usually works, if it doesn’t, then I use a spray called Vanish on the stain. I don’t iron anything.
Robbie, I like your method of soaking out stains, a solution I too swear by. We have a spray called Shout that works much like your Vanish.
I understand your attitude toward ironing. Why, you could be writing a poem–or creating a fondant figure. Thanks for checking in with your thoughts! 😀
Exactly 😊
Patric’s book sounds very unique and wise. Once again you have provided a joy-filled post and expanded my knowledge of a subject I haven’t thought about much (but have to think of every once in a while because I need clean clothes! 😀😀😀
I saw the book advertised somewhere and was drawn in by the topic and Patric’s big smile. I’m glad you found joy in the “soap bubbles,” L. Marie! 😀
You find some interesting topics and looks like the Laundry book offers some great laughs and good info.Thanks. I love to tell people about the Costco product my brother-in-law introduced us to several years ago, called Ecos, an environmentally friendly laundry detergent that has taken out stains and dirt that I was simply flabbergasted to see (to use an old “Mom” word). It comes in a Costco-sized jug and lasts me about 6 months. Not always available in stores but my hub always wants me to stock up. 🙂 (Saved more than one of his shirts/good slacks.)
Melodie, I just became a member of Costco and will search out this product. Eco-friendly and effective sound good to me. Thanks for the tip! 😀
What a fun way to start the day with a humorous and necessary topic. Many helpful tips to absorb, would make an interesting bridal shower gift!
Yes, we are approaching bridal shower season. Laundry Love and My Checkered Life would be two good gift choices: Keep the marriage hot and the clothes clean, a good motto. Thanks, Carolyn! 😀
I’m one of the few I know who irons regularly. I prefer the coolness of 100% cotton but the 1960s teenager in me just can’t bring herself to wear it wrinkled. As I complete the monthly ironing I sometimes daydream of ironing days long past … sewing my children’s clothes or pressing my husband’s work shirts. Another benefit? I combine ironing day with a Marie Kondo of my closet. The organization at the end sparks joy!
Lynn, I feel the joy in your comment. And it makes perfect sense to me that you would like ironing clothes: iron trivets and a laundry iron–a great combo! 😀
What a great post Marian! 🙂 Writing about washing clothes may never have been on my laundry list (groan), but I love Patric, I love the tips (washing everything on warm – what???) and just the feel of line-drying your clothes from time to time. I particularly love the sock cartoon. LOL! You have a great sense of humor Marian. Thanks for a fun and interesting read and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
You’re welcome, Melanie. Our laundry room is next to the kitchen, so combining the chore with daily tasks is no big deal as it was for our mothers and grandmothers. I’m glad you found sunshine in the soap suds! 😀
Uh oh. It would appear that my current laundry methods violate just about every one of Patric’s edicts. I sure hope I’m not due a visit from the Laundry Police. I prefer natural fabrics to synthetics, which means I have to iron them, which doesn’t bother me. I’ll watch TV or listen to a podcast so I don’t get too bored. I used to iron the pillow cases because my mother always had. I’ve given that up.
I know what you mean–simple tasks like ironing slow down the pace and give a pleasant “pause” in the day. I usually don’t iron but sometimes I’ll press out crumbled gift bag tissue, so I can use it again. True confession!
By the way, I have changed my ways, at least temporarily, now using the speed cycle and warm water instead of cold. (Not sure how long this new approach will last.) Thanks, Liz. 😀
Who ever thought a book about laundry could be entertaining and enlightening? I’m sure there are a lot of awesome tips in it as well. I love clean laundry! But, having done a lot of it by hand due to our lifestyle, especially when sailing for eight years and sporadically while RVing, I very much appreciate a washing machine!!
In Colombia, dryers are rare, even in modern houses. Most people hang their laundry outside to dry. It’s surprising how fast clothes actually dry in a combination of sun and wind. I think ironing is a waste of time, except maybe for office clothes, which I don’t have. 🙂 I’ve never owned an iron or ironing board.
