In the courts of kings and queens in medieval Europe, the jester was the person whose job was to do silly things in order to make people laugh . See full definition.
High efficiency models such as front-loading washers can greatly reduce water use. Small machines (those under 4.0 cubic feet) that use less than 6.5 gallons of water per cubic foot can reduce water use by up to 50%. For additional information see: Clothes Washers: Water and Energy-Saving Tips and Technologies (73 KB)
And it's best to have two basins to work in--one with hot, soapy water and the other with warm water for a rinse. Clothes washer. 25 gallons/load for newer washers. Older models might use about 40 gallons per load.