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The Laundry Book: The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Clothes and Linens

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Lighten your load 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 the task. TikTok personality Zach Pozniak and his father, Jerry Pozniak, fabric-care experts and owners of the luxury dry-cleaning company Jeeves 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 on all matters of fabric care,   Science-backed and -tested tips and techniques​ ​How to save time, money, and the environment by doing laundry correctly​ How to read clothing care labels​ How to extend the life of your clothes​ What ingredients to look for when buying laundry products​ How to reduce wrinkling, as well as iron, fold, and store your clothes​ When to call in the professionals ​An A-to-Z stain removal manual and so much more!​ This guide aims to cut through the noise and educate you on best practices for clean, vibrant, stain-free, and long-lasting results.

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2024

43 people are currently reading
219 people want to read

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Jordan.
76 reviews
October 8, 2024
At the risk of sounding dramatic, but this book is life changing! Not only do you get detail instructions on specific stains, fabrics, products, but they actually explain the *why* behind the uses and reactions between stains/products/fibers. The appendix alone is worth buying this book!

Laundry is something that is commonly overwhelming for people, and Zach + Jerry really break it down in a way that feels attainable and enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley + the author for the ARC!
Profile Image for Sandra "Jeanz".
1,260 reviews178 followers
October 27, 2024
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!

Great guide, every houselhold needs to have this knowledge at hand
Profile Image for A Bookworm Crafts.
300 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2024
As a mum of two surprisingly messy children, I do a lot of laundry! I was pleasantly surprised to discover several tips and tricks in The Laundry Book that should make the whole process more efficient.

First off, the book provides a quick overview of the history of laundry before detailling the various ingredients used in laundry detergent and fabric softener. The next section focuses on how to prepare your clothes to be washed. This is where I discovered I've been doing things wrong all this time, as apparently all buttons should be unbuttoned to lower the stress on the button thread (meaning, in the long run, less buttons to sew back on!). The art of stain removal is discussed in the next section, which provides some scientific explanations on the various types of stains as well as specific advice for removing them, with more detailed provided in the A-Z Stain Removal Guide at the end of the book. The following section is on Washing Basics, from loading the machine to dealing with washing machine problems and maintenance. My favourite tip from this section was the "hand test" to check that the washing maching isn't too full. Drying Basics is covered in the next section, with helpful tips on how to avoid wrinkling, which is then explored even further in the section entitled Getting the Wrinkles Out. The next section is on Hanging and Storing Clothes, the following chapter on What Drycleaners Do, and the one after that explains how often items should be washed (great for answering the popular questions of how often pyjamas and bedsheets should be washed). The final chapter is entitled The Joy of Clean Clothes and is followed by appendices on garment care labels, stain removal, and how to care for different fabrics/special items.

As you can tell from the breakdown, this book was really comprehensive and full of practical, helpful tips.

A recommended read for anyone who does laundry on a regular basis!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for MarryAnn.
293 reviews5 followers
February 5, 2025
I've seen Zach's videos before I've seen this book available on NetGalley for ARC readers and needless to say, I jumped to the opportunity to read it.

As someone who's in her mid twenties I had the opportunity to do laundry quite a bit and remove my fair share of stains, however, I found quite a few new things and learned that some things I knew (but never tried myself) are actually myths and don't help with cleaning at all.

I want to keep my clothes looking as good as possible for a long time and cleaning them is a big part of this. Learning how to remove stains and how to care for different fabrics is really important, not to add how much detergent to use, the pros and cons of fabric softener. But it's not only about the washing part, you get to learn more about drying, removing the wrinkles and storing your clothes properly. Information about the difference between dry-cleaners and home cleaning and why sometimes you should actually pay for this service. I liked the graphics that present how people do laundry around the world, but combining the washer and dryer feels misleading, since personally I use a washer, but not a dryer, so I'm part of two categories and I feel like a good part of Europe is as well (at lest in my country, drying your clothes on a clothesline is more common)

In conclusion, I find this book to be a great resource for young adults or anybody just starting doing laundry, as long as you want to really do it as correct as possible and not just throw everything into the washing machine, add some detergent and softener and call it a day.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion
Profile Image for Carole Barker.
760 reviews30 followers
October 15, 2024
An overall guide to cleaning your clothes properly

