Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore

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. (Mar.)