The image of the clean-lined, hygienic, automated washing machine is deceiving. Although these domestic servants fill, wash, rinse, spin and drain automatically, someone still needs to sort dirty clothes into dark, light or white loads, select detergent; load the washer; add softener during the rinse cycle; empty the machine; and then dry and iron the cloths. In addition, standards of cleanliness have changed since the introduction of the first washing machine. Today, clothes that are washed after being worn just once, specialized fabrics require specialized care and clothes are expected to be bright, as well as fluffy and fresh smelling. All of these factors contribute to wash loads that require someone's time and attention. Statistics show that usually that someone is still a woman. Indeed, despite enormous improvements, the technology of washing machines never fully liberated the women who used them.

Today, laundry chores are still largely handled by women who are also employed outside the home like their male counterparts. The last frontier in washing technology remains to be conquered: one that enables new and fairer ways of sharing love, leisure and laundry.

Concern for water and energy efficiency has prompted some manufacturers to rethink washing machine design. The horizontally oriented, front-loading washers by Miele, for example, require less water to clean the average wash load. The super-fast spin-cycle extracts more water than the conventional top-loading household washer, cutting down on drying costs. Clothes, Washers and Tumble Dryers by Miele, 1994 (L31148).

Note about the author:

Susan James has a Master's degree from the school of Architecture, McGill University. She worked as Exhibit Production Researcher on “Love, Leisure, and Laundry” at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Susan has since graduated from medical school in 2005 and is currently completing her residency training in Radiology at the University of Toronto.