Thanks for the shout-out, Marian!!
Until now, I’ve never thought about how you washed clothes on a sailboat. Though surrounded by water, doing laundry must have been a chore.
I’m enamored by the idea of clothes flying in the wind. I remember my mother’s (and my own) joy at sunny winds drying our clothes. Where we live now, clothes lines are not permitted, but I still hang damp shirts or outfits on hangers from a tree branch.
Your photo added some pizzazz to the blog post this week. My pleasure, Liesbet! 😀
Ironing brings back memories of my mother. She ironed everything, including the sheets. These days I only iron my quilting fabric. But I love the smell of laundry dried outside. Our cat loves to follow me from laundry room to wherever I am folding the clean clothes, so she can “help” me but laying on top of everything. Bless her little heart!
Bless kitty’s little heart–and yours for commenting here, Ginger. I too remember the fragrance of line-dried laundry, even the unique joy of sheets dried in the winter, frozen stiff, but clean-smelling.
Loved this part: “This mother of nine cleverly signaled the arrival whereabouts of another spy by hanging out a black petticoat and a varying number of handkerchiefs to dry.” Wow!
Yes, Sharon, among the laundry tips, Patric tucked some historical tidbits. Who knew that line-drying could change the course of a nation. I say “Wow” too! 😀
Laundry is my favourite household chore, especially hanging it out and taking it in, with that fresh outdoorsy scent! Unfortunately, since our move, I have not been able to do that. I do not like ironing, but hubby does, so “go ahead if you’re inclined!” Have never used those scented sheets or softeners, was suspicious and now know why! Thanks for another entertaining post, Marian!
I’m pleased to hear you like laundry day. I’d probably like it more if line-drying were an option, especially for sheets and towels: less wear & tear on the fabrics along with the fresh smell. I applaud your husband for ironing. Your mentioning that reminded me that Cliff said he used to iron shirts for men in his university dorm to earn money for snacks and other treats. (He had another job on campus to pay for tuition.)
Thanks for sharing, Elfrieda! 😀
This post was right up my alley. I’m pretty good at getting out spots, I iron, and I hang my sheets on the line in good weather. I also have a drying rack I use to dry sweaters, lingerie, etc. It sounds as if Patric could teach me a few more tricks though. 🙂
Patric would applaud our approach to launch. He mentioned a drying rack more than once. And that brought back memories of my mother drying clothes that way, pushing the drying rack close to the radiator. Thanks for tuning in with a comment, Linda. 😀
After years of having an automatic washer and dryer in Canada, I now no longer have a dryer and hang everything outside to dry. In Spain it usually dries very quickly too. I actually don’t mind not having a dryer. But I do need to check the weather in the morning to be sure it isn’t forecasting rain! Since I retired, I no longer iron anything. The cartoons are funny. Thanks.
Darlene, like you, I know I’d like line-drying once again. I imagine it could turn even into a spiritual practice, doing something practical with your hands while meditating.
I’m guessing too that clothes dry quickly in Spain because of bright sun, brisk breezes and low humidity. I’m glad you liked the cartoons too! 😀
How interesting. All of it. Wash all clothes on warm? I dunno… that sounds suspicious to me.
What about doing laundry do you love? hate? I love having clean clothes when it’s over. I hate folding polo shirts.
Do you have a love or hate relationship with ironing? I hate ironing.
Share your tricks about removing stains. Don’t spill anything to begin with? Is that a trick? 😊
I like that you turn the questions on me. Yes, I like clean clothes. Finished. Done. However, I don’t usually dread the task because I have help from hubster, who leans deep into the tub to transfer from washer to drier–and more.
Next question: I have changed my procedure at least temporarily using the speed cycle because I think it will save electricity while getting the clothes clean.
