Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

My dream machine

When our washing machine needed a new belt last weekend, I kept thinking about my favorite washing machine.  It was an old Maytag Wringer Washer that I used at my Grandma's home when I was growing up. Years later, I had one that I used until about 1993.  I really miss that old machine.  To me, it cleaned much better than the machines that came around later.  You had control over the length of time the clothes were agitated, something that I really appreciated when cleaning heavily soiled clothing.  I never had anything come out stained. 

Grandma kept her wringer washer in the bathroom so that it could be moved closer to the sink for filling & draining.  I kept mine on the back porch in a mud room where there was a large utility sink installed.  I have watched some women with these machines using them out in their yard or on an open porch where they had a large metal tub setting to catch the clothing as it come from the wringer.  They had a clothesline set up nearby to hang the clothing on. 

It is interesting to me how in an age where there is so much new technology, it is the old ways that I long for.  The old ways were more work intensive.  The wringer wasn't called a hand masher for no reason!  In spite of the extra work and care that you needed to give the tasks, I find a comfort and peace in it. 

Untitled Comment

01:49, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

I was just commenting on someone else's blog, how I remember washing laundry when I was a little girl, and would spend time with her during the summers. She had an old wringer machine (older than the one you posted here), and we always did the laundry outside. It was the kids job to help in any way possible, and we had a blast doing it. We hung all the laundry on three long clotheslines, and what was left over (usually towels), got hung on the fence! LOL I wish I could go back to one of those wash days now, and take some pictures of this day event.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo