This one gets me a lot. When you have a little over half a load of laundry or so, and you pass by it sitting on the floor/in the basket/on the washer and you've got the time, and you think, "what the hell, maybe I'll wash that shit." But then you might think, "Well, I should just wait until I have a bit more of a full load before washing." Which leads to the question: why don't you?
Is it because you want to conserve water by waiting until you have a proper amount of laundry to wash?
Is it because you'll be using unnecessary energy to run the washer when it's barely half-full?
Or is it because of the side effects of the above two things, and you're just trying to save money.
I definitely turn off light switches and unplug things etc. when I can to conserve energy, as I don't think it ends up having much effect on NYC power bills anyways. Same with running water. However, laundry is probably more a factor of me just being lazy. And unless forced with a "can I stretch these underwear another day?" decision, I can usually let it ride.
I actually don't own a washer/dryer anymore (actually I do temporarily, but not own, just have one in my house). Never mind, I'll get to that later.
This is why I love conservation; you can really just be a cheap-ass at heart while acting like you care to save the environment. I mean, there are certain levels of extremes to conversation and living like a caveman, and also situations when "conserving" truly means trimming the fat (you don't REALLY need HBO, although their shows rock).
This all goes kinda hand-in-hand with the economic situation today. Everyone is cutting things back, being more careful about not wasting resources, driving smaller more fuel efficient cars etc., which are all great things, but people are motivated more by monetary reasons than a sudden urge to be nicer to the planet. Sure, the more you do these things, you realize the good in them and that you can make a difference (not trying to sound like Bono here). I'm also concerned that once the economy turns back up and gets back higher than it was (it will), people will go apeshit and you know, just waste! No more politicking and philosophy.
I really only wanted to write about when is the right time to do the laundry, in terms of amount. I can't say there's ever been a piece of clothing that I desperately wanted to wear, and just washed that with maybe a few other things so I could wear it. Although I'll wash a solo shirt/shorts from the gym if I'm leaving on a trip for a few days, for obvious reasons.
I also never separate the blacks and whites, unless it's the first time washing a shirt, maybe a few times after jeans. I also don't own anything nice that's white.
Using laundromats definitely changes things up a bit. I always shove as much as I can possibly fit into these things. The best part is if that you have too much for one, just upgrade in size to the next largest washer. Simple. Costs you more though. And takes longer, since it needs more water, which is why I prefer to split it up into two smaller washers running side by side, but only if both has enough clothes to warrant it. Otherwise, I upgrade, and spend the extra quarters.
Finally, there is no greater joy than starting a wash, doing something else productive like paying bills, running to the grocery store, vacuuming, returning to find the wash just finishing, and throwing that junk in the dryer, only forgetting to check it until the clothes have wrinkled. But that's sitting in office chairs is for, to flatten them suckers out.
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