Q&A on doing laundry on Rosh Chodesh
If a woman needs clean clothing to wear on Rosh Chodesh, may she wash it on Rosh Chodesh?[1]
Yes. She may likewise iron it and perform all other necessary activities to the clothing in order to be worn that day.[2]
May a woman turn on a washing machine on Rosh Chodesh?
Some Poskim[3] rule that doing so is allowed.[4] However the widespread custom is to avoid doing so.[5]
May a woman place the laundry in the washing machine and have her husband turn it on?
Many Poskim[6] of today permit the wife to enter the clothing into the washing machine and have her husband turn it on.[7] Nevertheless, there are Poskim[8] who are stringent.
May one send clothing to the dry cleaners on Rosh Chodesh?
Yes.
May a woman hang clothing on a drying rack on Rosh Chodesh?[9]
No.
May a woman place the clothing in a dryer and turn it on?[10]
Yes.
[1] Ashel Avraham Butchach 417 Tinyana
[2] The reason: As certainly the work on Rosh Chodesh is not more stringent than the work on Chol Hamoed. [ibid]
[3] Or Letziyon 3/1-1
[4] The reason: As the custom was only to refrain from doing actual labor, while simply pressing a button does not involve any real work. [ibid] However see Elya Raba 417/5 and Olas Shabbos 417 [brought in Kaf Hachaim 417/32] that even the light Melachas are forbidden and not just the difficult one’s.
[5] Heard from Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen
[6] Or Letziyon 1/1; Poskim of today mentioned in the footnotes in Mishneh Berurah Oz Vihadar 417; Heard from Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen
[7] The reason: As it does not involve any actual laundering on the woman’s part.
[8] Mishneh Berurah Oz Vehadar in name of Rav Nissim Gerelitz
[9] Or Letziyon 3/1-1
[10] Or Letziyon 3/1-1
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