# Whose job is it to check pockets for Chapstick when doing laundry? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 19, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192 "2012-03-19T03:00:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/81 "2012-03-20T17:42:59Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I bought my husband a [valet chair](http://www.amazon.com/Proman-Manchester-Mahogany-Chair-Drawer/dp/B0002XC29M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332178109&sr=8-1) so that he could empty his pockets and lay out his clothes for the next day, and he uses it religiously. I paid $25 or $35 for it at a local thrift shop. He was just tossing his pocket litter all over the place, but this item has really helped him keep his shit together. Or at least his pocket shit. > > He absolutely refuses to wear lip balm, by the way, no matter how much he might need it. However, he does tend to put small bits of machinery in his pockets. When those little tire valves stems or spark plugs or whatever go through the washer and dryer, well, it does the washer and dryer no good at all. And usually does the odd bits of machine parts no good at all, either. Boy do I want me one of them chairs !! If we could arrange to run a power cable into the back and I could tuck the 91 chargers I use into that drawer in addition to house keys bundle, car keys bundle, chapstick, money clip, loose change, swiss army knife and spare Droid X battery, I’d be a happy guy. So, does he rub the small bits of machine parts across his lips? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/82 "2012-03-20T20:33:10Z")
I don’t know WHAT he does with the small bits of machinery, and I’m afraid to ask. His chair doesn’t have a drawer, but rather has a tray, where he puts his pocket litter. Right now, he charges his phone on the bedside table, so that he can answer it if he’s asleep. However, it would be fairly easy to make that tray into a docking station. Try looking in some thrift shops, I frequently see valet chairs in them, and they are so incredibly useful that I’m always a little surprised that people are willing to let them go. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/83 "2012-03-20T21:56:02Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > However, adults are presumably competent to remove everything from their pockets, and to remove jewelry and such, before putting stuff in a hamper. If you haven’t cleared the items for the washer/dryer, then don’t put them in the hamper. Sorry, I have a different opinion. I could check all my pockets before I put clothes in the hamper, but I don’t want to. It’s not that hard to check pockets before you put clothes in the washer. And it’s safer anyway, in case someone forgot something important in their pockets. If other people want to have other rules for their own house, fine by me, but I’m not convinced that refusing to check the pockets before putting the clothes in the washer is a superior solution. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/84 "2012-03-20T21:57:32Z")
Really, both persons. But I was in a similar situation to the OP and my solution was pretty radical: _I started washing my own clothes_. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8dc957/32.png) [@Christopher\_Robin\_Davies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Christopher_Robin_Davies)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/85 "2012-03-20T22:01:18Z")
The person doing laundry should check but with the proviso that they can keep anything they find if they want it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/86 "2012-03-20T22:05:02Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Sorry, I have a different opinion. I could check all my pockets before I put clothes in the hamper, but I don’t want to. It’s not that hard to check pockets before you put clothes in the washer. And it’s safer anyway, in case someone forgot something important in their pockets. If other people want to have other rules for their own house, fine by me, but I’m not convinced that refusing to check the pockets before putting the clothes in the washer is a superior solution. I don’t consider it an either/or situation. Both persons should be doing it. Nothing should go in the hamper without being emptied, and the person doing the laundry should double check. ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/87 "2012-03-20T22:11:14Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Sorry, I have a different opinion. I could check all my pockets before I put clothes in the hamper, **but I don’t want to**. It’s not that hard to check pockets before you put clothes in the washer. And it’s safer anyway, in case someone forgot something important in their pockets. If other people want to have other rules for their own house, fine by me, but I’m not convinced that refusing to check the pockets before putting the clothes in the washer is a superior solution. That’s sounds very peculiar to me. What if the person who puts the clothes in the washer also doesn’t decides that they don’t want to. What happens then? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/88 "2012-03-20T22:14:17Z")
