Title: The Laundry Book
Author: Zach Pozniak & Jerry Pozniak
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group, Rock Point
Genre: Health Mind & Body, Home & Garden
Release Date: 15th October 2024
BLURB
Do laundry right the first time with The Laundry Book, the ultimate reference guide for all things laundry.
If you’re like most people, laundry is a never-ending chore that you want to spend as little time, effort, and money on as possible, and no one has ever properly taught you how to tackle this chore. Laundry influencer Zach Pozniak and his father, Jerry Pozniak, owners of the luxury dry-cleaning company Jeeves New York and fabric-care experts break down this tedious task into playful and easily digestible pieces for a straightforward, easy-to-navigate book that can live in the laundry room and make doing laundry even enjoyable.
Zach and Jerry provide authoritative information and advice as third- and fourth-generation dry cleaners on all matters of fabric care, including:
Science-backed and -tested tips and techniques
How to save time, money, and the environment by doing laundry correctly
An A-to-Z stain removal guide
What ingredients to look for when buying laundry products
How to read clothing care labels
How to extend the life of your clothes
When to call in the professionals
and much more!
This guide cuts through the noise and educates you on best practices for clean, vibrant, stain-free, and long-lasting results.
REVIEW
I’ll start with a little background about the authors of this book, it’s their family history really which kind of makes the book a tiny bit memoir-ish.
Jerry the father (of this father & son book duo), started in what became the family business in 1986 originally just to 'help out' but ended up never leaving!
Zach (the son of the duo) did other things until his father Jerry, talked him into joining him in the family business in 2018. Zach is the one that does the marketing and social media for the business. This father & son team are 3rd and 4th generation dry cleaners.
The business they own & operate is Jeeves New York and it concentrates on and deals with working on high value speciality garments
Jeeves the business, was originally established in London in 1969 and has expanded far and wide as there are now Jeeves stores in 17 cities all around the globe. Jeeves also has a Royal Warrant meaning they take care of the royal clothing including those beautiful beaded, bejewelled gowns the female members of the family wear.
Jeeves is a luxury dry cleaners, when asked why does Jeeves exist their reply is would you take a 'Ferrari car to a Ford garage' therefore Jeeves exists for those heirloom, bespoke, vintage, couture, one of a kind items that need cleaning.
In 2020 when the global pandemic hit business dropped by 85% overnight! So needing to find a way to diversify, is how this book came about.
The authors describe it this 'field guide to laundry' designed to be dipped in and out of, as and when needed.
The book is set out in Chapters and then those Chapters are split into different sections. Chapter 1 covers the history of laundry, which though I had ideas about I still found really interesting to read about. How “doing the laundry” began by beating clothes on rocks by the river where the flowing water took away the stains and odour. How the “Valcha” aka washboard was invented in the 17th century. It was also interesting to learn that the original laundry soap was olive oil & ash. Early laundry methods were time consuming and hard work, thankfully with the invention of washing machines things improved.
I loved the “fun fact” that in Germany if your washing machine is considered noisy you will not be allowed to use it during “quiet time” which is 10pm to 6am and the whole day Sunday!
The book also covers an over view of laundry products, laundry detergent such as – liquid, gel, pods, tabs etc, then there’s the laundry boosters, liquid fabric softener, dryer sheets, dryer balls, and the newer arrival of scent beads too.
There’s advice on leaving buttons undone, pulling zipper closed and what “like items together” really means. Stain removal advice stating to treat the stain immediately even if you cannot wash the item immediately, at the stain remover is then working.
There’s even a section on “How often should you wash your stuff” such as anything you perspire on should be washed after wearing once along with things like baby clothes, and underwear. Bath towels at least once a week, blankets monthly, the list continues.
The book advises different methods of drying clothes as well as the benefits of ironing versus steaming etc.
The book gives advice on how to choose a dry cleaner. It also covers the difference between a dry cleaner and dry cleaning. A dry cleaner uses a variety of solvents including water to clean cloth, whereas dry cleaning which is a specific art of cleaning using waterless solvents.
The book also gives website links for sites on best liquids etc, washing machines, dryers etc
along with 'pro tips' such as laundry bag for socks, or safety pin them together! Zach and Jerry also share stories of garments they've rescued.
This book really is a brilliant guide to everything laundry related, a book every household should have! Whether you're starting out in your first home doing your own laundry or you've been doing the laundry for a large household for years ...there is something in this book for everyone! Would make a perfect new home gift or for Uni students who will be doing their own laundry for the first time. It reminded me of CSE home economics lessons at school learning all the laundry care labels etc. It is the type of book you need sitting on the book shelf or on your e-reader or phone to refer to when you get that awkward stain on your favourite outfit!
