Laundry facts for kids
Laundry is the process of washing clothing and other fabrics. It's how we keep our clothes clean and fresh! Laundry is often done in a special room called a laundry room in homes. Some shared homes or dorms have laundry rooms that everyone can use. Places where you can pay to wash clothes are called laundromats or launderettes.
The basic idea of laundry is to wash clothes with soap or detergent and water. Then, the dirty water is rinsed away with clean water. After washing, the clothes are dried. This can be done using a clothes dryer or by hanging them on a clothesline. Sometimes, clothes are also ironed or pressed to remove wrinkles.
How We Wash Clothes
Washing clothes has changed a lot over time. Today, most people use machines, but hand washing is still common in many parts of the world.
Washing by Hand
For centuries, people washed clothes by hand. This usually involved scrubbing clothes in a tub or river with soap and water. They would often beat the clothes against rocks or use washboards to remove dirt. Then, they would rinse the clothes thoroughly in clean water. Hand washing is still useful for delicate items or when a washing machine isn't available.
Washing Machines
A washing machine is a special appliance that washes clothes automatically. You put your dirty clothes inside, add detergent, and the machine fills with water. It then spins and tumbles the clothes to clean them. After washing, the machine drains the dirty water and rinses the clothes. Finally, it spins the clothes very fast to remove most of the water. This makes them easier to dry.
Drying Clothes
After washing, clothes need to be dried.
Clothes Dryers
A clothes dryer is another appliance that uses heat and tumbling to dry clothes quickly. You put the wet clothes inside, and the dryer blows warm air through them. The clothes tumble around, helping the air reach all parts and dry them evenly.
Clotheslines
Many people still dry clothes by hanging them on a clothesline outdoors or indoors. The sun and wind naturally dry the clothes. This method saves energy and can make clothes smell fresh.
Ironing and Folding
Once clothes are dry, some people choose to iron them. Ironing uses heat to smooth out wrinkles and make clothes look neat. After ironing or drying, clothes are usually folded and put away.
Where Laundry Happens
Laundry can be done in different places, depending on where you live and what resources you have.
Laundry at Home
Most homes today have a dedicated laundry room or a space for a washing machine and dryer. This makes it easy to do laundry whenever needed. These rooms often have sinks for hand washing or pre-treating stains.
Laundromats and Dry Cleaners
Laundromats
A laundromat (also called a launderette or washateria) is a business where people can pay to use washing machines and dryers. They are very useful for people who don't have their own machines at home. Laundromats often have large machines for big items like blankets.
Dry Cleaners
Some clothes, like suits or delicate dresses, cannot be washed with water. These items are taken to a dry cleaner. Dry cleaners use special chemicals and methods to clean clothes without using water.
The History of Laundry
Laundry has been an important task for humans for thousands of years.
Early Methods
In ancient times, people washed clothes in rivers or streams. They would beat the clothes against rocks or rub them with sand to remove dirt. Early soaps were made from animal fats and plant ashes. The Romans even had public laundries where slaves would wash clothes using urine, which contains ammonia, a cleaning agent.
The First Machines
The first washing machines were invented in the 18th and 19th centuries. These early machines were hand-powered and much simpler than today's. They often had a crank that turned paddles to agitate the clothes. The first electric washing machine appeared in the early 1900s, making laundry much easier and faster.
Today's Laundry
Modern washing machines and dryers are very advanced. They can save water and energy, and some even connect to your phone! Today, laundry is a common household chore that helps us stay clean and healthy.
Images for kids
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Laundry is hung to dry above an Italian street.
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A self-service laundry in Paris
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Laundry in the river in Abidjan, 2006
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"Man and woman washing linen in a brook", from William Henry Pyne's Microcosm (1806). Unusually, this is depicted as a mixed-sex activity.
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Washhouse in Sanremo, Italy, at about the turn of the 20th century
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Washhouse in Cabeção, Portugal, today. Note the two basins and inclined stone lip.
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The "Woman's Friend" washing machine, circa 1890 U.S.
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Many dry cleaners place cleaned clothes inside thin clear plastic garment bags.
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Directions for hand-washing New Britain Standard Hygienic Underwear, circa 1915
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The launderer by Jef Lambeaux
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See also
In Spanish: Lavado de ropa para niños
