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National Laundry Day

Simplified daily chores, washing garments with ease, bringing freshness to fabrics, and maintaining a neat, vibrant wardrobe effortlessly.

Cleaning Clothing & Accessories Hobbies & Activities42

Marketing angleinferred

Drive sales of laundry appliances, detergents, and fabric care products by positioning National Laundry Day as a moment to upgrade routines, try new scents, or teach kids responsibility through laundry mastery.

Relevance 42medium intent

New detergent scent launch tied to 'make laundry enjoyable' messaging
Washing machine/dryer upgrade promotions for parents seeking to simplify chores
DIY laundry education content for parents teaching kids life skills
Fabric softener and specialty care product sampling campaigns

History

Ever since human beings have been wearing clothes, there has been a tandem need to do laundry. In fact, some people who have a disdain for laundry may indeed find an uncanny correlation between laundry and the biblical story of the fall of man. After all, if sin caused Adam and Eve to cover up and created the need for clothing, could it be said that laundry is the result of evil in the world? Some people certainly feel this way about this household chore!

The first washing machine to use a drum was built by a man named James King all the way back in 1851. Prior to that time, washing laundry was a manual process. And as for drying, a hand-cranked version came around in 1800 while it wasn’t until 1892 that an automated version made its way into the world.

Since that time, the process of doing laundry has become a much simpler and easier task, though so far no one has created a machine that will fold the laundry and put it away. Even so, with modern machines that are efficient and effective, having a big basket of clean laundry is easier than ever.

The Whirlpool Corporation started this day in 2019 to show appreciation for those in the family who do the laundry (mostly moms, but sometimes dads and kids too as well as the invention of the automated machines that make it so much simpler than it used to be. So get ready to spend this special day saying thank you to a family member who normally does the laundry – or give yourself a break from doing it – in celebration of National Laundry Day!

How to celebrate

Enjoy Doing Some Laundry

While it may be hard to imagine, there are some people out there who really enjoy the chore of doing laundry! They love the smell of the detergent, the feel of the sheets as they are pulled out of the dryer or the freshness of the towels when they are taken off of the clothesline after drying in the sun. In this case, the celebration of National Laundry Day might just be a time to put on some music, choose a new scent of fabric softener, and get to doing some major laundry.

Don’t Do Laundry!

For those who find laundry to be one of the most despised household chores, perhaps National Laundry Day would be the time to forgo doing laundry! Forget that pile of smelly socks and dirty t-shirts. Say no to those duvet covers and stained tablecloths. Instead, take a day off and do something else entirely. After all, the laundry will still be there tomorrow. (And hopefully the kids will still have a clean soccer uniform to wear to the game!)

Teach the Kids to Do Laundry

Kids tend to wear a lot of clothes. And sometimes it is questionable if the clothes they throw in the laundry were even worn or if they just tried them on, took them off immediately, and threw them in the dirty pile. In honor of National Laundry Day, perhaps it is time to teach them how to do their own laundry, which will help limit the amount of chores the parents have to do, teach them to be more responsible, and probably even make them think twice about throwing clean clothes into the dirty pile! Some experts say that by the time a child is between eight and ten years old, they should be able to load the washer and dryer on their own. Plus, they can be responsible for bringing their baskets of laundry from their rooms, sorting it into colors, and folding it after it is clean. Learn Some Simple Laundry Tricks National Laundry Day is a great time to find ways to make doing laundry a bit more efficient for everyone in the family. Consider implementing some of these laundry ideas in honor of the day:Select the right temperature. While whites may need hot water, darker colors and brights can be washed in cold to improve the life of the load and save on energy.Try Borax. This is a laundry booster that is natural, contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties, softens the water and even helps make whites brighter.Disinfect with white vinegar. This is another naturally occurring cleanser that can get rid of bacteria and odors.Hang laundry in the sun. Many people don’t realize that sunlight works as a natural disinfectant and also helps to bleach whites to their brightest. National Laundry Day Timeline2800–2000 BCE Early Evidence of Textile Washing in Mesopotamia Cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia describe laundering as a specialized task, with professional fullers and cleaners responsible for washing and treating garments and textiles. 1st century CE Roman Fullers and Public Laundry Facilities In the Roman Empire, “fullones” operated workshops in which clothes were cleaned in large vats using water, clay, and urine, illustrating that laundry was already an organized commercial activity. Middle Ages (c. 12th century) Medieval Fulling Mills Mechanized Part of Laundry Work Water-powered fulling mills spread across Europe, using wooden hammers driven by waterwheels to scour and thicken woolen cloth, reducing some of the most arduous manual pounding in textile cleaning. [1]1797 First Known Washing “Machine” Patent by Nathaniel Briggs Nathaniel Briggs of New Hampshire received a U.S. patent for a washing device, representing one of the earliest documented attempts to mechanize domestic laundry, although the detailed design is now lost. [1]1851 James King Patents Drum-Based Washing Machine in the United States James King’s patent introduced a hand-powered drum washer, a significant step toward modern machines because clothes could be tumbled in a rotating cylinder rather than scrubbed solely by hand. 1908 Alva J. Fisher’s Electric “Thor” Washing Machine The Hurley Machine Company introduced the Thor, designed by Alva J. Fisher, often cited as the first mass-produced electric washing machine, marking a turning point in automating household laundry. [1]1930s–1950s Rise of Automatic Washers and Tumble Dryers in Homes Fully automatic electric washers and vented tumble dryers became commercially available and then widespread in North America and Europe, shifting laundry from a full-day manual chore to a routine household task. [1]

Early Evidence of Textile Washing in Mesopotamia

Cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia describe laundering as a specialized task, with professional fullers and cleaners responsible for washing and treating garments and textiles.

