House Elf question?

[jlv230]

No: HPFGUIDX 131243

> Brent said:
> Who or what cleans the student clothing if the elves can't even touch 
> it without being freed?

JLV:
Actually, I'm sure they can touch *other people's* clothes, 
particularly if they're being worn. Anyway, the house elves could 
probably use their 'special brand of magic' to clean clothes, towels 
and sheets which doesn't involve actually picking up any clothes. 

> Brent:
> Hermione put elf hats and socks out and they 
> would not even clean the common room anymore so I can't see them 
going 
> to get them to be cleaned.

JLV:
Hermione didn't leave the hats out to be cleaned, she (1) disguised 
them as rubbish to trick the elves and (2) intended to give the clothes 
to the elves to free them. I think that as the elves are a proud 
specie, they were mortally affronted by Hermione's behaviour and 
perhasp even refused to clean them up on principle. It doesn't follow 
that they can't touch clothes. It may be that Hermione was mistaken in 
thinking that the hats would free the elves (in fact I wouldn't be 
surprised if she was - she's not showing great judgment here).

> Brent:
>It is never mentioned that Harry or anyone 
> else cleans them while at school that I remember. 

JLV:
I'm guessing it's one of those many things that happen but aren't 
mentioned. In my (often inaccurate) recollection, Harry has only taken 
one bath in five years (although IIRC there is a mention of showers 
after Quidditch) and has *never* been to the toilet. If the house 
elvesclean the clothes (which I don't doubt) they would do it unnoticed 
by all anyway. And sometimes details are unimportant and, frankly, I 
don't want to hear everything... especailly about *all* the things a 
teenage boy may get up to when not saving the world (*shudders*).

JMO,
JLV xx