A chore that is demanding for most women is washing the clothes of the household, especially when there is no access to running water or when the water has to be fetched from a far a way water source or when there is a water scarcity. Most women would have to wash about a dozen pieces of clothes on an average every day, for which they spend an hour or more. It is a chore that is exclusively delegated to women in most homes. I have a sense that most women do it voluntarily as an act of supporting the family. This is age old tradition of most homes more so in the rural areas.
Among the several chores women do at home, I presume that this is one of the difficult ones, which consume time and energy. Most women wash by striking the clothes on a washing stone. It is a physically exhaustive activity.
I was told recently that the texture, finish, colour, durability and the feel of the cloth get damaged by this and most cloth manufacturers do not advice this way of washing.
I am not sure whether it is a tactic of the manufacturers of washing machine to popularise the sale of the washing machines.
One thing is certain that the washing machines consume lesser water and give more durability to the clothes.
I have a suspicion that this is one chore women do for which she gets least recognition or acknowledgement. She does this almost daily with no complaint. She would get complemented for cooking good food. Most of us do not think that someone at home washed, dried and ironed our clothes and fail to say 'Thank you'.
A home is made hospitable by consciously appreciating all those who labour to make our life comfortable. It is by noticing what others do to us in our family, we enhance their self esteem and reward them to experience fulfilment.
M.C.Mathew.
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