Q. Re-question 2891 above, regarding women washing clothes during Rosh Chodesh. Is doing the laundry by washing machine also included in the minhag of women not doing work in Rosh Chodesh?
A. Some Poskim are stringent (Emes l’Yaakov, O.H. 417:1); Ko Somar l’Beis Yaakov, p. 70; Mevakshei Torah, 41, p. 32).
However, others are lenient since no real hard work is involved. Horav S.Z. Auerbach zt’l (Shalmei Moed, p. 11.) Yalkut Yosef (H. Rosh Chodesh 417: 1), Divrei Sholom (p.55) and others. (See also Orchos Rabbeinu, 1, p. 177).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shli’a opinion is that in need, one may be lenient.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised By Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a