My ironing days are over, mostly. I like that you advise not spilling anything in the first place. Yes, of course, I think it’s a good trick, Ally! 😀
Though I haven’t done it quite some time, there’s nothing better than the smell of clothes that have been naturally dried outside. My dad has a great anecdote about putting on a pair of trousers and he felt something inside one of the pant legs when he pulled them up. Apparently, a bat had flown inside and fallen asleep. I wonder if my dad or the bat was more surprised.
Your bat-in-the-pants story comes under the category of “You can’t make this up.” I’ll be sure that Cliff reads this. Then we’ll both be amazed. Thanks, Pete! 😀
This was a fun post. I,ve always enjoyed laundry…making the dirty fresh and clean again. Even as a little girl, I would copy my mom, washing and hanging out my doll dresses. She even warmed her toy iron on the stove so I could iron them. I’m looking forward to warmer weather so I can hang things out. I didn’t enjoy doing that this winter when our dryer broke. The clothespins were frozen shut! Canadian winter! Lol
How cute, your Mama heating up the toy iron to smooth out wrinkles in your doll clothes.
The calendar says spring is just around the corner. I hope that’s true for your neck of the woods. I can’t imagine clothespins frozen shut. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, Jenn! 😀
The laundry is looking at me dirty again. 😉
I hate those dirty looks too, Linda Lee–ha.
Very funny! 😀
You’ve made me want to read a book about laundry! How fun. As for ironing – nope! I’d have trouble locating my iron. That which needs to be ironed must move on to the house of someone else who will love it properly.
I love your witty comment, Arlene. I think you are in good company among the non-ironers here! 😀
What a delightful post I will definitely try the speed wash and as everything I wash goes outside to dry I don’t think I have even seen a dryer here everything is dried outside…Ironing is a must I admit to not ironing tea towels any longer but I cannot stand wrinkled clothes my iron is in daily use…
I have changed my laundry habits slightly, tweaking them with a tip or two from Patric. If you read other comments, you’ll find that several readers don’t know where they’ve stored their irons–or don’t have one at all. I seldom iron, choosing rather to hang up the item fresh from the drier before it has time to get wrinkled. Good for you, Carol! 😀
Human beings are fascinating–and that’s my take on Patric. If I have to dry clean or iron something, I don’t buy it. That makes life simpler. My iron is 50 years old and I used it for sewing projects when I had young children, but now I write and no longer make clothing. I know where the iron is but no longer use it. I like clean sheets and clean stacks of everything washed with detergents without fragrance, dried on racks or in the drier, and put away in cabinets (towels) or drawers or closets(my clothing). The best thing is an empty laundry basket. I appreciate your light-hearted whimsy.
Elaine, I echo your sentiment, “Now I write and no longer make clothing.” Yet I still hold on to some ancient patterns: my wedding dress and a few of the ones I used to make my children’s outfits. Until you mentioned it, I didn’t realize the best thing for me is an empty laundry basket. Woo-Hoo! 😀
I enjoyed this overview of ironing, something I, also, seldom do anymore. You probably also remember this classic literary essay? https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/I-Stand-Here-Ironing-by-Tillie-Olsen.pdf
Ironing is more than ironing.
Yes, ironing is more than ironing just as being a sous chef is more than chopping vegetables when I offer my “sacrifice” on the altar of my kitchen counter. Thanks for jogging a long-lost memory from an author who championed women and the down-trodden, Tillie Lerner Olsen. Thanks, Shirley. 😀
Very interesting, Marian! I need to un-shrink a sweater and will check out Patric’s site. When our kids were living at home, I hung EVERYTHING because they were growing and we didn’t want thinks to wear out or shrink. I found it pretty tedious. When they went to college, everything went into the dryer!
You deserve a badge of honor (or at least a gold star!) for hanging out clothes when your children were growing up at home. These days I can barely summon the energy to transfer clothing from the washer to the drier. Thanks for the memory snippet, Barb! 😀