Sparecchiando con calma, Laura dice che preferisce fare tutto subito.

Sparecchiando is the gerund form of sparecchiare, which usually means to clear the table or to remove dishes after a meal.

So:

• sparecchiare = to clear the table
• sparecchiando = clearing the table / while clearing the table

It is formed with the -ando ending, which is typical for -are verbs:

• parlare → parlando
• mangiare → mangiando
• sparecchiare → sparecchiando

Italian often uses the gerund to express an action happening at the same time as another action.

So Sparecchiando con calma, Laura dice... means something like:

• While clearing the table calmly, Laura says...

A full clause with mentre is also possible:

• Mentre sparecchia con calma, Laura dice...

The gerund version is a little more compact and natural in many contexts.

Normally, the subject of the gerund is understood to be the same as the subject of the main clause.

So in:

• Sparecchiando con calma, Laura dice...

the natural interpretation is that Laura is the one clearing the table.

This is important, because in Italian the gerund usually refers back to the subject of the main verb. So this sentence strongly suggests:

• Laura is clearing the table
• Laura is speaking

Con calma literally means with calm, but in natural English it usually means:

• calmly
• slowly
• without rushing
• at an unhurried pace

So Sparecchiando con calma suggests Laura is clearing the table in a relaxed, unhurried way.

This is a very common Italian expression. You can also hear it in phrases like:

• Fallo con calma = Do it calmly / Take your time
• Arrivo con calma = I’ll get there without rushing

Italian often uses the simple present where English might use the present progressive.

So:

• Laura dice che... = Laura says / is saying that...

This can describe:

• something happening right now
• a general statement
• normal narrative style

Using sta dicendo is possible, but it puts more emphasis on the action being in progress at this exact moment.

So:

• dice = more neutral and common
• sta dicendo = more explicitly is saying right now

Che introduces a subordinate clause, like that in English.

So:

• Laura dice che preferisce... means
• Laura says that she prefers...

In English, that is often omitted:

• Laura says she prefers...

In Italian, che is normally kept:

• dice che...

It is the standard way to link dire to a full statement.

After preferire, Italian commonly uses an infinitive when the subject stays the same.

So:

• Laura preferisce fare tutto subito = Laura prefers to do everything right away

The subject of preferisce and fare is the same person: Laura.

This pattern is very common:

• Preferisco mangiare a casa = I prefer to eat at home
• Preferiamo partire presto = We prefer to leave early

If the subject changes, Italian often uses a different structure, for example:

• Preferisco che tu parta presto = I prefer that you leave early

Italian often leaves out subject pronouns when they are clear from the verb form or context.

So instead of:

• Laura dice che lei preferisce...

Italian simply says:

• Laura dice che preferisce...

Because Laura is already the subject, adding lei would usually be unnecessary unless you want emphasis or contrast.

For example:

• Laura dice che preferisce... = neutral
• Laura dice che lei preferisce... = more emphatic, like Laura says that she, specifically, prefers...

Tutto subito means:

• everything right away
• everything immediately
• everything at once

Here:

• tutto = everything
• subito = immediately / right away

So fare tutto subito means doing all the tasks without postponing them.

It suggests Laura prefers not to leave things for later.

In fare tutto subito, the word order is very natural in Italian.

• tutto is the object of fare
• subito is an adverb describing when the action is done

So the structure is:

• fare = to do
• tutto = everything
• subito = immediately

You can sometimes hear slightly different word orders, but fare tutto subito is the most straightforward and idiomatic here.

It sounds like:

• do everything right away

The comma is very natural here because Sparecchiando con calma is an introductory phrase.

So:

• Sparecchiando con calma, Laura dice che...

The comma helps separate the background action from the main clause.

In informal writing, some people may omit it, but with this kind of opening gerund phrase, the comma is generally a good choice and makes the sentence easier to read.

It most naturally sounds like a specific scene:

• Laura is clearing the table
• while doing that, she says she prefers to do everything immediately

But because Italian uses the present tense broadly, it could also fit into a more general narrative style.

Still, with Sparecchiando con calma, it strongly feels like a concrete moment being described.