þvotti

þvotti is an Old Norse word that translates to "washing" or "laundry" in modern English. It refers to the act of cleaning clothes and linens, a common and essential household chore in medieval Scandinavian societies. The process of þvotti would have involved various methods depending on the available resources and the type of fabric. This could include using water, ashes, lye, and sometimes natural soaps derived from plants or animal fats. Washing was typically done outdoors near a water source, such as a river or lake, or in a designated washing area within a settlement. The items to be washed would be scrubbed, rinsed, and then hung out to dry, often on clotheslines or spread on rocks. The term þvotti encompasses not only the physical act of cleaning but also the associated labor and the resulting clean textiles. It highlights a fundamental aspect of daily life and domestic economy in the Viking Age and subsequent medieval periods in Norse-speaking regions. The concept of maintaining cleanliness and order through washing was a practical necessity for hygiene and the preservation of clothing.