I just put a load of laundry in the washing machine and was struck by the difference in how I wash a load of laundry to how my Grandma washes a load of laundry.
Grandma washes laundry when there are a few articles of clothing. I wait until there are so many whites to wash that I end up having to cram them all into 2 separate loads and even then I don't know if the top layer of clothes will even get agitated in the wash.
I haven't seen how Grandma adds her laundry detergent, but I'm sure she doesn't just poor it in the washing machine. She probably has a measuring cup in her laundry room to measure the detergent, softener and bleach. I just poor hoping that it's close enough to what it's supposed to be.
When the cycle starts and I see that the top half of the clothes aren't being agitated-because I've crammed them all in-I use my hand to push the top ones down. At least they'll get wet in the soapy water. I then wipe off my hand with one of the dirty towels lying on the floor. When Grandma adds a new article of clothing to the 3 articles of clothing already in the washing machine, she has the "Special Stick" to push the clothes down with. This "Special Stick" is smooth and has rounded edges so it doesn't get caught on any clothes and it is always kept in the laundry room because that is it's only purpose.
When I hear the washing machine stop, I may or may not have a chance to go down there and switch the clothes over. I've been known to go down to the basement to put a load in and see that there are already clothes left over from the last load I did 2 days ago. "That's where all the socks went!" If I do have a chance to put the clothes in the dryer, who knows how long they will sit in there waiting to be folded. Some days, I get dressed next to the dryer. It's like Christmas waiting to see what will come out next.
Oh yeah, the lint catcher. I'm sure Grandma empties that after each use. Some days I could clothe a small child with the cotton that's pulled out of that thing.
The only reason I am speaking out about my shameful laundry etiquette is because my small group that meets on Wednesdays has recently spoken out about its laziness too. We all agree that it is horrible and that we should change; however, I just pulled my shirt out of the dryer to wear this morning.
Oh, I wish I could be more like Grandma.
5 comments:
My husband's mother is like your Grandmother....
Makes me wonder if he ever expected me to be like that. It has been long enough that he knows better now, that is for sure! The ironing is the thing that makes me feel the worst, that woman (his mother) irons EVERY piece of cothing right as it comes out of the drier. I don't iron ANYTHING, cause after you sit in the car with it on for 5 minutes, it'll look just as bad anyway. =)
I'd better leave this one anonymous...
Sharon, you're not alone in this one; when I put a load in, I put a LOAD.
The only things I do in small sessions are new clothes as we purchase them. That's the only time that any of our clothes get that "special treatment." After that, they are part of the rest of the bunch wadded up and stuffed into the washing machine. :)
I do laundry the exact same way and I usually get dressed beside the dryer too! Miss you! When are you all coming for a visit again?
Oh, come on...who is the anonymous person??? This is going to drive me nuts!
Well, you know it's not me!!!!
Post a Comment