Roman Fullers and Public Laundry Facilities

In the Roman Empire, “fullones” operated workshops in which clothes were cleaned in large vats using water, clay, and urine, illustrating that laundry was already an organized commercial activity.

Medieval Fulling Mills Mechanized Part of Laundry Work

Water-powered fulling mills spread across Europe, using wooden hammers driven by waterwheels to scour and thicken woolen cloth, reducing some of the most arduous manual pounding in textile cleaning. [1]

First Known Washing “Machine” Patent by Nathaniel Briggs

Nathaniel Briggs of New Hampshire received a U.S. patent for a washing device, representing one of the earliest documented attempts to mechanize domestic laundry, although the detailed design is now lost. [1]

James King Patents Drum-Based Washing Machine in the United States

James King’s patent introduced a hand-powered drum washer, a significant step toward modern machines because clothes could be tumbled in a rotating cylinder rather than scrubbed solely by hand.

Alva J. Fisher’s Electric “Thor” Washing Machine

The Hurley Machine Company introduced the Thor, designed by Alva J. Fisher, often cited as the first mass-produced electric washing machine, marking a turning point in automating household laundry. [1]

Rise of Automatic Washers and Tumble Dryers in Homes

Fully automatic electric washers and vented tumble dryers became commercially available and then widespread in North America and Europe, shifting laundry from a full-day manual chore to a routine household task. [1]

FAQ

What water temperature should be used for different types of laundry?

Most households can follow a simple rule of thumb: hot water is best for heavily soiled items, linens, and whites that can tolerate it, warm water works for most everyday colored loads, and cold water is safest for darks, brights, and delicate fabrics. Many detergents are now formulated to clean effectively in cold water, which also helps prevent shrinkage, color bleeding, and fabric wear while saving energy. Care labels on garments should always be checked first, since some fabrics like wool or silk can be damaged by hot or even warm water. [1]

How can people reduce the environmental impact of doing laundry at home?

Residential laundry can use significant water and electricity, but a few changes can lower its footprint. Washing full loads instead of many small ones, choosing cold water when possible, and air-drying clothing reduce both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Using high‑efficiency washers and dryers, cleaning the dryer lint filter regularly, and avoiding overdosing detergent also improve efficiency. In many climates, line drying or using an indoor drying rack for at least part of each load can noticeably cut household energy consumption.

Is machine washing or hand washing better for clothes?

Machine washing is more convenient and, with modern appliances, can be gentle on many fabrics, but it can also cause abrasion, stretching, or pilling if cycles are too aggressive. Hand washing is generally better for delicate items such as lace, silk, some wool garments, or those labeled “hand wash only,” because it allows more control over water temperature and agitation. For sturdy everyday clothing, a machine’s gentle or delicate cycle is usually sufficient, while special-care textiles benefit from hand washing or mesh laundry bags to limit friction and snagging.

At what age can children safely start helping with laundry, and what tasks are appropriate?

Child-development specialists suggest that laundry tasks should match a child’s age and abilities. Younger children, around 2 to 5, can help put clothes in a hamper and sort darks from lights with supervision. School-age children, roughly 6 to 9, can learn to sort loads, measure detergent, and move items between the washer and dryer when closely guided. By about 10 to 12, many children are able to run a basic load independently, provided they understand safety rules such as not climbing into machines and keeping detergents out of reach of younger siblings. Parents should always adjust expectations based on the child’s maturity and the specific appliances in the home.

How often do clothes actually need to be washed?

How frequently clothing should be laundered depends on the type of garment, activity level, and personal preference. Items worn close to the body, such as underwear, socks, and workout gear, generally need washing after each use due to sweat and bacteria. Shirts and blouses often need washing after one or two wears, while jeans, sweaters, and jackets can sometimes be worn several times if they are not visibly soiled and do not smell. Dermatologists note that over-washing can cause fabrics to wear out faster and sometimes irritate sensitive skin, so a balance between cleanliness, odor control, and garment care is recommended.

What are the common mistakes people make with laundry that damage clothes?

Frequent problems include using too much detergent, which can leave residue and stiffen fabrics, and ignoring care labels that specify water temperature and cycle type. Washing heavily soiled items with delicate fabrics, overloading the machine, or skipping zipper fastening and turning garments inside out can cause pilling, fading, and tears. High heat in both washing and drying can shrink or weaken fibers, especially in wool, cotton, and synthetic performance fabrics. Using appropriate cycles, not crowding the drum, and reading garment instructions help extend clothing life. [1]

How can people safely use bleach and other laundry additives?

Chlorine bleach, color-safe oxygen bleach, fabric softeners, and boosters can be useful but must be handled carefully. Chlorine bleach should be diluted and added at the correct stage of the wash cycle, kept away from colored items that are not bleach-safe, and never mixed with ammonia or acids due to the risk of toxic gases. Color-safe bleach and boosters can often be used on a wider range of fabrics but still require following label directions. Health and safety agencies recommend storing all laundry products out of reach of children, using original containers with intact labels, and promptly wiping up spills to prevent accidental exposure.