Laundry is a universal term that refers to the washing of clothes and linen. However, in Australia, laundry can also go by a few different names. Australians have several unique terms for doing the laundry that provide insight into the culture and heritage of the country. In this article, we will explore the most common Australian terms for laundry and their origins. We will also look at some of the history of laundry practices in Australia. Understanding the Australian vernacular for laundry will give you a glimpse into the character of the people and place.
What are some common terms for laundry in Australia?
Here are the most popular Australian terms for laundry:
- Washing – This is the most common and generic term for laundry. “Doing the washing” refers to washing clothes, sheets, towels, etc.
- Laundry – Australia uses the standard English word laundry as well. “The laundry is piling up” is a phrase you’ll hear.
- Washhouse – A washhouse is a room or outdoor structure designated for washing clothes and linen. Historically, many Australian homes had a separate washhouse building where the washing machine and laundry tubs were located.
- Chores – Australians will often just refer to laundry as part of household chores. “I’ve got to get my chores done today” may include washing clothes.
- Washing machine – Australians sometimes use “washing machine” as a verb substitute for doing laundry. For example, “I need to washing machine those towels.”
- Laundry tubs – Old fashioned laundry was done by hand in big metal tubs. The term laundry tubs is still used to refer to the sink area designated for hand washing laundry.
- Wash day – A scheduled day of the week set aside for doing all the household laundry. “Monday is wash day.”
In rural areas and among older generations, you may also hear quaint terms like “taking the clothes down to the creek to bash ’em with a rock.” But in modern cities, standard English laundry terms are common.
What are the origins of Australian laundry terms?
The Australian vernacular around laundry derives from British and Irish origins along with some colorful Australian phrases.
- Washhouse – This term comes from England, where a separate washhouse building to do laundry was once common. The practice carried over to Australia, which copied English architectural styles.
- Tubs – Doing laundry by hand in a washtub originates with old-fashioned laundry processes before washing machines. The big metal tubs would be filled with hot water and soap for scrubbing clothes.
- Wash day – Scheduling a set day each week for laundry comes from England where there were communal village wash areas. Households took turns doing laundry on different days.
- Creek bashing – Early Australian settlers washed clothes outdoors in creeks and rivers. Beating the dirt out on rocks led to the phrase “bashing in the creek.”
So while Australians use plenty of standard English terms for laundry, the influence of British heritage and Australia’s rugged history as a frontier are evident.
What are some stereotypes about laundry and Australians?
There are a few humorous stereotypes about how Australians do laundry and their laundry habits.
- Always air drying – There’s a stereotype that Aussies always hang clothes outside to dry even in bad weather. Clotheslines criss-crossing backyards are iconic.
- High-vis workwear – Those iconic clotheslines are often draped with hi-vis yellow and orange work shirts and shorts. “Tradie” (tradesman) laundry is a stereotype.
- Stain removal – Australians have a reputation for being obsessive about removing stains thoroughly before drying clothes. Brands like Sard and Ajax are laundry icons.
- Washing in billabongs – An exaggeration is that rugged Aussies still use billabongs (ponds) to wash their clothes outdoors.
- Thongs – Australia’s classic flip flops, known as thongs, are teased about for their tendency to get grubby and need frequent washing.
These caricatures poke fun at Australia’s working-class roots and fondness for the outdoors. Like any stereotype, they shouldn’t be taken too literally!
What are some notable events in the history of laundry in Australia?
Laundry has come a long way since the early days of the Australian colonies. Here are some major milestones:
- 1788 – First Fleet arrives in Australia from England. Convicts and marines wash clothes outdoors in crude creeks and tubs.
- 1850s – Gold Rushes bring major population growth. Chinese immigrants open Australia’s first commercial laundries.
- 1856 – Washing machines are patented in Australia by Richard Mawhood and Walter Hancock.
- 1860s – Many middle-class homes have a detached laundry building or washhouse for doing laundry.
- 1920s – Electric washing machines become more affordable for working-class families.
- 1950s – Clothes dryers gain popularity after World War 2 and become common by the 1960s.
- 1970s – High-efficiency front loading washing machines are introduced in Australia.
- Today – Laundromats are in most towns. Almost all homes have a washing machine.
Advancements like washing machines, dryers, and detergents have revolutionized laundry over the past 200+ years in Australia. But some traditions like the outdoor clothesline remain strong cultural icons.
Why were early Australian homes built with washhouses for laundry?
The detached washhouse for doing laundry was a common feature of Australian home architecture in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here are some reasons why:
- Isolated dirt – Keeping the messy laundry tasks separate prevented dirt, odors, and moisture from pervading the main house.
- Space – The washhouse gave room for the large metal tubs, clotheslines, water heating stove, and mangle iron needed for laundry.
- Work flow – A dedicated building allowed laundry tasks from start to finish in one place – soaking, washing, boiling, rinsing, drying, ironing.
- Class divide – Wealthier homes hid laundry from view and relegated it to work staff. Poorer homes did laundry themselves in communal areas.
