When our washing machine got out of customs, it was a blessing! Although all that machine did was agitate with an attached squisher that rang out our clothes as we fed each article of clothing through it.
Washing machines have gotten more energy and water efficient over time, but they are expensive (around $600 for a full-size basic efficient machine). Our used machine was donated to us years ago and now breaks all the time. It is rusting out, but I am so grateful still.
The poor in Nicaragua are on-the-whole very conscious about staying clean. Some of our workers will turn their clothes inside out for work when they have to get dirty and then turn them right-side out before going home. Their clothes are clean and ironed. Their clothes are washed on a pila and wrung out by hand. Clothes are sun-dried and often times because they cannot afford clothes pins or good wire, they hang their clothes on barb wire to hold them in place in the sun and wind.
Because they don’t have closets full of clothes or dryers, the iron is critical. It dries the clothes as well as making them presentable. And many Nicaraguans think Europeans and U.S. citizens are grubby and unkempt… fortunately our staff puts up with us none-the-less. 😊
With efficient machines maybe the poor could save some water, but the electricity is not affordable for the poor. Dryers are not used; only the iron, which is one of the first appliances people buy, to dry and look neat with their limited clothing.
In the wealthier places in the world, keeping one’s clothes clean takes lots of energy: washing, drying, ironing, dry cleaning, chemicals for cleaning, etc. For the poor of the world the energy is in the backs, arms, and hands… which makes for a cleaner world.
-Kathleen
Note: If you would like to give to the work of the CDCA, helping to pay for clinic daily washing needs, washing machine repairs, etc., give online here:
