Laundry is the process of washing clothes and linen. The system of washing clothes is prevalent since the existence of mankind. Clothes were washed at the river banks in flowing water.

1. Benjamin Pure:
Laundry, Then and
Now

2. Benjamin Pure: Laundry,
Then and Now
• Laundry is the process of washing
clothes and linen. The system of
washing clothes is prevalent since
the existence of mankind. Clothes
were washed at the river banks in
flowing water. The running water
would carry the dirt causing stains
and smell. The clothes were then
dried in the open on strings tied
across two tree branches.
Benjamin Pure suggests washing in
modern day washing machines.

3. Then, more laborious
• The clothes were scrubbed and
squeezed and slapped against flat
rocks or wooden board. This
ensured the dirt was removed. A
reliable process but pretty
laborious. These techniques were
common across Europe, Japan and
India.
• In ancient Europe laundry was also
done in public wash houses. Water
was channeled or diverted from
river or any water source into two
wooden basins. One was for
soaking and the other for rinsing.
Benjamin Pure adds that with
growing industrialization soaps and
detergents were introduced.
Clothes were soaked in warm
water mixed with detergents. This
helped in releasing dirt and grime
and saved a lot of labor.

4. Now, mechanized and
easy
• Rapid industrialization has brought
great relief to the women folk. In
western countries, large buildings
have a special common area
dedicated as laundry room. There
are electrical washing machines.
Just add soap and program the
machine and the clothes are
washed, rinsed and dried in the
machine. These washing machines
are now affordable and many
homes have one in their house
itself. They can wash at their
convenience. No need to go with
bundle of clothes to the laundry
room.

5. • Benjamin Pure says that laundry
also means dry cleaners or laundry
services. They wash and iron the
clothes for a fee. These days such
services are also available online.
You can place the order and they
come and collect the clothes from
your home. This service is used for
wools, satins and expensive
clothes. They are washed with
chemicals since the fabric cannot
withstand the rough tumble of
washing machine. This process,
says Benjamin Pure, is called dry
cleaning.