do laundry

USAGE SUMMARY

"do laundry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to the task of washing clothes, sheets, and other fabric items. For example, "I need to do laundry before I can pack for my trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I do laundry.

The New Yorker

Can you do laundry?

The New York Times

We have to do laundry.

The New York Times

Recycling bath water to do laundry.

The New York Times

Shower, dress, do laundry, back to email.

The Guardian - Books

How often will I do laundry?

The New York Times

Perhaps he'd been planning to do laundry, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

Don't worry if you don't know how to do laundry.

Independent

She would get food, take a shower, and do laundry.

The New Yorker

"I need to do laundry," he said, apologetically.

The New Yorker

Should you need to do laundry, it's in the basement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the audience and context. In formal writing, "launder clothes" might be more appropriate, while in casual conversation, "do laundry" is perfectly acceptable.

Common error

Avoid using the wrong tense. For example, use "I need to do laundry" instead of "I needed do laundry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do laundry" functions as a verb phrase, where "do" acts as a light verb and "laundry" is the noun. This construction indicates the performance of a specific task. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do laundry" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of washing clothes and other textiles. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's frequently used in news, media, and general conversation. While "launder clothes" is a more formal alternative, "do laundry" is widely understood and accepted in various contexts. Remember to use the correct verb tense and consider your audience when choosing between formal and informal alternatives. To pack lightly for a trip, plan to do laundry during your travel.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do the washing

A more general term for washing clothes.

wash clothes

Focuses specifically on the action of washing, omitting the broader task of laundry.

launder clothes

A more formal way to say "wash clothes".

run a wash

Refers to initiating a washing machine cycle.

sort the washing

Emphasizes the initial step of categorizing clothes before washing.

get the washing done

Focuses on completing the task of washing clothes.

throw in a load

An informal way of saying to start a washing machine with a load of clothes.

tackle the laundry

Implies addressing a large or overwhelming amount of laundry.

take care of the laundry

Highlights the act of managing and completing the laundry process.

handle the washing

Suggests dealing with the practical aspects of washing clothes.

FAQs

How can I use "do laundry" in a sentence?

You can say "I need to do laundry this weekend", "She has to do laundry every Sunday", or "They always do laundry together".

What's another way to say "do laundry"?

You can use alternatives like "wash clothes", "launder clothes", or "do the washing".

Is it correct to say "make laundry" instead of "do laundry"?

No, it's not correct. The standard expression is "do laundry". "Make laundry" is not a recognized phrase.

Which is more formal, "do laundry" or "launder clothes"?

"Launder clothes" is generally considered more formal than "do laundry".