Vintage photos of wringer washers

[stan]

Hi Ted

You might want to check (if possible) to see if the new Tide has more sodium carbonate than old?

I have a E, that I love, (Pic up thread) but kind of wish it were a N, because of the tub.

I find that I have to be careful of washing soda especially, also borax, and oxyclean.
Since the "online soap versions" contain washing soda, borax, IMHO I'd be careful, unless you are just using the Fels alone, with maybe some STPP.
Tide liquid may be a better option?

On occasion I find that I have to fill mine with a little warm soap and water, and with a light hand, use 2000 grit sand paper to restore it's brilliance.

One of these days I'm going to trade/ swap my E for a N just so I can use bleach if I want!

Hope I did'nt but in *LOL*

 

[mickeyd]

HI Guys, So interested in your gravity drains.

Mine have pumps and I'd enjoy hearing your draining methods.

 

[abcomatic]

Mickey

HI Mick, In the summer time i wheel my ABC out onto the side porch off of the kitchen and wash out there. When I am finished washing, i just open the drain and let it drain off of the porch, that simple. Gary

 

[westingman123]

pumps vs. gravity

I never knew a wringer could have a pump until I read about them here. On Grandma's Maytag, we hooked a hose up to the drain hose and used the wash water on her flowers. Other Grandma had a Speed Queen, no threads on that hose, so the water just drained off the porch.

Geoff, thanks for the advice! The motor I got from Phil is much newer (the old girl has a black cast iron one, this one is fancier) and the mount is, well, different. I agree Phil is a great guy, I've purchased quite a few items from him.

K

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hotpoint Wringers...

The grandest of them all was called the EMPRESS, large 10lb washload, power wringer, 3kw heater and pump, used a large 4 vane agitator for the wash action, the wringer could be stored in the cabinet under the washtub...

The middle size was the COUNTESS, a very popular compact model, 6lb washload, power wringer, with heater & pump..

The small compact was the PRINCESS, smaller tub, manual wringer, with heater & pump

 

[scoots]

A Question about the Maytag Models R & K

A glance at The Maytag Club's Timeline Page for wringer washers (http://www.maytagclub.com/page-16.htm) shows two interesting machines introduced in 1941, the R and the backwards looking K.

Does anybody know if these machines were war-time contingency models that used less war materials? Were they deleted from the line up in 45 with the re introduction of the E, J, N line?

And as long as the subject came up, is there a practical difference between an E, and an E2, J and J2, Etc?

Model R (The Brigadier) shown below.

http://www.maytagclub.com/page-16.htm

 

[scoots]

... And Matag K

...also from 1941. (Both images from The Maytag Club)

 

[mr-maytag]

Geoff - Maybe I'll use some Fels or Zote in my E when I decide to use it for the first time. I haven't ever used Zote or even seen it in a store...maybe I'll use that...keep the mosquitoes away up at the cabin! LOL

Stan - You're not butting in! Thanks for the ideas. I like my J for the same reason you are thinking of getting an N...the tub isn't so touchy. The E is surely a nice looking machine with the polished aluminum crown, though!

Mickey - I have a gravity drain on my J...I just hold the end down into the floor drain. If I had a finished floor I wouldn't like it, but it doesn't matter much with the cement floor in the basement if it splashes a little.

 

[wringer]

Gravity drain

I have to use my Maytag Wringers in my kitchen which is plenty big enough. My pantry is right next door and it has a drain in it due to the water heater. So, I just hook up a short hose to the drain hose and run it down the drain. Not a problem at all. I have not used bar soap for any laundry because when I found it the odor was to strong for me. I am certain both Zote and Fels Naptha work great at not staining the aluminum tubs. I bought up a truck load of the old Tide without bleach when they went to Ultra so I am set for a few years. My tub gets a polishing with 2000 grit sand paper once a month and using plain Tide it stays bright. I also like that the N and J have porcelain tubs and don't stain. Once when I was at the Amish Maytag shop they showed me how home made lye soap eats at the porcelain tubs. Not sure if it eats the aluminum tubs also. Thanks again to you all for the comments and suggestions you put forth here. I hope this thread stays up and running a long time for all of us Wringer fans.

 

[circlew]

Tide for wringers

I wonder if all purpose Tide powder, like used to clean floors, would be suitable for use in a wringer washer?

Once in a while I'll see it on the shelf at GFS, but never have tried it.

 

[pushtorelease]

Acme anyone?

from the 1927 Eaton's spring & summer catalogue

 

[frigilux]

Great idea for a thread, Brad! Thanks, everyone, for shots of all the wonderful wringer machines.

Mickeyd, that Norge is so awesome.

 

[wayupnorth]

Back in the early 1900's

You had to apparently buy your washer and wringer seperately

 

[wayupnorth]

The wringers and mangles. They were quite cheap back then, but I prefer the electric versions.

 

[launderess]

Mangle vs Wringer

Glad the catalog entry above was posted as so many confuse the two.

In theory wringers are used to remove water whilst mangles "cold iron" laundry smooth. The difference became more pronouced as rubber rollers replaced wood for wringers. Wood often cracked and or warped from constant exposure to water and or chemicals/soap, while for the most part rubber is immune long as it's well maintained. Rubber rollers also offered better gripping of wet textiles and were *ahem* slightly easier on buttons, zippers and other sorts of closures.

Kaltmangels (Germany) and Kallmangels (Scandinavian countries) are still very popular but now automated.

 

[launderess]

My Contribution To The Wringer Thread

Not a whole washing machine, but gets the job done.

 

[wayupnorth]

Does that have a ribbed tub to eliminate a washboard, and maybe do the wash by hand more gentler, Laundress? I always had thought a mangle was a hot type of roller thingie to iron sheets or other flat things. But I was not around when that catalog was originally printed. Sort of glad I was not there then because they were just introducing a small section for the electric lights in that catalog. But a gasoline stove that was advertised, I dont think so.

 

[launderess]

Ironers Were Called "Mangles"

By some but technically they are two different creatures.

Mangles like wringers use mechanical action and pressure to smooth textiles. Ironers OTHO while using the same also employ heat which means you need far less pressure to get the job done.

Following link pretty much sums things up.

Mangling

Mangling

fiberarts.org

 

[launderess]

Petrol (Gasoline) Stoves

For heating laundry irons (one assumes that is what you meant) were seen as a boon to housewives/laundresses and anyone else who had to iron, that is until electric irons became widely available.

Unlike coal gas didn't create as much soot when burned which could stain freshly washed laundry. Also gas stoves were portable and aside from the huge models used by laundries or for homes with lots of ironing, didn't heat up the area like using a coal heated range.

 

[lancethecook]

English Parnall

This is one of two Parnall wringer washers i have , both are identical with the exception that this one has a heater and the other one dosnt.
They were exceptionaly well made.
This one is about 50 years old and still in perfect running order.