This week we pivot back to Maytag for some instruction on how to launder all these new man-made fabrics. While rote, there are still some neat things to see, especially the variety of detergents/packaging available at the time.
"This is The Way We Wash Our Clothes" - 16mm Film
- Thread starter cadman
- Start date
Great video, thank you once again
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Nice video.
Tailored to people to give them some Common Sense.
You know, that rare thing among people these days.
Tailored to people to give them some Common Sense.
You know, that rare thing among people these days.
Hi Cory, really enjoyed this !!! Looking forward to the next one. Keep on doin what you're doin. ❤
vacerator
Well-known member
Could common sense be only as common as the average curve of society? There you have it 
Not to project that on anyone here, but some who claim to have more than average actually lack it. Projection is a classic defense mechanism for guilt.
Not to project that on anyone here, but some who claim to have more than average actually lack it. Projection is a classic defense mechanism for guilt.
At least at the time, no matter how many fabrics, detergents, washing methods and even washing machines, have since been introduced, this video still points out towards some simplicity...
And back then, there might not have been anything wrong with sitting on the floor playing with a toy washing machine to a real washing machine, no matter how much mom wanted to move on to other household chores, while the laundry was automatically done...
A revolution towards how modern methods of washing such as this, really changed for the better from many generations of Grandmothers' Times, freeing up mother towards more independence through today's conveniences...
Thank you, Corey!
And back then, there might not have been anything wrong with sitting on the floor playing with a toy washing machine to a real washing machine, no matter how much mom wanted to move on to other household chores, while the laundry was automatically done...
A revolution towards how modern methods of washing such as this, really changed for the better from many generations of Grandmothers' Times, freeing up mother towards more independence through today's conveniences...
Thank you, Corey!
phillymatt53
Well-known member
I think a lot of it has to do with upbringing, along with education.Could common sense be only as common as the average curve of society? There you have it
As for me, I was fixated on soaking up a wide variety of information about things.
And the younger people I have met have seemed to show a lack of education.
I’ve enjoyed these videos so much, especially those from the 1950s and ‘60s. Thanks for sharing them!
Watched it. It's obviously a low budget production compared to the films put out by Whirlpool. It doesn't appear to have been sponsored by Maytag, and it likely was something primarily intended for high school home ec classes. There wasn't any content trying to convince the viewer to purchase or use their product, the way most sponsored industrial films do.
I think you're right about the home-ec angle. This was a university collab, and explains the B&W filmstock. To make it inexpensive (often free) to distribute to institutions nationwide, color was out of the question. Many of Maytag's earlier films are also through Galaxy Productions, including their "Combo Convenience" if I'm not mistaken. That one doesn't tell you what combo you should buy, but of course only shows theirs. And then there's the "Ask Linda Marshall" series. I would bet Fred II had a lot to do with it; he understood the medium and worked tirelessly to push new markets in a conservative company in a conservative area.
One thing I've noticed with films from this era, Maytag or otherwise, was that outside of a 60 sec commercial TV spot, the manufacturer didn't try to hit you over the head with their product. I think it was assumed that if you were going to sit through all 10 minutes of xyz in some classroom, likely involuntarily, you might start considering competitors! In this case, those gorgeous back-panel closeups did all the talking. Mention Maytag at the beginning, then move on.
WP also produced some stinkers, but in this era they were still trying to figure out who they wanted to be. It was a few more years before they moved into this segment.
That little girl stuffing fabric into the little toy washer reminds me of what I did with my Jack in the Box. I turned it into a washing machine using the creature's clothing as the washer load. I remember this happening in Illinois so I was 3 or 4.
I don't believe that comforter stuffed into the mixed load will get pulled under with the machine set for gentle action.
I don't believe that comforter stuffed into the mixed load will get pulled under with the machine set for gentle action.
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launderess
Well-known member
At risk of harping on... Will say it again, immersing laundry in hot water for start will cook various protein substances (body fluids and execrations, food, drink, etc....) into fibers making them much more difficult to impossible to remove.
Again as one has said American housewives and others used copious amounts of chlorine bleach on whites and colourfast laundry, that hid a multitude of wash day sins.
