For centuries women dreaded “Blue Monday,” the day of the week devoted to laundry. Without electricity and modern appliances, it meant hauling and heating gallons of water, then scrubbing and rinsing the dirty clothes. (Learn more about ironing and laundry here.) Many of the original technological advances in appliances were targeted at industrial laundries as even the poorest households sent out much of the families’ washing in the early 20th century. The COD Laundry located on the corner of 12th Street and Main Avenue was where many Durango residents brought their dirty clothes. As more women were pushed out of the workplace and since cash was scarce during the 1930s, doing the laundry at home became the norm. At least there were appliances like electric washing machines, wringers or mangles, and electric irons to make the job a bit easier.