I am an unabashed fan of Martha Stewart, have been for years. Maybe because we both grew up in large families of six kids, with practical hardworking parents. Or maybe because I appreciate all the hands-on housekeeping things she does and promotes, all done with a sense of beauty and class. In any event, I love most everything she does.
I was reading Martha's "30 Things Everyone Should Know" on her website. Of course, being the avid laundress I am, I was interested in her "Do The Laundry" piece:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/do-the-laundry
Overall, I feel she gives very good advice and clear instructions. What I find encouraging is her emphasis on air-drying "the old fashioned way". Over the years I have noticed that she is an enthusiastic hang-dryer, talking about it on many shows. Of course, she uses an electric dryer too, but I like how she gives clotheslines and drying racks equal billing.
What bothers me a little...okay, a lot, is her insistence on using hot water to wash whites. I must admit that I was always under the impression that hot water was the only way to wash whites. But I have seen the error of my ways from Project Laundry List, and now wash everything in cold. Yes, Martha, even whites! There is no difference in the whiteness, and they seem to get just as clean as washing in hot. I see no reason to waste hot water energy when it can be done just as efficiently in cold water.
Perhaps cold water washing could be "The 31st Thing Everyone Should Know"... right, Martha?!
Marilyn Huttunen
Clotheslines Across America
Friday, November 13, 2009
Doing The Laundry With Martha
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
4 pertinent remarks:
At Old School Brand Laundry Soap we support air drying, cold water use,and just a tablespoon of our laundry soap!! The more clothes lines on the planet, the smaller our carbon footprint! By the way, air drying helps to make whites brighter!! You laundry smells wonderful too!
i am 71 and have been hanging laundry outside all my life in good weather. had 7 children that meant laundry was out every day it did not rain.
i dont have free utilities since i had the same husband for all my children and he and i both worked.
that means you save where you can.
and always one of the savings was laundry put out before i went to work and down when i came home.
none of my neighbors complained as a matter of fact they also have started to hang out laundry. we all now on my block and the one next have lines out and sometimes share props and pins.
biggest problem we are having is finding decent clothesline to replace the old. the new ones are just lousy. wont last but a month or so. anyone know where we can find some. been thinking of wire but that is permanent.
one of the best tips i ever got on cold water and hang drying is to use a little baking soda in the water to make it soft. can cut the soap in half and makes the laundry smell much better. all smelly socks and t shirts need it.
To Anonymous: I had the same problem with my outdoor clothesline not lasting long at all! I live in the rainy, damp Pacific Northwest and cotton clotheslines would just disintegrate. I solved the problem by buying braided nylon cord used to tie up boats (it floats!)for a clothesline in my backyard. It is very durable and a sunshiny bright yellow. I think it will last for years.
Marilyn
Post a Comment