A posser could be used to agitate clothes in a tub.Īn early example of washing by machine is the practice of fulling. Sometimes large metal cauldrons (a “wash copper”, even when not made of that metal), were filled with fresh water and heated over a fire, as hot or boiling water is more effective than cold in removing dirt. Washhouse in Sanremo, Italy, at about the turn of the 20th century. It was a women-only space where they could discuss issues or simply chat. Washerwomen (laundresses) took in the laundry of others, charging by the piece.Īs such, washhouses were an obligatory stop in many women’s weekly lives and became a sort of institution or meeting place. The job of doing the laundry was reserved for women, who washed all their family’s laundry. This washhouse usually contained two basins – one for washing and the other for rinsing – through which the water was constantly flowing, as well as a stone lip inclined towards the water against which the wet laundry could be beaten. Water was channeled from a stream or spring and fed into a building, possibly just a roof with no walls. Villages across Europe that could afford it built a washhouse, sometimes known by the French name of lavoir. It is said that the washing machine did more to liberate women in the 20th century than the pill or the right to work or vote.īefore the advent of the washing machine, laundry was often done in a communal setting. I probably never got to help with washing again and likely didn’t want to.Vintage Photos Show the Early Days of Washing Machines, 1880s-1950s Black is the only color I remember about my arm. He stitched the wound, wrapped my arm and put it in a sling. We rushed to the doctor who was about 30 minutes away. Lamentations 3:22-23(NLT)Īs the east is from the west. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! It has taken me many years to learn that performance does not go hand in hand with love. I also took this misgiving into my marriage and into my relationship with Jesus. I have taken that attitude with me through life that if I did not measure up to someone’s standards, they would not love me as much. The look on her face was one of panic, but in my young mind it was a look of disappointment and that she would not love me as much anymore. I must have screamed out because my aunt turned around with a stricken look on her face and immediately unplugged the washer. Well, I held on too long and the wringer took my hand and arm up to my elbow where it started spinning because it could go on farther. Then you would have to stop the machine and try to unwrap the cloth taking time and effort. I was sure to hold on to it because if you let it go too soon the cloth would wrap around the roller. I asked her if it was time, but she didn’t hear me over the noise of the washing machine, so I took the opportunity and put the handkerchief in the roller. I didn’t know it would be my arm! She had told me I could put the cloth in, but I got tired of waiting. I was eager to put something through the wringer and watch it get squashed and roll out the other side. How I wanted to try washing clothes like my aunt! I had spent the night with her and my uncle.
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