Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes and Linens

Excellent Book

I was hesitant to get this book because I owned Home Comforts (which I love and have gifted a few times) and I didn’t love doing laundry. I forget why I changed my mind and got it. After a couple of weeks of reading this book and buying and trying new-to-me products and techniques, I have now become someone who LOVES doing laundry! Weird, I know. I loved reading about Cheryl Mendelson’s personal history and it helped me connect to my grandmothers and great-grandmothers and take the power back from the corporate giants who rely on us ruining our clothes so that we will treat our clothes as disposable and buy more. This book has made me feel empowered because my clothes are so clean and beautiful now, I know what each substance does and how to use it for great results. My washing machine with all of its special settings is now used the way it’s supposed to be used. I’m no longer afraid of using the mysterious settings. My laundry routine is more complex but shockingly so much quicker and easier. My husband has learned a lot too and now we soak his clothes, before washing them on a short gentle cycle. The initial grime that came off of our clothes from naive subpar laundering was shocking. We had no idea. Funny how having better than clean, fresh, clothes can increase your self esteem. No more discarded clothes because of stinky armpits, stains or looking worn out, shrinking, dulling, fading...etc. I guess what I’m trying to say is get this book and Home Comforts and use it and gift the knowledge to your children. Cheryl Mendelson has gifted the world with a incredible resource that she will always be remembered for.

While I knew how to do laundry since I was 7 or 8, I never really understood much else about it. What are the multiple cycles for? Why does the label forbid bleach but the garment turns out okay, anyway? What the heck are the triangles and squares on the really small labels? I didn't know, and I'm willing to bet those that taught me didn't know, either. Yeah, this is a long read, but it's very informative. Not only am I glad I bought this, but I'm glad I got this before we go house shopping. The author has a few tips on what to keep in and around your laundry room as well as what to look for when buying a washer and dryer. This is definitely worth reading through at least once.

Interesting book, actually answered a very specific question for me, which was just exactly what does vinegar do for laundry? I agree with many of her suggestions. For example, change the pillowcases 3 times a week. This seemed to astonish some reviewers as beyond sanity. It was only a helpful suggestion that she actually describes as such, which could perhaps reduce or limit allergens and bacteria and viruses that accumulate on the cases, maybe save time and energy in the long run. It's no odder than washing one's hair more than once a week or two. That hair gets rubbed onto the pillowcase and vice versa...She recommends various techniques which I thought were very useful, with an easy to understand explanation just how detergents, stain removers, soap, and amendments work. If one needs to know a very specific technique, heck, I would go to Youtube. This book is about managing the household laundry to whatever standard works, to reduce allergens, germs, improve health, rest, comfort, and maintaining the best appearance for one's clothes, perhaps, "greener" if one chooses. I was amused by her presentation because it is like an old style housekeeper's manual. Precise, in proper order, with scientific backup, and hands on experience expressed with rather restrained opinion. But for modern fabrics and techniques. Yet, it's still the same purpose, to run a household with sanitation, neatness, comfort, and budget. I guess it fills a gap that we had as schoolkids, required classes in "home economics". My mum used to tromp in the tub, boil the cloth diapers of my siblings, hang them on the line, this book is not that antiquated. There are lots of tips, hints, tricks books out there this isn't one. This book explains why some things work and some things don't. If you're tired of ruined garments and hot, uncomfortable bed linens, the book is worth the price for that. BTW, I have given myself extra resin-free cotton percale pillowcases that were on sale, change in 3 days, and wash them by hand with soap, hang in sunshine, and then iron them with sizing, Takes about the time a "soap opera" runs--no coincidence there. When I put my tired face on a cool clean smooth pillowcase that just smells like fresh air, I feel like a millionaire. There're are a lot of things I don't do, and I do not feel "guilty" one bit. But, if I want to know how, I've got this book.

I bought this because I really loved the author's "Home Comforts" book. A lot of the information in this book is also in Home Comforts, but not all. This book has a lot of very helpful information about fabrics, as well as their care, that doesn't seem to be readily available elsewhere, even on the net. For example, I am planning to make some new curtains for a very hot west window, and I tried to find on the net which has better sun resistance, cotton or linen. When I couldn't find the answer there, I remembered I had this great reference book, which of course has the answer (linen). I only wish the author would expand the book to include more on other clothing items like shoes. Highly recommended for every domestic goddess.

An incredible book! Well written, and well thought out. For me it is much more a master thesis in the art of laundry or a textbook, versus a simple guide to doing laundry better. The knowledge you will gain from reading and studying this book will be emended. But I fear many may find it too much work, but like anything else you get what you put into it!. I think three cheers to Cheryl Mendelson for taking this subject matter so seriously and to the publisher is trusting her instincts to write such a book! Thank you!

For serious laundry lovers (me). Lots of details, readers will pick up lots of great tips. In depth topics.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE SHOULD READ!!!!