REVIEW:

Yep! I read a whole book about laundry. And why not? Laundry is something I do with much regularity, and odds are you do to.

Patric Richardson, who runs a laundry camp at Mall of America (seriously) and is known as the “Laundry Evangelist,” has written a little how-to/self-help/memoir about “finding joy in a common chore.” Now I don’t know if the book successfully taught me where the joy is in washing clothes, but it did highlight some winners and losers:

Winners:

• Warm water, express cycle wash for everything

• Wool dryer balls and crumpled up tin foil to reduce static

• Ironing (though I’ll admit I mostly skimmed this part ‘cuz I’m still not going to do it)

• Vodka! Spray it on clean clothes that just need to air out odors

• Natural laundry care products including vinegar, rubbing alcohol and baking soda

• The environment

• Well-made, quality clothing

Losers:

• Tide (and anything else that comes in a big plastic jug)

• Fabric softeners and dryer sheets

• Bleach

• Dry cleaning

• Cold water wash

• Fast fashion

Laundry Love is the rare book that I got from the library but am considering purchasing to have on hand for whenever I need to reference its advice on a particular fabric or stain. Plus, I find its cheerful cover just so irresistible! Maybe if I put it in my laundry room, it will actually bring me a little joy while doing this common chore. ;)

PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:

Doing laundry is rarely anyone’s favorite task. But to Patric Richardson, laundry isn't just fun — it's a way of life. After years of running Laundry Camp at the Mall of America for thousands of eager learners, he's ready to share his tips, tricks, and hacks — bringing surprise to this commonly dreaded chore.

Facing expensive dry cleaning bills? You'll learn how to wash everything — yes everything — at home. And those basically clean but smelly clothes? Richardson has a secret for freshening those too (hint: it involves vodka, not soap). Richardson’s handy advice shows us how to save time and money (and the planet!) with our laundry — and he intersperses it all with a healthy dose of humor, real-life laundry stories, and lessons from his Appalachian upbringing and career in fashion.