Doing the Laundry - - - -

The laundry was done on the back porch (in the summer) in a machine similar to the one below. It was filled with hot water and, of course, detergent.

The whites were always washed first, because the water was clean and hot. After the clothes agitated for a while, they were pulled out and run through the wringer. This was usually accomplished using a wooden spoon, because the water was still hot. On the other side of the wringer was a tub of cool water for rinsing. Clothes were lifted in and out of the water numerous times to rinse the soap off and then run back through the wringer. The handle on the side of the ringer allowed it to swing around to the position needed for rinsing or into a basket. Then came hanging out the laundry (see post below). Whites were hung first, 'cause they were first to wash! Next usually came light colors, then dark colors, towels and levis last, as the water cooled and became not so clean. Untold numbers of fingers and hands have gone through wringers. They did have a safety feature that popped the wringers open if too much went through, saving many a broken bone.

I used one for quite a while when Jason was a baby. It was actually quite enjoyable to do the laundry outside in the shade of the trees.