OK, let me start by saying that I am NOT someone who loves to do laundry…but since I nonetheless have to do quite a bit of it, I was intrigued to see if this book would help me get this necessary task done well. The answer to that: yes, it does. The book assumes that the reader has never washed a load of laundry in their lives (hmm, perfect for young people headed off to college or to their first apartments perhaps?) and deals with topics as basic as how to read the care labels on your items (and why it is important to do so) and how to sort clothes (in a macro and micro way, depending on your needs and set-up). Even if you have those areas under control, there is plenty within the covers to learn, including a great breakdown of types of stains, how to treat them and with what types of products, and what to do when a stain happens when you’re out and about. There’s even a chapter on how to best hang and/or store your clothes once they’re all clean. The authors are the owners of a high end dry cleaning company, so they know of what they write. While the price for the relatively short (about 200 pages in total) book may seem a little on the high side, if its tips can help you save one stained item from permanent ruin you will have more than made back your investment. I think this book makes a nice addition to a household’s reference library and highly recommend it. My thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Book/Rock Point for allowing me early access to a copy of The Laundry Book.
Profile Image for Annie.
4,719 reviews85 followers
October 29, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Laundry Book is an interesting philosophical and comprehensive guide to laundry and textiles by Zach & Jerry Pozniak. Released 15th Oct 2024 by Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a genuinely engaging thorough tutorial with solid information aimed at extending the life of our clothes, taking care of the items we have and saving time, using scientifically based appropriate cleaning products, and making a household chore less unpleasant (or even actually fun). It's a progressive guide, from the very very basics of what/how/why of textile cleaning and preservation, through available products (and what they do, specifically), sorting, cleaning, washing, drying, removing wrinkles, hanging/storage, what dry-cleaners do, and other laundry tidbits and interesting asides.

If it's not ground-breaking, it certainly is interesting and a good reference.

Five stars. Beautifully written, engaging, warmly funny, and full of valuable info. It would make a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference shelf, or gift-giving.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,864 reviews9 followers
October 17, 2024
Overall, the book gives a very good introduction to all things laundry. As someone who has been doing laundry for many years, most of the information wasn't new although some of the anecdotal pieces were interesting and new to me. So, if you are comfortable in the laundry room and have had to treat, well, most of the stains that can affect everyday clothing, this book probably won't introduce any new tidbits of information or make your life in the laundry any easier. I do, however, think that this book has a lot of value for someone who has never had to do laundry or who has had limited exposure to it. My kids who are almost ready to move out and take on their own households could and would get a lot of value out of this book and being able to reference. Sure, you can look up some of this information online with a quick Google search, but I have found so many contradictory tidbits of information online that, unless you are an expert already or familiar with the laundry game, you're as likely to find something completely wrong as something completely right. So, if someone has never done laundry before, it's nice to have a reference guide that is reputable and provides the right information.

I am seriously thinking about buying this for each of my kids when the are ready to move out. It may save me a few phone calls to ask for advice on what to use to remove grease stains or ketchup.

* I received an ARC via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Anjana.
2,558 reviews60 followers
November 19, 2024
This is a rare occasion where I am reviewing a book before I have read it all the way through. This might be because it is not the kind of book one can read the same way one reads other books.

There is a lot of knowledge and background that the authors bring to the table. We begin with their credentials and then move on to very specific details. I once went on a crash course for sewing and the teacher was very serious about the theory aspect and I realised much later how much more of an effort I should have made. Starting this book brings similar feelings. Talking about fabrics and kinds of stains, even going as far as the history and current washing styles around the world may seem like a stretch, but to someone like me it adds a lot of substance to my reading.

I appreciated the effort and the way the book is laid out and I think it’s definitely one that people would love to use at home ( even if they don’t realise it until they need it). I personally enjoy the tedium of laundry because it’s probably the rare occasion I clean up a little. This book, therefore, is one I would love to have in print someday. I would recommend it to others who enjoy this idea to make our washing more efficient and clothes longer lasting.

I received this book thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my fondness for laundry and my reading through the book.
Profile Image for LiterallyLoriB.
320 reviews47 followers
November 5, 2024
If only The Laundry Book had come into my life 20 years ago! This ultimate laundry guide by fabric-care experts Zach and Jerry Pozniak offers a refreshing take on a task we often dread. With easy-to-follow tips from TikTok personality Zach and his father Jerry, owners of the luxury dry-cleaning company Jeeves, this book is both practical and enjoyable, making even the most stubborn stains feel conquerable.

The book breaks down every aspect of laundry, from understanding care labels to prolonging the life of your clothes. It covers science-backed methods to save time, money, and even the planet, all while keeping your wardrobe looking fresh. The A-to-Z stain removal guide is a game-changer, and the advice on choosing products and reducing wrinkles is invaluable.

