Why are the washing machines so small here?

I hear this all the time, Americans saying that they can’t keep up with the laundry especially since many of the British models are both a washer and dryer in one.

There are a couple reasons for this:

One reason is that there isn’t much space to store the machines so the smaller the better. Many houses have their washer in their kitchen. It’s close to the water line which means its less costly to install.

Another reason is most Europeans have different washing habits than Americans. They will wear something more than once as long as it a) smells clean and b) looks clean. How many times  have you worn something for an hour or two and throw it into the hamper? I have heard of one family where their children changed for school; when they got home they changed; when they came in from playing changed and changed into different pyjamas every night, no wonder she couldn’t keep up with the laundry!

Because energy is so expensive, they often clothesline dry their clothes or use the racks to hang inside when the weather isn’t favourable. They probably dry their socks and underwear. Also they have a thing called an airing cupboard (where the boiler is) where they will hang clothes to dry from the heat of the boiler.

If you are trying to keep up with your laundry, rethink of the amount of times you change a day, is it necessary? It will save you work, time and money, as well as help save the environment, if you just try to adjust your dressing habits. Washing as soon as you have a load to wash is another way to keep up. I have a friend who does more laundry than I do and she lives alone!

You can clothesline dry a load while you another load.

It will take being flexible in order to adjust to how things are done here. I know I have and still am doing it. I have learned that there is more than one way to skin a cat and every day I am learning something new.  One thing I have to say is just because it is different doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

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