This letter/enquiry from last weekend's Sunday Times amused me.
I recently bought a couple of pairs of Summer shorts, and as I always do, I put them directly into the washing machine. I always wash new clothes before I would dream of wearing them.
I took off the price tag, etc, and threw them in the machine as they were. And just as the writer of the letter observed, they emerged 'inside out'; both pairs!
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I'm not the type to write Mr Angry, or even Mr Pleasant letters to The Times, but in this case I did offer some pretty obvious advice.
Of course you turn your pants inside out before washing, then if the theory is correct, they should emerge the right way round. Simple.
However, the 'why' question is still something of a mystery.
32 comments:
I don't know about that, but why is it that when you eat an orange that has just one pip, the pip is always in the last segment?
Please don't confuse matters; inside-out pants are complicated enough.
Why is there always one teaspoon in the bottom of the sink after doing the washing up?
Will return when someone gives you the answer, along with the answer to why you lose only one sock in the washing machine. And where the hell does it go
There is an odd sock heaven - did nobody tell you local alien?
Some washing machines are better at turning clothes inside-out than others. Built-in at assembly stage?
I often wonder why everything manages to get inside the duvet cover.
There should be a public enquiry about teaspoons.
Every time I open the washing machine there is a lone sock inside. I'll send it to you.
We have a drawer full; all odd.
They never mention it in the official booklet.
There's always a lump in the corner of our duvet; usually under my chin. Unless, of course I put the duvet in myself!!!
I'm absolutely with you on that one, Rachel, and if anyone knows the answer I'm sure that person will make a lot of friends.
The lost socks transform into new lives as Tupperware lids without matching bowls.
I was writing my comment at the same time as you, Cro, but published just after. The idea of you putting the duvet in yourself seems like a physical unlikleyhood.
At least they went up there and not elsewhere. I have a Tupperware bowl without a lid full of odd socks. I use them for dusting.
I have a drawer of lids without bowls but also one bowl with no lid. Don't know how that happened.
I have tried the reversed suggestion, in the past, and surprisingly, the items did not turn right side out. I have found that if there are buttons or zippers, that closing them before throwing into the wash, the items will likely stay right side out. Underwear, on the other hand, will remain inside out, no matter what you do to it, with the exception of tying each item into a knot before washing. Ugh!(no, I do not do this, but it seems it is the only thing that could work) Ranee (MN) USA
The secret of life!
A rarity; but when I do do it, I sleep much better.
I blame Imogen Rubinstein from Cornwall.
Rae; this is a subject that requires serious study by the world's greatest minds. Little point us trying to solve the problem.
She's an innocent party. I can't even remember what she was moaning about.
For some reason, I remember seeing a video about this once. It is because that is the way the item is originally sewn together - inside out. So that is its original natural state. At least I think that is what I remember that the video said! Don't know if it is true!?!
Laundry is complicated. When cottons are mixed with synthetics things stick together and even sometimes one item inside the other. Where do all the missing sox go?
I have little experience with duvets, but what I have deduced is that tucking the duvet into the cover goes much easier if you are a giant with long arms. It looks easy enough, but I never managed it unassisted.
My question: how do elastic elastic strapped items get tangled around my agitator or other clothes?
Pants in my washing machine do not turn inside out and nor would cotton shorts. One sleeve of a shirt always seems to do the inside out trick though.
Great post and responses brightened up my breakfast - it certainly is a puzzle!!
Tink; I think we'll leave the subject there. All too headache-inducing.
Turn the duvet cover inside out and remove accumulated fluff from the corners before washing.
Oh what a hysterical post with even funnier comments. Thanks Cro, for instigating this. I only ever find the washing ends up inside a duvet cover. And only when I get to the washline1 Thanks for the laugh. Jo
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