Extracting Cycle

[oldfabricmama]

I purchased a pair of vintage draperies that I am trying to date and I think the care tag may hold some clues. The tag says, "wash automatically thru extracting cycle." Can somebody tell me when did this "extraction cycle" terminology go out of fashion? The tag also says, "Do not tumble dry." So these draperies were on the market when tumble dryers were available and "extraction cycles" were still the order of the day.

Can anyone maybe give me a ten year window of time that both these conditions might have been applicable? I'm thinking 50s or 60s. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

Thank you!

 

[combo52]

EXTRACTION CYCLE

Probably means spin cycle.

 

[pierreandreply4]

or maybe the draps are hand washble or need to be wash on the gentle cycle and then hung back on there poles to drip dry?

 

[rp2813]

My mom's 1967 Norge/Wards Signature washer had the term "Extract" on the dial. 

 

[launderess]

Extraction ='s Spin

Ages ago commercial and some domestic washing machines (think Hoover Twin Tubs), did not spin laundry, but merely laundered and rinsed. One then had to move the stuff to another machine called and "extractor" (think those big things made by Bock),where the water would spun out leaving items dry enough for ironing or how ever they were to be dried.

Once powerful enough motors that could be fitted on or into washing machines allowed for a washer that did both, the "washer-extractor" was born. As this became more the norm you simply had washing machines as it was a given they would automatically spin.

"Wash automatically through the spin cycle" means process the items through whatever cycles are chosen and spin dry. It also telling the laundryman/worker that the drapes do not require hand washing or wet cleaning (twas a different process back then), and thus can go right into the washer-extractor.

Depending upon his experience,the fabric in question and condition the program desinged for the automatic washer may omitt spins between washes and rinses and the final spin may be short/gentle.

It's hard to pin point a date by just "tumble dry" because commercial laundries had them (often powered by steam),long before they were introduced for home use.

 

[tomturbomatic]

One thing it does tell you is that the fabric is not fiberglass. Those draperies could be washed, but could not be spun because spinning would break the glass fibers and not only damage the fabric, but also leave little glass fibers in the washer. Any who have worked with fiberglass insulation without adequate hand and arm protection know the sensory experience of having little glass fibers penetrating your skin. Vinegar, incidentally, is a very good remedy for that, but you would not want a machine load of clothes picking up the glass fibers. I remember this because when we had our V-12, a friend who lived in an apt. brought her fiberglass draperies over for me to do in the machine. At the end of wash and rinse agitation (slow), they had to be lifted out of the water until most of the water drained out of them and placed in a tub while the washer drained. If we still had the 58 Lady, we could have just left the lid up and it would have gone through the cycle without spinning. Instructions suggested running the empty machine through a rinse to flush out any stray glass fibers.

The "Extract" cycle on the Norge consisted of a partial drain, then the tub brake releasing and a long spray rinse at the beginning of the spin.

 

[peterh770]

The overall grammar of the phrase and the odd use of "automatically" and "extraction" makes me think it is just a bad English translation from some foreign country where the draperies were made... And they might not be all that vintage...

 

[washerlover]

I'm sure extract = spin. As noted in an earlier post, Norge/Wards uses the word for their spin cycles.

 

[peterh770]

"Extract" was used on Norge/Wards for the spin between wash and rinse. The final spin was labeled as "Spin".

 

[frigidaireguy]

EXTRACT

When I was a kid - I had one of the first (One Dial) Bendix Economat machines and the final drain period on the timer dial said "Extract".

 

[oldfabricmama]

Extracting cycle

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I already know that the extracting cycle is also the spin cycle, but when did they change that terminology from "extracting" to "spin?" Just thought someone might know. The draperies are made by Burlington, so not foreign made and weirdly translated. When did dryers become common home appliances? Can anyone tell me that?
Thank you again.

 

[launderess]

Taking A Breater From BBQ Eats, Launderess Looked Up And....

Methinks it could simply have been matter (in some instances) of when more cycles were added to dial controls. Extract is six letters versus four for "spin".

If how the timer "moves" is changed as well you can fit perhaps something else or more in there.

Just my thoughts,