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Vanishing world of the dhobi
13 Sep 2014 — Despite competition from modern launderettes and washing machines, traditional laundries run by Indians living in Dhoby Ghaut are still serving their loyal customers. The settlement is at the confluence of Sungai Air Terjun and Sungai Air Itam, which form Sungai Pinang. The dhobi used the rivers to wash their laundry. A drop in the quality of water forced them to move from the riverbank to tap water, but they still hand scrub the laundry and dry them under the sun. Business began in the 19th century and handed down through the generations. But today, labour shortages have forced many dhobi to close shop. From 150 dhobi in the 1970s, only about 13 remain and most of their workers are from India.
A worker separating clean laundry based on the location of his customers. Some live as far as Bukit Minyak and Butterworth in the mainland. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker cleaning a laundry workshop on the riverbank of Sungai Air Terjun and Sungai Pinang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker scrubbing a shirt collar to remove grime. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A laundry worker pressing and rinsing an item of clothing. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker flogging an item of clothing on a flat stone while cleaning it. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A glimpse of the storeroom used for clean laundry. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
Laundry drying on the riverbanks of Sungai Air Terjun and Sungai Pinang from Jalan Air Hitam. The dhobi used to wash their laundry in the river before a drop in the quality of water forced them to use tap water. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker carrying clean laundry after collecting them from the clothes line. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker separating clean laundry based on the location of his customers. Some live as far as Bukit Minyak and Butterworth in the mainland. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker removing dirty laundry from his bicycle before taking it to the cleaning area. He uses a bicycle to collect and deliver laundry. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker using a wheelbarrow to transfer laundry from the washing area to the drying area. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker folding trousers. Customers will get their laundry a week later. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker folding clothing. Customers will get their laundry a week later. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker ironing a pair of trousers at a dhobi. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
Laundry being dipped into a cauldron used to boil the laundry with a mix of soda and detergent to kill bacteria. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker folding uniforms from a restaurant. Most of the laundry they handle are uniforms, sheets and tablecloths from businesses and institutions around the island. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
A worker from India seen resting after working hours. He lives in the laundry where he works. Labour shortage has forced many dhobi to rely on workers from India. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
Members of a family who run a traditional laundry business collecting clean laundry. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 13, 2014.
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