Why collect vintage washers?

[neptunebob]

It could be worse. Having an interest in washers and dryers - I found football and playing catch boring - is one reason why my parents sent me to a psychiatrist when I was younger. They (and the doctor) did not think a young man should have an interest in such "home-echy" things.

 

[sharples]

Today i went to an antique shop to browse their merchandise. There was two old men manning the sales desk and i thought i would be ok to ask them if they knew of any vintage washers. A women was checking out at that time with a oxen yoke and vintage christmas tinsel village. Well, once i asked them if they new of any vintage washers, the lady looked at me in disgust and asked me what in the world would i want with a vintage washer?

Of course being polite i said it made me feel closer to the daily life of my grandparents and brought joy watching a mechanical machine clean clothes.

What i wanted to say is why the f--- do you care? You should noe be judging me when you are being old oxen yolks to put on your wall. Well, just thought i would share my day's experience.

Has anything like this happen to you guys in laundry land??

Yours truly;
Graham Sanders

 

[brettsomers]

i remember telling a coworker, who i still like, btw. told her that i had about 20 vacuums that i keep im my apartment because i enjoy using them, and i like their design. youd think i told her i never bathe. disbelief mixed with a hint of horror. oh well...

 

[exploder321]

Hehehe.. Evry one though i was nuts for playing with detergent boxes and old washer parts (es[ agitators) when i was a kid.... Was diagnosed with ADHD and later Aspbergers.... NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tell most people and they laugh.. Although i have gotten a few odd looks and my boss just rolled her eyes, said "Only you sqeeky)

 

[oxydolfan1]

Someone who's checking out an oxen yoke is gonna tell you YOUR hobby is weird?

Oy, gevalt....

 

[maytagbear]

A somewhat serious answer:

Presenting several statements, all true to greater or lesser extents--

I like industrial design.

I find the dreams and aspirations of the recent past interesting.

Cheaper than playing the stock market.

Why not?

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[petek]

And then you go into some of these peoples houses and they have handicrafted rabbits made up to look like grandma and grandpa, crocheted doily toilet paper cozy's with a barbie dolls torso stuck on top of them and they think we're weird..

 

[exploder321]

Grams had some of that homade doily crap in the living room... It dissaperd last week to Mr. Garbage can.... She thinks her dog chewed it up... Tacky Tacky Tacky... Now if i only could find a nice agitator or softner dispenser...

 

[laundryshark]

Why collect vintage washers?

Having an interest in old washers and other vintage appliances is no different than collecting antique cars, tractors, furnature, etc. Therefore, why should such a hobby be judged as any weirder than other creative bordom killing projects? By the way, I have an entire kitchen cupboard filled with a variety of powdered laundry products, as I do like the scents of different detergents and additives. The irony is that I still prefer April Fresh Downy Fabric Softener over any other fabric softener brands or flavors.--Laundry Shark

 

[Unimatic1140]

People always ask me: "what do you do with all of those washers". I'm always ready with my standard one word answer:

Laundry.

 

[exploder321]

I like that.. People have asked me as well and i just tell em its a hobby jke collecting sports cards...

 

[neptunebob]

But we washer collectors have a higher purpose....

We help make the world a cleaner place!

 

[sharples]

Thanks

HAHA i love all of your reponces. I will be prepared next time.

 

[rickr]

Not that I care what anyone thinks, but......

I had my annual holiday party last night. I had all the lights on the machines turned on, and used the 58 Maytag as the beer cooler. Poured 3 bags of ice into it, and 2 cases of Bud Lite. The boyz just loved it! Told them if they wanted a good head on their beer, put the machine on spin before opening it.... lol! Of course about 2:30 this morning we did put the Maytag on spin just to see it spin full of beer and ice!
There were some teens here and they were really checking out the washers. One of them said that he wanted his car (rice burner) painted the came colour as my mint green 56 Kenmore. Did a load of towels in the 57 Frigidaire for them,and joked about installing a turbo for the spin cycle!! We all really had fun, and everyone went over to check out the collection at one point or another.

All and all the machines were a big hit, as they are every year. I think some people have to see a them, before they really understand, and see for themselves, how beautiful a collection of vintage machines really is.

Of course I also tell them that if I want to, I am able to do a full weeks laundry in just over an hour. Washed and dried. Usually the women say they wouldn't mind having an extra set either. "that would really be nice to have" is the comment I usually hear.

 

[58limited]

rickr

I love the beer cooler idea! My friends would get a kick out of that.

I always have liked vintage stuff: the optimism of the era is reflected in the design and they were not afraid to try new ideas (look at cars: lots of strange "gizmos" appeared in the 50s as options). I never really gave automatic washers much thought until I found this site (probably because until I found this site I had never seen a 50s vintage washer, but I had seen some 60s era Kenmores and I thought: why don't new washers have as much style as the old ones?). After seeing your collections, I would like to find a 50s era set. Very hard around here because the humidity destroys them (people here usually put them in their garages back then). My friends and family would probably roll their eyes, but they are already used to my collecting old stuff.

 

[rickr]

Thanks David, it really was a fun thing to do. At one point the guys were calling it a "lite load" lol!!

I don't know how I came up with the idea of using the Maytag as the beer cooler, but I know it will be a tradition that will continue. <:

 

[laundryshark]

Do you folks have any Web links (besides AutomaticWasher.org) where I can download a Windows Media compatible video, audio, or access a stream of any of your classic washers? As long as I can hear the sound effects of old washers in action, that would be really cool. Thanks.--Laundry Shark

 

[wishwash]

Vintage Washers

I think collecting washers and dryers is great! Who cares what anyone thinks! I collect vintage small appliances, vintage cameras, vintage kitchenware (which would look fantastic in some of the beautiful vintage kitchens I have seen on this site), vintage dinnerware, 45 records, vintage compacts, make-up and hair permanents, vintage lipsticks and bobby pins, hair curlers and all kinds of manicure items, nail polish and remover. Then there's the room full of Barbie dolls that I have had for many years and anything else that I can't even remember. Books, vintage rhinestone costume jewelery, old movies and vintage drive-in movie items. Oh and vintage coolers. I have an old 1950 model Scottsman cooler that is still in the original box. Oh, I have a wonderful old restaurant style milkshake maker that I swear makes the very best of milkshakes. My friends think I am crazy to collect so many items. Oh well! Yet, everyone loves to come to my house because it is like one big walk through the past. Oh, and vintage milk bottles, beverage bottles, mammies, tins,whiskey decanters, and too many things to name.