Washing

MissAdventure

My life is one constant wash load, I think.

It really gets me down, taking ages to dry stuff, then out comes my boy, wearing it. It's like a launderette in here.

Look into heat pump dryer, a little more expensive to buy, but the smart dial has hardly moved. I was worried it would be on for hours, but it’s no longer than my old Siemens condenser dryer. Washing comes out lovely, not roasting hot like my old dryer.

Casdon

How often you need to wash surely also depends on what you spend your time doing. With a dog to walk in all weathers, a big garden which is banked, a son who plays golf, wears uniform and is 6’ tall so wears big sweatshirts etc. I laugh at the assertion that people only need to wash once or twice a week. I think we can be too quick to condemn those who do things differently to us - it doesn’t mean what they do is wrong.

Indeed.

We walk dog(s) 4 times a day.
Golf and tennis. Ski in winter.
Filthy work in dirty environment.
Garden.
Live way in the country.
Many GC/GGC.
Cook homemade - a messy task.

Count the wash loads - I do the best possible at reducing washes.

MissInterpreted

I'm shocked by how much washing does go on! I honestly can't imagine how people need to do a wash every day, especially if there's just two of you in the house. I didn't even do that when there was four or five of us! Like I said earlier, maybe I'm just a clarty cow, but I can easily wear the same clothes around the house all week. I do change my knickers though!

Just as well, in case you get run over by a bus

rafichagran

3 days a week, including bed and towel wash. I line dry.

Oh how do you manage that in this weather?

MissInterpreted

Certainly not every day - there are only the two of us in the house, so the washing machine is only on once or twice a week, perhaps more if there are wet dog towels to wash. How can people be washing every day if there are only two of you?

I was starting to feel guilty at how infrequently I do washing after reading the first few answers. I'm on my own so once a week or less. Some people wash everything after a single wear and it really isn't necessary. Washing things too often causes unnecessary wear and tear and the extra water, electricity and detergents is bad for the environment as well as our wallets! Obviously it was a lot more when we were a family of four. When my DD lived with me for a while she washed clothes far more than me but still no more than 3 loads a week between us.

How often you need to wash surely also depends on what you spend your time doing. With a dog to walk in all weathers, a big garden which is banked, a son who plays golf, wears uniform and is 6’ tall so wears big sweatshirts etc. I laugh at the assertion that people only need to wash once or twice a week. I think we can be too quick to condemn those who do things differently to us - it doesn’t mean what they do is wrong.

I'm shocked by how much washing does go on! I honestly can't imagine how people need to do a wash every day, especially if there's just two of you in the house. I didn't even do that when there was four or five of us! Like I said earlier, maybe I'm just a clarty cow, but I can easily wear the same clothes around the house all week. I do change my knickers though!

I am shocked by this thread at how much washing doesn’t go on!

I used to do a light and a dark wash every day but cut down to ‘only wash when the basket is full’ after the price of electricity went through the roof.

Bedding and towels get done once a week and underwear, one shirt, one top and a cardigan/jumper get changed every day. T shirts worn in bed get changed daily though p.j. bottoms last longer.

I read that as we age our bodies produce enzymes responsible for that ‘old lady/man’ smell older persons sometimes give off. I have a horror of inflicting this on others.

I’m on my own with a dog so once or twice a week for me and Peggy’s blankets get done approx once a month.

I wash the fitted bed sheet weekly and the duvet cover fortnightly. Towels as and when depending on the weather. I air dry in the conservatory with the windows open when I can’t hang stuff outside and use a dehumidifier.

M0nica

2 of us, 2 washes, occasionally a third.

I make a conscious effort to do as little clothes washing as possible, it is contributing to global warming, and contributing to the water shortage in this country.

While I do rmemeber some people smelling in my childhood, genrally speaking everyone round me was clean as was the house and there were no clothes or dirt odours. Yet this was achieved with a fraction of the personal and domestic washing we do these days.

I spot clean, I air clothes and bedding, I change intimate underwear daily - and I wash at 60 degrees to ensure that all bacteria are destroyed and clothes.

If you have to add extra chemicals disinfectants to lower temperature washes to eradicate smells and bacteria, then the solution is to abandon the corrosive and dangerous chemicals, their manufacture will consume any energy you save by not turning the washing machine temperature up, not to mention the dangerous waste manufacturing them produces.

Spot on MOnica.You are so right about laundry contributing to global warming and also unnecessary chemical usage. Additionally microplastic shed from fabrics particularly during washing is a top source of pollution resulting in polluted waterways and seas, and finds its way into the bodies of all of us, including human breast milk!

I am shocked by how much washing goes on. Most clothing doesn’t need frequent washing and natural wool jumpers hardly ever. A good airing outside and spot cleaning often suffices.

Obviously each household’s needs differ and I appreciate some do have extra hygiene needs.

No

I am starting to pack to rent a house in Cornwall over half-term, and it occurred to me that I would never book a house without a washing machine, and preferably tumble dryer. I inevitably end up doing 3 or 4 loads while away on holiday for the week.

No - live on my own and I only have a full load once every 10 days or so.

I live alone, one wash a week usually. But my next door neighbour also lives alone and she hangs out washing every day! I think she must only wear things once, including bras!

No. I probably use the machine every 10 days or so (and will do 2-3 loads) when I notice the underwear and sock drawers emptying.
With the exception of underwear and socks, if things pass the ‘sniff test’ they are reworn nowadays!

I only wash once a week. Two adults.

It’s important to do a full load, obviously, so don’t overwash everything.

Only me, so 1 or 2 loads a week, one of which is always towels on a hot wash. Other loads when I have enough of any particular thing

You've all inspired me to do a wash. Now it's raining.

I am astonished as to how much washing people seem to find. Living by myself I do one wash a week in the summer months and usually two in the winter.
Unless I actually spilt something down myself always wear outer clothing at least twice, more if possible. Okay, underwear changed daily. I have a fitted sheet and a flat sheet on my bed, Fitted sheet lasts a fortnight, flat sheet gets top tailed after one week,. On top of that will be my 4.5 tog duvet when t he weather gets cold, at present is just a coverlet. - as this (nor the duvet)a actually touch me I wash those once a month. Towels once a week.

I do have a large drum on my washing machine and usually all is washed together at thirty degrees. Usually all air dried by wide open window. In really bad weather I will use my tumble drier.

We are being constantly warned about climate change, and cutting back somewhat on usage of such a machine is something we can all do to help.

10 kg machine. One dark, one white or lights a week.
Bought heat pump dryer- best thing ever!. 39p wash & dry 😊

Two adults here; washing machine used on four days a week. Usually more than four washes (in total) & always try to have a full load. (We like to space out the drying across the week.)

2 adults 5x a week minimum

Twice per week possibly 2 loads each time if beds are stripped, towels etc

Three adults so three times a week , sometimes four.

Ditto 2 of us