If spots need pretreating, is that the responsibility of the launderer, or are clothes in the hamper assumed to be “machine-ready” ? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/89 "2012-03-20T22:34:31Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > What if the person who puts the clothes in the washer also doesn’t decides that they don’t want to. What happens then? Here’s what happens in my house. I told my wife “check my pockets before you put the clothes in the machine.” She said “I don’t want to do that.” I said “fine, but then don’t wash my clothes, I’ll do it myself.” ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/90 "2012-03-20T23:10:10Z")
I vote for both. Personally, I prefer to get items out of my pockets before putting them into the laundry. It’s just easier for me. I may need whatever it is before laundry day, the items are generally closer to their “put away” places, and I don’t want something falling out and snagging my clothes. But things get missed, so it’s best to double check before ruining a load or your washer/dryer. My parents did check pockets while doing laundry, but we were still responsible for cleaning out our pockets before putting items in the laundry (once we were old enough to understand). ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/91 "2012-03-21T01:17:41Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > If spots need pretreating, is that the responsibility of the launderer, or are clothes in the hamper assumed to be “machine-ready” ? Totally the job of the launderer. If I stain a golf shirt, say, with an immense gobbet of omlette made up of extra large eggs, Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar, some fine Greek sausage, fresh sage, lemon pepper and a dash of coarse sea salt, the stain may sit for close to a week before being washed. Most stain removers will do damage if applied many days before washing, IMHO. It is the task of the launderer to pre-check and use stain remover. Usually the night before doing the laundry. Which I do in my MaryJanes. And my pearls. Thank you very much. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/92 "2012-03-21T03:05:40Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Here’s what happens in my house. I told my wife “check my pockets before you put the clothes in the machine.” She said “I don’t want to do that.” I said “fine, but then don’t wash my clothes, I’ll do it myself.” And that’s an excellent solution. If one person doesn’t want to check his pockets before putting them in the hamper, and is willing to accept complete responsibility for doing his own laundry, it’s good. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/93 "2012-03-21T03:06:37Z")
> [@](#): > > It is the task of the launderer to pre-check and use stain remover. Usually the night before doing the laundry. Which I do in my MaryJanes. And my pearls. Thank you very much. We’re gonna need pics of this. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/94 "2012-03-21T05:20:22Z")
Both. Clearly the number of Chapsticks, Ipods, bullets:smack:, cash, receipts, lipsticks, and more should be argument enough for a multiple-user checking system. Obviously none of us can remember and catch everything by ourselves; it takes a village to do the laundry! My wife has washed 3 Ipods, at least 3 magazines of .32 or 9mm rounds, and melted innumerable Chapsticks into mush. The launderer must be the final guardian! ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/95 "2012-03-21T05:45:38Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Sorry, I have a different opinion. I could check all my pockets before I put clothes in the hamper, but I don’t want to. It’s not that hard to check pockets before you put clothes in the washer. And it’s safer anyway, in case someone forgot something important in their pockets. If other people want to have other rules for their own house, fine by me, but I’m not convinced that refusing to check the pockets before putting the clothes in the washer is a superior solution. This. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/96 "2012-03-21T06:08:35Z")
I do the laundry in my household and I consider myself the pocket checker. If my son leaves a biro in his pocket, it’s not going to be just his shirt which gets ruined. And I’m the daft bint who has to spend hours picking bits of shredded tissue off all the clothes, so it’s in my best interests to make sure the pockets are tissue free before I push them in the washing machine. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/97 "2012-03-21T12:30:33Z")
Biro ?? ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/98 "2012-03-21T12:40:21Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Biro ?? Ballpoint pen. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/99 "2012-03-21T13:43:55Z")
Both people should of course. But the laundry doer has the greater onus as the last vanguard. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192/100 "2012-03-21T14:52:49Z")
I wonder how many folks that voted that its the wearer responsibility to remove stuff are the ones that generally do the laundry? I suspect many of those folks are voting wearer rather than launderer because they feel the workload should be shared rather than its actually better/safer/more mature to require the wearer to remove stuff rather the laundry doer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-job-is-it-to-check-pockets-for-chapstick-when-doing-laundry/616192.md?page=6)