Sweaky Clean!

Ingredients for successful clothes washing

While you may look at this and be horrified by the fact that I cant just throw my clothes in and switch them to the dryer in 45 minutes; Its not as bad as it looks. However laundry in Paraguay is one of the main reasons that women do not have free time, don’t get to play with their kids, read the newspaper or visit with their friends. At times over the past year washing my clothes has been an annoyance but has hugely helped me appreciate the guapa-ness (hardworking nature) of Paraguayan women.

Pileta: A sink

While many campo volunteers will tell you that a large wooden board will suffice – I very much enjoy my sink. It is a little low – which means I get a good thigh workout when washing clothes!

Palengana: a really big bucket

This is essential! It doesn’t matter where in Paraguay you live – to get your laundry done you must own a palengana! It serves as the “wash basin” if you will – without the agitate cycle.

Canilla y agua corriente: Faucet and running water

There are many days I am unable to do laundry because the water goes out! And while I do own a well, and have lots of respect for volunteers who get their laundry water, bucket by bucket from their well – I wait for the water to come back on!

Jabon en polvo: Laundry detergent
(can be powder or liquid – liquid is cheaper and gets the job done)

This is actually an old milk carton – but I have found that it works wonders as a soap shaker! When I have clothes with stain or an extra stinky part, a little extra soap is key!

Cepillo: Scrub brush

The kind that you use on your bathtub. Yes – that is what gets the real dirt out of things…and may be why all of my clothes are three sizes bigger than when I got to Paraguay and in slightly rougher condition!

Enjuage: Rinse Cycle

This is the rinse cycle - probably not what the Whirpool engineers have in mind for their new Neptune washer. There is a little faucet and its where the soapy clothes go before they get their final rinse with suavesante. There are lots of cords and tubes (they just came from motor in the well - do not be alarmed).

Suavesante: Fabric Softener (de-soaper)

Until recently, I thought fabric softener was for wimps. I don’t like slimy clothes – but I have found that instead of softening fabric, suavesante helps take the extra soap out of my clothes! Brilliant! It may look like a 2liter of milk…but it’s a trick…its not! And my friend Mila and the women in one of her women’s group made this bottle!

Piola: Clothesline

Without this, I have wet, stinky clothes – which just means I did a lot of work for nothing. Yes, those are my undies out to dry!

Note: This is a part of a new series that will try to give you a better look into my life and the life of Paraguayans. I was asked to show the regular everyday stuff – please send me suggestions on what you would like to see and learn. Email me at rachelknewby@gmail.com Cheers!