How many washing machines should a family have? Less than one

A shared barbeque grill is useless if everybody wants it the same day -- unless they have a big common celebration on, say, July 4. Which is a popular idea, or was when your friends and family all lived within shouting distance, or arrowshot. Not so much, anymore.

But tool rentals are a thing. As are tool libraries, in enlightened places.

"Library of Things is any collection of objects loaned, and any organization that practices such loaning. Objects often include kitchen appliances, tools, gardening equipment and seeds, electronics, toys and games, art, science kits, craft supplies, musical instruments, and recreational equipment. Especially appropriate are objects that are useful occasionally but cumbersome to store, such as specialized cookware or niche technology items."

If you want to take it, you'll have to pry our washing machine from our cold, dead hands.

My neighbors have five children with the two youngest in diapers. They use cloth diapers to save money and reduce waste.

I am pretty sure they are running at least one load per day, perhaps more.