I agree with you on much of this, but I'd wrap my arms around a wicker laundry basket full of wet laundry if carrying it in front of me. The sloping sides make it easy to carry that way, and the handles aren't as easy to grip from the side. They're the wrong shape.


I'm less likely to put a full basket of wet laundry on my hip, as the weight would be a lot more than an empty basket, and as you say, more stress on the spine - but I find a dry load is still comfortable (And it's easier to open doors if you have a hand free).