launderess
Well-known member
If We Can Please Get On
Topic, that is! *LOL*
Drying cabinets have been around since about the turn of the century, following not too long on the heels of electric power being introduced to homes.
Basically such devices were imporvements over hanging one's laundry over the AGA and or in a heated room to dry. Since one wasn't heating up an entire room, things were a bit more comfortable to use, especially in warmer months, and also saved space.
Hospitals, large manor homes, and the like would have had drying cabinets, but as another poster stated, once tumble dryers came on the scene drying cabinets went out of fashion quickly. Often units can still be found in old laundries, or grand homes, since most if not all units were often built in, removal would have been a huge project. Better to just seal off the thing and or forget about it.
Depending upon the heat source, (IIRC some units used gas), and conditions, laundry dried in drying cabinets could take on a yellow cast, indeed as all laundry not dried outdoors in fresh air and sunshine. Most preferred to dry their laundry out doors if possible, but if the amount of laundry made this impossible, and or weather did not permit, drying cabinets were the next best thing.
Topic, that is! *LOL*
Drying cabinets have been around since about the turn of the century, following not too long on the heels of electric power being introduced to homes.
Basically such devices were imporvements over hanging one's laundry over the AGA and or in a heated room to dry. Since one wasn't heating up an entire room, things were a bit more comfortable to use, especially in warmer months, and also saved space.
Hospitals, large manor homes, and the like would have had drying cabinets, but as another poster stated, once tumble dryers came on the scene drying cabinets went out of fashion quickly. Often units can still be found in old laundries, or grand homes, since most if not all units were often built in, removal would have been a huge project. Better to just seal off the thing and or forget about it.
Depending upon the heat source, (IIRC some units used gas), and conditions, laundry dried in drying cabinets could take on a yellow cast, indeed as all laundry not dried outdoors in fresh air and sunshine. Most preferred to dry their laundry out doors if possible, but if the amount of laundry made this impossible, and or weather did not permit, drying cabinets were the next best thing.
