WHAT IS LAUNDRY?
Laundry refers to washing and drying clothes and other items that require cleaning. It can be done in a designated space within a home or apartment building, a laundry room, or through a specialized business that offers laundry services. “laundry” encompasses the materials being washed or that have already been laundered.
What does “Laundry” mean?
Throughout history, laundry has been an integral part of human life, evolving alongside clothing development. Different cultures have devised various methods to address this essential need, which has attracted the interest of various academic disciplines. Traditionally, women have predominantly carried out laundry work, often called laundresses or washerwomen.
However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, mechanised solutions such as washing machines and tumble dryers emerged, revolautionising laundry practices. Laundry work, like cooking and childcare, is important in daily life.
The word “laundry” originates in Middle English lavendrye, derived from Old French lavanderie, which comes from lavandier. A self-service laundry is a launderette in British English or alaundromat in North American English.
Outsourcing laundry is the process of hiring a professional service to wash, dry, iron, and fold clothes and linens for businesses such as hotels, hospitals, schools, and sports teams. Many businesses choose to outsource their laundry for various reasons.
In India, men traditionally performed laundry work, and a washerman was referred to as a dhobiwala. A laundry facility, commonly known as a dhobi ghat, has given rise to place names associated with laundry work. The laundry includes washing with water and detergents, agitation, rinsing, drying, pressing, and folding.
In some cases, washing at elevated temperatures is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of chemicals and remove stains, while lower temperatures are recommended for washing cotton to prevent shrinkage. Professional laundry services are available in the market, catering to diverse price ranges.
Novice users of modern laundry machines may encounter accidental shrinkage of garments, particularly when subjected to heat. Wool garments, for example, have scales on the fibres that can stick together when exposed to heat and agitation. Other fabrics, such as cotton, may experience slight shrinkage due to the stretching of fibres during production. To mitigate these issues, some clothes are pre-shrunk.