The Laundry Book is a must-have reference for anyone looking to tackle laundry with confidence and ease. Whether you’re a laundry novice or a seasoned pro, this guide is packed with insights to lighten your load and make laundry day less of a chore.

Thanks #NetGalley for this amazing opportunity read this title in advance.
Profile Image for Amy.
3,727 reviews96 followers
May 5, 2025
I read a review for this book in a [library] professional journal and knew I just had to see this!

Anyways, this did not disappoint. I actually found it to be quite helpful, especially with a Pro Tip for How Not to Lose Socks. The goal of this book is to help readers make this never-ending chore, easier.
It is almost a step-by-step guide, and for being a small book (just over 200 pages), it provides a lot of information, including a History of Laundry, information on laundry detergents, drying agents, washers & dryers (and how to clean them), ironing vs steaming, and more!

At the end of the book is detailed information for how to remove a wide variety of stains and an index.

Most interesting and a great resource for all!
Profile Image for Jessamine.
63 reviews
October 15, 2024
I am useless at laundry. I bung the washing machine on 30, add some detergent and hope for the best. Often I have had ruined garments as a result.

This book is a welcome addition to my bookshelf. Filled with tips and useful knowledge to help even the most novice of launderers. I love the design of the book too - simple and elegant and not garish so will look perfect on display. The illustrations inside are lovely too.

At 105 pages, this is a short and sweet guidebook with easily digestible information. Don’t hesitate to buy and add to your collection! I’ll be referring back to this regularly.
Profile Image for Erianne.
240 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2025
I love me a good laundry book but I felt I had a lot of this existing knowledge already.

I still learned new things while reading and would recommend it for someone who wants to learn the basics (and isn’t obsessed with laundry like me).

I thought the stain removal guide was super helpful at the end, however it can also be found at their website (TheCleanClub.com) and has a handy search function.

I got this book from the Library, and I’m thankful I did because but I can’t see myself referring back to it again later. It was a nice informative read, but not a reference book to always keep on the shelf.
Profile Image for Nick Salenga.
320 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2025
This is a great book that will break down this tedious task & provide authoritative information as 3rd & 4th generation dry cleaners for ultimate laundry reference guide through playful & & easily digestible text that cut through noise & educate you on best practices for clean, vibrant, & stain-free laundry.
Profile Image for Daisy.
3 reviews
July 9, 2025
Absolutely enjoyed this book! It’s very informative, easy to read and understand but at the same time goes into detail of certain stains and stuff with best ways for washing your laundry for the longevity of your clothes. Totally recommend it to anyone and honestly it would be a great wedding registry/bridal shower/home warming gift to give to any new couple.
Profile Image for Lexi Lott.
27 reviews
October 29, 2024
Read the digital version, and I wish I had a copy of this physically to reference often. What’s not to love about two experienced laundry experts sharing all their tips that are practical enough for the average person?
Profile Image for Amber.
3,668 reviews44 followers
December 25, 2024
I knew I was doing my laundry wrong by chucking it all in there and hoping for the best but I was so overwhelmed with figuring out what the right way was. This book really helped me ease anxieties about the proper way to do it. Maybe I'm becoming a real adult at 33??
Profile Image for Michelle.
375 reviews
August 22, 2025
What a lovely read of a guide that covers what one would think is a dry topic in perfect digestible and helpful chunks. The book itself is atheistically pleasing as well. I definitely learned some things!!
Profile Image for Jacklyn Belcher.
42 reviews
May 15, 2025
This is awesome and its organized perfectly and the information is succinct
268 reviews2 followers
August 6, 2025
Useful to have these tips all in one place. Also helpful that these are experts giving tried and true remedies.
608 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2025
When I told my daughter I was reading a remarkable book about laundry, she told me I really needed to get out more. But what I said was true! This reference book on cleaning clothes was life changing! At least for me.

The well qualified authors explained with clarity the meanings of all those washing instruction symbols. The pair gave the best stain solutions and discussed how cleaning products actually work.

There were many helpful tips. Some I knew, others surprised me. The whole book was inspiring enough to make me want to put another load in the washer.

As a reference book you only need to look up topics as needed. Yet the clear writing makes it easy enough to read from cover to cover (which I did).

Not only is this a good book to own, it would make a lovely present for someone just starting out and not well versed in domestic ways.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,149 reviews43 followers
December 24, 2024
Anything you ever wanted to know about laundry and more. Covers everything from how to treat stains to how to sort clothes and prepare them for washing.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group- Rock Point for providing a digital copy.
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