doing laundry the old fasioned way

[vacuumfreeeke]

I am wondering if any of you have ever used a wash board and did laundry the old fashioned way? I'd been wanting to do this for a while (especially when the machines at my apartment complex are busy or broken), so today, I called a local hardware store and found that they sold a wash board. I was all set to buy one online or try to make my own, but when I found out they had it, I went to get it. When I got there, I saw that they had glass, metal, and mini wash boards! The glass one was really tempting (maybe even easier on clothes?), but I went with the metal one anyway. I also got a big plastic tub and a heavy duty plunger. I decided to make my own soap, so I bought some ivory bar soap, washing soda, and borax. To my surprise, Wal-mart and Lowes and Walgreens didn't have any Borax and I'd seen it at all those place before.... I ended up finding it at Sweet Bay of all places! I thought I'd have trouble finding washing soda, but that was right at Wal-mart. I also got a bar of Fels-naptha soap for pre-treating.... I already am enjoying the benefits of the Fels-naptha soap.... I shined shoes last night and somehow black shoe polish got on my khaki colored microfiber couch. The Fels-naptha took it right out.

Anyway, I did my first load and it was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed the process and the clothes seem brigher! Wringing them out was a pain, and I looked for a manual clothes wringer, but they are so expensive and old ones on Ebay seem all worn out.

I'm really having fun with this, I don't think I'll abandon the washer completely, but it is nice to know that I have the means to do this myself and the natural homemade laundry soap is so much cheaper and better than what's in the stores now!

So, have you guys ever done this? Are there any benefits of a glass wash board over a metal one?

Thanks! )

 

[launderess]

If You Plan On Making This A Regular Event

Contrary to popular myth the idea when doing laundry by hand is to rub/scrub little as possible. Washboards, brushes, beaters and rubbing all abrade fabric and lead to wear. Indeed you see adverts for older laundry soaps such as Chipso,Fels and Persil claiming they protected clothing because wash could be soaked and or boiled alone clean. If soils and or stains survived pre-treating, soaking, and boiling it was then that they should be attacked with manual contraptions. Regardless countless housewives, washerwomen et al still felt it best to beat the dirt out of laundry. Hence all that darning, mending and other repair work needed to patch the thin wearing areas and holes which subsequently developed.

Being as that may glass has a slight advantage of being a bit more gentle than metal, and of course it does not rust. When using a washing board the idea is to let the thing to the work and not ape a cartoon or motion picture washerwoman rubbing laundry into the board with force.

No, haven't gotten the urge to do entire wash loads by hand, though did purchase a wringer/mangle from Germany awhile back (it was/is in excellent condition).

Will launder the odd delicate bit of linens such as tablecloths, pillow slips and what not by hand, but don't have the kind of time to do a week's worth of washing that way.[this post was last edited: 3/5/2012-19:22]

 

[qualin]

If I was in your situation (Wish I had done this at my condo when I was living there) I would have purchased an older Twin Tub machine and a small dryer that can vent out somewhere, or just dry the laundry via clotheslines.

Instead, I was doing my best to save my pennies for a washer/dryer combo which could have fit inside the clothes closet... but they're fairly pricey...

Good luck though!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

I have an Edgestar combo unit that is ventless, but it is loud on the spin cycle and takes about 4 hours to wash and 8 hours to dry (I exaggerate a bit, but it's long) and I trip on the hoses stretched from the bedroom closet to the bathroom and my bathroom sink is unavailable for all those hours and the hose falls out and drains on the floor.... it's a nighmare! Plus, it's started to make funny noises. I'm really enjoying the whole doing laundry by hand thing for now... if that changes, the machines in the public laundry room or my little guy are still available, but for now, I'm having a blast! I feel so accomplished and the clothes really look brighter and cleaner and smell great. Even if I need to us a washing machine for something, I plan to continue using my "homemade soap" as long as the ingredients to make it remain available!

 

[neptunebob]

I think I saw them wash by hand several times on Petticoat Junction so you might want to check out one of those episodes to learn the technique.

 

[dirtybuck]

If You Decide To Do This

You should be commended. I don't have the stamina or energy to partake in something to this degree.

Good luck!

 

[wringersteve]

Try this link.....

www.columbuswashboard.com