- Climate – Australia’s temperate climate allowed reasonable comfort for laundry workers unlike cold climates where laundry had to be indoors.
- Safety – Keeping fire hazards like heating stoves for hot water separate from the house reduced risk.
Today, washhouses are rare as laundry moved indoors into kitchens and bathrooms with the rise of electric appliances. But they represent an important part of Australia’s domestic history.
What are common features of outdoor clothes drying in Australia?
The outdoor clothesline remains a staple of Australian laundry. Here are some classic features:
- Hills hoist – Rotating hoist lines became iconic. The Hills brand spun off the concept in 1945 and dominated the market.
- Under cover – Shade clotheslines allow drying even on rainy days. Older homes added corrugated tin roofs onto washlines.
- Cross design – Criss-crossing clothesline designs maximize drying space. Grid patterns let clothes hang vertically.
- Sea breeze – Coastal areas utilize ocean winds to dry clothes faster. Side yards were ideal laundry spaces.
- Plenty of pegs – Aussies use clothespins or “pegs” abundantly to prevent clothes falling off in the wind.
- Bright whites – Bleaches and soaks historically helped achieve bright whites on sheets dried in the sun.
The outdoor clothesline remains standard even with indoor electric dryers. Their prominence reflects Australia’s abundant sunshine and breezy climate.
How energy efficient are different laundry methods in Australia?
With energy costs and environmental impact top of mind, how do common Australian laundry methods compare in efficiency?
| Laundry method | Energy use | Cost per load | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothesline drying | Very low | Almost none | High effort |
| Vented dryer | Very high | $0.50-$1 | High convenience |
| Heat pump dryer | Low | $0.20-$0.40 | High convenience |
| Washing machine | Moderate | $0.05-$0.30 | High convenience |
Key takeaways:
- Clothesline drying uses no direct energy but requires labor.
- Vented clothes dryers have large energy demand.
- Heat pump dryers are the most efficient electric option.
- Washing machine energy use varies by model.
So while labor intensive, outdoor clothes drying has by far the lightest environmental footprint of all laundry methods.
What are some common stains that Australians tackle when doing laundry?
Australia’s active outdoor culture and mining industry lead to some notoriously tricky laundry stains. Some quintessentially Australian stains include:
- Red dirt – The iron-rich ochre earth across Australia’s Outback sees plenty of red dirt ground into clothes.
- Grease – The grease stains from local cuisine like meat pies and sausage rolls are infamously stubborn.
- Vegemite – Scrapes of breakfast Vegemite on white school shirts is a classic laundry woe for kids’ clothes.
- Bindi eyes – Spiky bindi weed seeds cling to socks and clothes, leaving small dark stains.
- Sunscreen – Water-resistant sunscreen on clothes can cause lingering grease stains.
- Sweat – Australia’s heat and active lifestyle means plenty of sweaty workout clothes.
- Engine grease – DIY auto repairs mean greasy handprints on clothes for many Aussie tradies.
Tough local stains have led to Australians being laundry perfectionists! Stain removers like Sard Soak are household staples.
What are some popular beliefs about laundry and superstition in Australia?
Like any culture, Australia has its fair share of laundry superstitions. Here are some odd folk beliefs:
- Don’t wash sheets on New Year’s Day – this will wash a member of the family away!
- Never hang white clothes to dry on Good Friday or you could wash away your soul.
- Always do laundry during a waxing moon or clothes won’t dry properly during the waning moon phase.
- Washing a garment worn during a relationship breakup will help get over heartbreak.
- Doing laundry on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day can wash your parents’ love away.
These quirky superstitions stem from broader Western and Christian traditions intermingled with Australian mythology. While not taken seriously today, they add humor and color to laundry lore.
What are some classic advertising slogans for laundry products in Australia?
Australian advertisers have used some extremely memorable taglines to sell laundry products over the decades:
- “We use Sard Soak…because we’re worth it!” – play on the classic L’Oreal tagline in 1980s TV ads.
- “Tough on stains, easy on your hands” – Slogan for popular Ajax laundry detergent since the 1970s.
- “Hills will make you happy” – Cheery Hills Hoist slogan from 1960s print ads.
- “For the fashion white brightens” – Omo laundry detergent ads from 1950s-60s magazines.
- “Let the sunshine through – with Greezo stain remover!” – Jingle in 1960s radio spots.
- “Nothing gets clothes cleaner for less coin” – Rinso washing powder budget tagline in 1950s.
These memorable pitches tapped into Australian sensibilities and humor. They also evoked the cultural importance of laundry in everyday Australian life.
Conclusion
Laundry terminology, practices, and products hold a special place in Australian culture. From the iconic Hills hoist clothesline to coastal sea breezes, the Aussie laundry experience is unique. While keeping clothes clean is universal, Australia’s history and lifestyle have created a singular rapport with laundry. The nostalgia and pride evident in things like laundry advertisements underscore this cultural significance. So exploring the Australian vernacular and folklore around laundry provides real insight into the national character. From washhouse to washing machine, laundry offers a window into the Australians’ history and way of life.