So much was lost when things went from manual or semi-automatic laundry day.
It was common knowledge for ages one never began with hot water, and why. Laundry was pre-soaked (especially whites) for several hours, or even overnight in cold water. This removed much surface muck and also soils of a proteinous nature. Laundry was then taken out of soaking tubs and washed in hot water.
When semi or even fully automatic washing machines came along housewives were suggested to use a quick pre-wash in cold water (aka "power soak") which did the job in < six or so minutes. Commercial and industrial laundries never lost this and nearly all use a cold or warm water "flush" (with or without chemicals) before starting hot wash.
European h-axis washers had things cracked with their ability to self heat water from cold to boiling.
Again as one has said American housewives and others used copious amounts of chlorine bleach on whites and colourfast laundry, that hid a multitude of wash day sins.
So much was lost when things went from manual or semi-automatic laundry day.
It was common knowledge for ages one never began with hot water, and why. Laundry was pre-soaked (especially whites) for several hours, or even overnight in cold water. This removed much surface muck and also soils of a proteinous nature. Laundry was then taken out of soaking tubs and washed in hot water.
When semi or even fully automatic washing machines came along housewives were suggested to use a quick pre-wash in cold water (aka "power soak") which did the job in < six or so minutes. Commercial and industrial laundries never lost this and nearly all use a cold or warm water "flush" (with or without chemicals) before starting hot wash.
European h-axis washers had things cracked with their ability to self heat water from cold to boiling.
Cory, I'm not sure how, or by who, this film was distributed. The major distributor of free loan films was Modern Talking Picture Service, which had locations in most large cities. My mom used to get their catalog when she was in charge of programs for one of her ladies clubs, and borrowed various titles for several years. That was in the late 60s to mid 70s. The school I attended was also a frequent user of that company. Can't say I remember any from Maytag listed. Many were travel related, and sponsored by oil companies and airlines. The great majority were in color, and had more music in the background, and entertaining in addition to informative. This one is rather "dry" in comparison.
Oh yes, I'm familiar with Modern. We never had them locally, but we did have Blackhawk. I doubt this would have made either of their catalogs; more likely these were distributed through AEA's, the collegiate network and even directly from Maytag's PR department. I'm too lazy to dig out the Maytag News from that year, but I think I remember a blurb announcing it. I can confirm the Linda Marshall series was produced by Arthur Lodge Productions NY (of Industry on Parade), then managed through Maytag.
I still have my 3" thick catalog of 16mm films our local AEA carried; they would actually let me check them out to take home(!) It was a sad day when they dumpstered their inventory; I saved a few titles before the police were called (it was a weekend). Rule was they had to be destroyed, no freebies.
I still have my 3" thick catalog of 16mm films our local AEA carried; they would actually let me check them out to take home(!) It was a sad day when they dumpstered their inventory; I saved a few titles before the police were called (it was a weekend). Rule was they had to be destroyed, no freebies.
Three cheers for appliance-related dumpster diving! You're a good man Cory.
But, as our laundry man Bud (?) told us, a hot break with STPP will allow you to start protein stains with warmer water without setting the stains. I have started blood spotted linens in the 806 with STPP and detergent in warm water and the water level set to small in the prewash portion of the cycle. Then at the end of the prewash, I set it it for a full fill with hot water, add the rest of the load and get great results along with the fun of dial pushing and playing with the water.
launderess
Well-known member
All those toy vacuum cleaners, washing machines and other appliances were meant to acquaint little girls with their future lot in life.
Laundry "break" may refer to separate cycle and or chemicals added to first "suds" of wash formula.
Either way at least one cold, cool or warm water flush cycle always precedes any suds or wash cycle that will use hot water. For heavily soiled loads being done in warm or even cooler water a flush still often happens to carry off good part of muck.
Hot water will set many soils and marks, tannin, protein, etc... Could be wrong but don't believe addition of alkalinity reduces or eliminates that result.
https://www.uschemical.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/L000211_Laundry_Cycle_Functionality.pdf
https://www.uschemical.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/L000241_Laundry_Formulas.pdf
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