Laundry Love

July 6, 2020
Richardson, a self-described “laundry evangelist,” debuts with a cheery and thorough guide to all things laundry. Rejecting common practices of using commercial laundry detergents and dry cleaning, the author provides an eco-friendly list of cleaning essentials (such as bleach and phosphate-free products), busts laundry myths (such as that bleach whitens dingy towels), and demystifies various washing machine functions. Tips and tricks for washing clothes and stain removal at home are the main focus, including an inspired hack of washing a baseball hat in the dishwasher. The art of drying, sorting, and storing is explored as well, with different tips for shirts, sweaters, socks, and casual pants. A strong case is made for washing clothes less frequently, which Richardson says is better for both the clothes and the environment, and he also recommends doing all of one’s laundry on one day every week. In addition to advice, Richardson throws in tales of laundry drama, including a highly entertaining story concerning permanent marker and a wedding dress on the bride’s wedding day. Richardson’s love for doing laundry is so infectious that readers just might find themselves dreading this mundane chore a bit less.

August 1, 2020
Who would have dreamed a book on laundry could be so entertaining??and educational? Trust Richardson and Miller, two fashion-industry veterans who know their alpaca from vicu�a. To start, the authors destroy many of the tips inculcated by parents and grandparents: Wool garments can't be washed. Wash clothing on different cycles. Use the ubiquitous wire hangers. Et cetera. Gracefully and with humor and some tact, they lead readers through the valley of dirt to the heights: sorting and prepping, drying recommendations, using an iron the right way, and getting rid of spots and stains. Along the way is a narrative enhanced by personal anecdotes as well as helpful tips and lists: three guidelines for drying, supplies needed to deal with specific issues, nine friendly laundry statistics, and the top ten reasons to love a laundromat. A few of the directions would be more indelible if illustrated, like the "how to iron" section. It's truth in print that laundry just might become your new best hobby.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)