My washing clothes skills have evolved considerably since my growing up years on the farm. Since our farmhouse did not have running water, preparing for the washing process was quite involved.
The wringer washing machine was stored in the porch and had to be moved into the kitchen along with a double tub containing water that the soap filled clothes could be rinsed in.
Once the clothes had been agitated in the washing machine, they were fed into the wringer which sat above the washing machine tub. The wringer consisted of two cylinders, one on top of the other.
The soap filled clothes were fed into the space between the double cylinders which applied pressure and squeezed the soapy water out and the flattened clothes were dumped into the tub with rinse water.
The well water on our farm was so alkaline we were not able to use it for drinking or washing. So, an underground cistern sat next to the house which captured rainwater from the eave troughs of the house. Soft water and no Culligan Man needed! 🙂
So, when washing day arrived a very heavy cement cover had to be removed from the top of the cistern and a long leather strap attached to a metal pail dropped into the water below.
Then the heavy pail of water had to be pulled upward through the cistern opening. A job carried out only by our father.
I can still remember peering into that cement tank and occasionally seeing a frog swimming on the water’s surface.
My hands were always gripping tightly to the cement edge of the cistern fearful that I might topple into the abyss.
Many pails of water had to be carried into the house in order to fill the washing machine and the twin tubs.
What about the dryer you say?
The dryer consisted of a clothesline, sunshine and a gentle breeze.
Oh, how good those clothes smelled when Mother Nature had the drying responsibility!
The clothes’ washing process has gotten much simpler, thank goodness.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things that need to be learned in order to be a successful clothes washer.
The fifty-four years I was married to my wife Kathie I didn’t keep up on the latest clothes washing rules. That was Kathie’s department.
But sadly, Kathie is no longer with us, so I have been forced to relearn the rules of clothes washing
The first rule I was reminded of was not to over dry blue jeans.
I am the owner of three pairs of blue jeans that have been converted into “flood pants” ! 🙁
Also, I remember Kathie pulling up a screen just inside the dryer door and cleaning out accumulated lint.
Then I forgot about that important task for several months.
When I finally decided I should check the screen I almost passed out from shock!
A huge clump of gray and white fibers filled the screen to overflowing. When I shared a picture of the lint buildup with my Facebook friends, I was severely scolded.
“Didn’t you know you could have burned your house down?” several Facebook friends replied.
One young lady said, “I clean my dryer screen every time I use it!”
So, I have adapted her dryer screen habit, and I sleep better as a result.
The scariest part of washing clothes is determining which color of clothes can be washed together.
After a few washings I realized most of my clothes are so old that the dyes have pretty much escaped. So, I’ve quit worrying about that. 🙂
Well, after writing that blog, I was reminded of that old cistern on the farm. It sure would be fun to be able to pull up a pail full of water just one time. Although I was too young to do it years ago, now I think I might be too old!
Until next time.
