Shiny laundry area

Quick sparkle

The School for Housewives brings you short, practical, and thoughtful messages to inspire you to shake off feminism and make your home.

This is an AI-free zone.

If you’re new here, go to the homepage for the previous Lessons; the categories are arranged in the menu bar at the top.

Don’t let the best be the enemy of the good! You can tidy and sparkle your laundry area quickly, and be way more content. Sure, you can deep clean here and probably should soon, but maybe now is not the time.

Lint and detergent settling all over can make the whole job seem more sloggy than it needs to be.

Do this:

Take something out of the load you are about to wash that’s not super dirty and not hard to get clean, like a t-shirt or one of your not very best towels, or grab a handy rag. Get it damp and quickly wipe down the machines, sink, and counter if you have one (I don’t, but I have the shelf above). Turn it over and finish wiping*, using the clean side to rinse and shine. Throw it back into the load.

Put your detergent in and here’s the tip, if you use liquid: throw the cap in as well. It will wash up just fine. You can get it out before you transfer to the line or dryer. This way it doesn’t add drips to wherever you’re storing it.

Another tip: is there a cute little tray, bowl, or pretty soap dish you aren’t using elsewhere? Put it on your dryer (or nearby if you have that counter above your appliances) and toss the change, screws, marbles, and other flotsam onto it rather than just having it all over, hindering your process. Once in a while, give it a wipe too — which means you’ll have to distribute/toss whatever the miscellany is.

---

*I recommend liquid or powder, not pods. Often, depending on the hardness of your water and its temperature†, you can use much less detergent than called for, especially if you add Borax and/or washing soda.

†Warm water really does clean better, not to mention hot for towels. If you have trouble with your laundry quickly going sour, try using warm water. It will save you having to run the load again next time.

Albany Wiseman, Good Housekeeping Magazine

Thanks for being here! Apply my thoughts to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!

Who am I? Go here.

Be happy at home!

Could you become a free or paid subscriber? That way you won’t miss anything!

As a paid subscriber, you can comment and join the chat!

If you don’t wish to subscribe just now, I understand! How about…

For the longer version of this Substack, go to Like Mother, Like Daughter:

My 3-volume book on Order and Wonder in Family Life: