In California, the laundry room is on the 2nd floor, between the bedrooms. It’s only 10 steps away from any room, so dirty clothes and linens can easily be deposited in the washer, with little effort. A clockwise spin of the dial and I can quickly, securely walk away, knowing that within about 20 minutes the wash will be done. Then at my leisure, at any time of the day or night I can simply pop the clean, damp clothes into the dryer. Again, a quick dial adjustment and I walk away. The process is a little different in Italy (and most of Europe, I suppose).
The “Jiffy” Cycle
First, the washing machine is pretty particular. I’ve figured out that it will accommodate about 10 articles at a time. If the load is bigger than, say, a basketball, that means there are 2 loads—not one. After trial and error I have discovered that one click counterclockwise results in the shortest wash cycle: 42 minutes! I push the avvio, start button and the water starts filling the tank. “Oh, wait! I dropped a sock!” I stop the machine and attempt to open the door. Not possible. Apparently, there is a locking device that engages when you push the avviobutton. The sock will have to go in the next load. It has no chance to tumble with its mate in this washload. She is locked inside, with her heel pressed against the window, feeling for her partner.
Now, during the 42 minutes, no other major electrical appliance can be used since it will trip the breaker. No water can be used anywhere inside or outside the house. That means, no showering and no watering plants. There is little to do but wait out the machine.
Between the Lavender and the House
When the readout on the washer shows 4:00 I shift into gear. I slide the wooden closet door aside to get to the standino, the metal folding drying rack. I take it and the plastic clothes pin basket outside and put the standino on the lawn between the house and the lavender. I hang the clothes pin basket on the underside of the rack, just within easy reach and go back inside.
Argh! My 4 minute task has only taken 3 so I stand and watch the readout, willing it to click. It refuses. Finally, the cycle has run its course the readout goes to 0:00 and the wash is ready—almost. I try the door but am denied entry. After a 30 second delay, the locking mechanism releases and the captive clothes are freed.
A Laundry “Room with a View”
I gather the laundry and take it to the standinowhere I strategically arrange the wash. Socks have to be clipped together and draped over one of the spokes or there won’t be enough room. The orphan sock creates a slight loss of efficiency, since she must be clipped with her toe folded over. Towels must be draped facing the sun and turned every 30 minutes. Of course this helps them to achieve their perfect crispness, which Em says serves the same exfoliating purpose as a loofah. Shirts are opened and draped over one end until they are merely damp, at which time they can be put on hangers and then flutter in the breeze, sails without ships.
Jeans are a different matter. I can only wash one pair at a time and drying time is doubled. Even in the sun, they have to be turned often so that the seams dry. Again, this process guarantees optimum crispness. (See the loofah reference above.)
Finally, several hours later the laundry is finished and put away. I look into the hamper at the lone sock. “Sorry, Guy. I promise to include you next week.”
When the season changes I’ll tell you about winter laundry.
August 25, 2010
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