Hanging out with the washing

University washing machines are foreboding creatures.  Gone is the gentle hum of domestic models, replaced with an industrial reject off the back of a lorry.  Implementing the separation of white and black (and all the annoying shades in-between) is difficult enough for a novice student.  There follows an agonising wait while your carefully-sorted delicates fight a losing battle with a furiously thundering machine.  My clothes have emerged reasonably unscathed from these episodes, but a mini sewing kit is advisable for the treatment of casualties.

Launderette etiquette is essential knowledge.  The rule that applies to other people’s dirty washing also applies to clean washing: DO NOT TOUCH.  Even if the culprit has clearly abandoned their load with intentions to return after a football match/shopping trip/pub lunch, their wares are to be left in the drum.  A trend for claiming machines by placing a Bag for Life on top of them is another act of possession and must be respected.

Next week, The Supermarket.