Washing Day

Today as I shoved clothes into my washing machine, setting the dial for a quick 30 minuet wash, and knowing my gas dryer would have them dry in the same time frame, I marveled at how far we have come in the laundry world. Laundry ready in an hour was unheard of in the “good ole days”. I remember my mother using an old wringer type washer, which was off limits to me and my siblings. They were somewhat dangerous and required a lot of work. Because of this, washing was done on one specific day of the week. At our house, it was Monday. After the clothes were wrung out, they were taken outside to the clothesline to hang, using wooden pegs. Since the clothes were heavy with moisture, the lines had to be propped up with wooden poles, to keep them from sagging to the ground. Before hanging them, she would wipe the clothes line off with a wet rag to rid the line of dirt and bird poop. And then we would take up our rightful place among the windblown sheets as they bellowed in the wind. Of course we were told not to play in the clothes, but who could resist the beaconing fabrics. I can almost feel the excitement as we ran in and out in hide and seek fashion. When the clothes were removed from the line, I remember they smelled fresh. But, I also remember the clothes being frozen on cold winter days.

Ironing was another nightmare. First, almost everything needed to be ironed. We had a wooden ironing board that was infamous for falling, especially if I messed with it. Steam irons did not exist. My mother used a wet cotton cloth she laid between the clothes and the iron. She also had a soda bottle with a stopper with holes, which she would fill with water to sprinkle the clothes before ironing. Sometimes she had a special way of putting her hand in water and splashing it on the clothes. She would then roll them up to conserve the dampness. It almost looked magical as she performed her ironing duty.

I also washed and hung clothes on a clothes line. But, the washer had a spin cycle, thus the clothes line did not have to be propped. I did not need a washing day, but it did take considerable time. Later, I added a dryer. My mother already had the wonderful tool and no longer used the old clothes line. Washing became easier, and a consolation was that the laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box.

But nothing beats how the washer and dryer has evolved to today’s standards. It is great and convenient. Oh blessed day!