Vintage wash-day for me today...

[bradross]

Hello to everybody ... today is vintage laundry day for me (actually, EVERY laundry day is vintage for me!) This morning, I'm working out the old Maytag E2LP wringer washer. It does an excellent job (as do my other wringer washers!)

Anybody else using a wringer today? Do tell!

 

[electron1100]

Happy Days

That looks really nice, and I bet its a pleasure to use
Gary

 

[bradross]

Fun indeed!

@electron1100 Yes, it is fun, Gary! I love being "hands on" with the laundry. Another reason I guess I also like to use twin-tubs. But the wringer has more profound memories for me - helping my grandmother do the laundry when I was a wee tike!

 

[abcomatic]

HI Brad, Yep, washed today in the ABC. I think you remember that machine? I have to lube the controls on the Easy and that is good to go too. Happy washing. Gary

 

[e2l-arry]

Me too!

4 loads through my E2LP this morning. It's all I've been using for about the last year and a half now. It works flawlessly! And every time I use it I am somewhat transported back to the times as a "wee tike" helping, or thinking I was helping, Grandma with laundry in her Speed Queen wringer. I'm looking forward to Spring. In another few weeks I can go back to line drying!

 

[ptcruiser51]

@bradross

How do you deal with the lack of a lint filter? My aunt had a machine exactly like the one in the photo. She always had to use scotch tape to get rid of the lint on my uncle's chino uniforms (he was a subway motorman). What a mess!

 

[wayupnorth]

I made my own lint filter contraption for my Maytag wringer. Since the chrome gooseneck was broken off, I put a 12 inch piece of old garden hose in place of the gooseneck. By putting one of those old screen spatter shields in the wringer an inch and clamping the hose end to the shield, the wringer diverts all the pumped water thru the screen and right back into the tub in a waterfall. Doesnt get all the lint but does help alot.

 

[e2l-arry]

It must depend on what you wash but .. .

Only 1 of my 4 washers ever had a lint filter. That was on my Whirlpool compact/portable. None of my other machines, including the E2LP has a filter and I've never noticed any difference. The dryer must take care of it because I always clean the filter after each load and there's always lint. But the action of the dryer creates additional lint. And I do notice a little more lint when I hang dry but it's never really been an issue.

I have thought about PTCruiser51's idea of running the pump back into the machine with a filter or stocking over the hook. But I was worried that I'd wear the pump out. Thinking it's designed to empty the machine by running less than 2 minutes. If I run it continuously, will it wear something out? I'd hate to loose the pump. LOVE the pump!!

 

[packardmanken]

Lady Kenmore was busy today..

Brad, I also did laundry in the wringer today! I really enjoy your videos on Youtube appreciate your getting back to me when I post a comment. The Lady Kenmore soaked sheets overnight, then washed and wrung them ready for the line. They also had a rinse in a starch bath and will be ironed later tonight on the Ironrite after they are sprinkled and rolled for a while. Nothing beats fresh sheets hung on the line other than fresh sheets that are starched and ironed!!
I learned a trick that really worked. I always ruin things with bleach. Ammonia replaces bleach and fabric softener both. Dazzling white sheets and towels. Below is the original advertisment for the Kenmore. Mine is the one on the right. Also there is a vintage ad link I stumbled on today you guys might enjoy.

/Users/kennethleehedrick/Desktop/vintage-home-decor-washer-dryer-sewing-machine-5.jpg

http:///Users/kennethleehedrick/Desktop/vintage-home-decor-washer-dryer-sewing-machine-5.jpg

 

[bradross]

Ken's (Ptcruiser51) question about lint...

@ptcruiser51 Hi Ken...I typically don't have an issue with lint; as Larry stated, the dryer takes care of that. I suppose line-drying would be another matter. However, I do take care in sorting my loads. Typically, when using a wringer washer, you can start with a tub of hot water (for whites) and keep using the same tub through the subsequent darker loads. I suppose if you had some lint prone whites (such as new white towels), the first tub of water would have to be emptied and not reused. I've honestly never had that issue because all my towels are colored!

 

[ptcruiser51]

Hi BradRoss

I'm Charlie, ptcruiser51. Thanx for answering my question. I (nor my aunt) would have never thought of circulating the water thru a filter! She lived in a tenement, so no dryer. Everything got hung outside, hence, tons o'lint. I remember that wash water in the Maytag would be BLACK by the time she was done for the day. It went like this: Ladies' things first, then underpants, then sheets, then towels, then colors, and finally darks. She did pump out some water in between and add some detergent (Oxydol) as she went on. The rinsing in the Youngstown sink was always two tubs of cold, then another trip thru the wringer. The whites got a treatment with "bull dog bluing" that I haven't seen since the 1960s.

You're a better man that I am, my friend. I'm happy for my General Electric TL. The first washer I've used that didn't run on quarters!

 

[christfr]

awesome looks like fun for days.. still to chilly here to play makes me sad

 

[wringer]

I too

use a wringer washer weekly for all of my laundry. I have been doing this since Aug of 2011 when I got my first Maytag E. I don't have a lint problem either prolly because I dry in the dryer. I do have a vintage Maytag lint filter agibitator for mine but have never used it because it needs a good polish job and I don't have the energy. I do spin my clothes out in the automatic washer before putting them in the dryer to remove more water than the wringer does. I call Monday wash days my therapy days LOL.

Jim

 

[bradross]

to Charlie (ptcruiser51) - and Jim (wringer)

Hey Charlie, please excuse me for getting your name wrong. I was looking at Ken's profile at the same time I was looking at yours. Oops! Anyway, thanks for your comments! I always like to hear of fellow wringer washer enthusiasts!

And Jim, yes, I completely know what you mean about "wash day, therapy day"! I don't even think of doing laundry as a chore. It's definitely fun for me when I use either a wringer washer or my Speed Queen SuperTwin. But between the two modes, I think I even prefer using a wringer as it is so "hands on", plus, brings up fond memories of time spent in the wash house with my grandmother. I've attached a photo of the place in southern Alberta, long since vacant. The wash-house in on the right (more recent owners painted the wall with a big sunflower). Inside the wash-house was a gas-converted wood stove, the pump equipment for the water well, plus the wringer washer and tubs. In the early '70s, my grandfather put in a gas Kenmore dryer. I remember on cold winter days, the wash-house was warm and steamy from doing the laundry, and on warm summer days, the windows and doors would be flung wide open to let in the fresh prairie breeze. Wow, definitely some profound memories! Sad that the property is no longer in the family.