Laundry Lore: Surprising History & Fun Facts You Never Knew About Washing Clothes

Laundry Lore: Surprising History & Fun Facts You Never Knew About Washing Clothes

Laundry has been part of human history for thousands of years—and some of the early methods are downright wild. From Roman laundromats that used urine to sailors dragging their clothes behind boats, people have always found creative ways to get their clothes clean. 

Ancient sea voyagers didn’t exactly toss their garments into a washer and hit ‘Start.’ Instead, they placed dirty laundry in bags and tied them to the back of their boats, letting the ocean act as an early “spin cycle.” Meanwhile, in Ancient Rome, public launderers—called fullones—used ammonia-rich urine as a cleaning agent. Yes, seriously. 

Soapmaking has equally old roots. The first soaps date back to 2800 B.C. in Babylon, made from animal fat and ashes. Talk about DIY! Fast forward to 1782 when H. Sidgier invented the first hand-cranked washing machine in Great Britain. It was a wooden barrel-like contraption with rods—not quite today’s sleek stainless steel washers. 

In 1908, America got the “Thor,” the first mass-marketed washing machine. Made of wood, chains, and some serious grit, it changed how families cleaned clothes at home. Ironing wasn’t left behind either—long before modern steam irons, the Chinese used heated metal slabs, and the English relied on glass smoothers. 

But laundry didn’t just stay on Earth. NASA used to burn astronauts’ dirty laundry in the atmosphere! Now they’re researching ways to recycle worn clothing into plant food for long-term space missions. Oh, and if you’ve ever lost a sock? You’re not alone. The average person loses more than 1,000 socks in a lifetime. 

At WaveMAX Laundry, we’re proud to leave ancient history behind—except the fun parts. Our high-efficiency machines use half the water of old models and none of the mystery. Just clean, fresh, good smelling laundry in a modern, welcoming space. 

Want to solve the missing sock mystery once and for all? Stop by your nearest WaveMAX and experience laundry the way it should be—fast, efficient, and maybe even a little fun. 

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