They are speed brakes in the air, normally only a reduced number will deploy whilst airborne and are used to aid roll.
On the ground they are spoilers and as some have correctly stated only work when the aircraft senses weight on wheels. In this case all will deploy and they will effectively spoil the lift of the wing, get maximum weight on wheels to aid braking.
As for the washing thing, who knows and frankly who cares. As long as long all the important bits and pieces work.