‘He who labors, prays.
What worship, for example, is there not in mere washing.”
— CARLYLE
“It’s broken. There’s no way to use it tonight. I’ll have to order some parts.”
My husband’s words were muffled, coming from the direction of the open drum of our well-worn washing machine. This announcement of doom was coming late Saturday evening, a puddle of dirty water around his feet and a larger pile of unwashed laundry awaiting their cycle in a somewhat orderly heap beside the washing machine.
Broken?!
The washing machine – a heavily used and needed item for a family of 12? Broken?
This cannot be, was my first thought … I can only imagine the huge piles of laundry that would follow if I did not stay on top of my regular laundry schedule.
This indeed felt like terrible news for a mother of ten; “a load a day keeps the laundry mountain away” is my motto … but now, with a broken washing machine, what is the poor housewife to do? A moment of panic was quickly washed away with a moment of responsibility and realization that letting laundry sit would just not suffice.
“Girls, from now on, we’re hand washing everything. No laundry will sit waiting – you use it, we wash it right away,” I said, a fierce desire had set in already – to make sure our home did not overflow with dirty laundry, stinky milk rags (used for washing the cow during milking) or soiled dishcloths (of which we go through a tremendous amount in one day).
Surely I am not the only one who has ever faced this predicament. Surely this is just a test of my organization and work ethics. Sometimes I feel unless you live in a large family, you will not understand the plight of a large family — without a large family imagination – especially in regards to piles of dirty laundry. Yes, I am thankful this is not the summer when our clothes are even more soiled from garden work and outdoor chores. At least, it is winter and we’re not as dirty – little boy pants can be reworn for a few days.
But what about bedding?
Towels? Washcloths, rags, and the likes? We are a family that prides ourselves in re-usuable everything – napkins, etc.
Ah, the good old days of washing clothes by hand… and then I remember the lovely old washing “machine” stored away in our barn … would it be possible to use our antique washing machine for our household needs?
It’s worth a try, I thought.
I gave my husband that look and a smile.
“Oh, hunny, Would you please be able to find and bring in that old washing tub for me?” I asked, a cheerful smile on my face.
My husband did not look amused. That old washer was heavy and it was up in the attic.
“You’re not going to use that, are you? That’s ridiculous. Just take it all to the laundry mat,” he said, putting away his tools.
With some prodding and convincing, it was not long before Mr. Man of the House brought in the heavy old fashioned washing machine, something we had picked up at an estate sale several years ago, but never used. To be honest, I have always wanted to try it but never really had a need to do so. This particular challenge of the broken washing machine presented the perfect opportunity to try laundry washing in the old fashioned way.
What if I could use the machine to help me out? What a fun way to learn history for the children and maybe help speed up the process of our washing — until the modern machine is fixed, at least.
Here is the original advertisement for our particular washer:
{homemade laundry soap}
Do you see these laundry tongs? They were purchased last summer at an estate sale from a 101 year old woman. I can imagine how many loads she did using these tongs! To think that products last for so long is absolutely amazing compared to the trinkets we see on the markets today.
The boys have been a great help, getting the wringer going. It is a two person job, I would say, to use this washer, but we have learned a lot. First off all, I think this actually cleans better than a regular washing machine. And secondly, it does not take as long as a regular load of laundry. The wringing action might take the longest, depending on the strength of the one in charge of the roller. Other than that, it’s fairly a simple process to get your laundry cleaned. I am very impressed with this invention! Mothers from the 1900s must have been so happy to have this washer on their back porch to help them out in their laundry days.
I had some bluing in my cupboard so we used that, as well, for our whites. It felt very true to the time period of the washer, seeing as Mrs. Stewart’s bluing dates back 130 years ago. {Speaking of bluing, have you seen the Road to Avonlea episode where Janet King needs to sell the bluing to her neighbours? It was a very fun episode and one I truly enjoyed watching!}
In my laundry room, I also have my antique iron board, purchased from an estate sale of a 101 year old woman here on the island. Every time I iron, I think of how many times she may have ironed on this very same board, of the lives from long ago. 
Using this antique washer, we have learned that we don’t actually need a washing machine. We are keeping up with the laundry washing, although it has taken very tight organization skills or we would be quickly overloaded with dirty laundry. The wash is done daily and we don’t allow it to sit day after day. 
“Well, we’re going to make great memories,” one of the girls said to me, as we washed up the dirty clothes together. One of my boys admitted he thought using the wringer was a fun chore – I have been so thankful for their help.
Overall, I am not disappointed that our washing machine broke. This has been a fantastic, historical learning experience – and memories, indeed, have been made. Sometime the old paths truly are the best paths.
by Gigi
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