Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I got a new washing machine!


 

 So I got a new washing machine. No, it's not one of those fancy smancy front-end loaders. Although I'll admit I'd love to have one. This beauty literally landed in my lap for free and ended up on my porch, country style!
 
What type washing machine is it that has my heart beating faster than a speed cycle?
 
 
 
Wha-la! 
 
 
 
A Speed Queen with a huge stainless steel tub large enough to hold  kinds of heavy comforters, rugs or even thick hunting coats and coveralls.

 

Check it out. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Isn’t she great? I say she 'cause us girls stick together when it comes to age and such, but I'm estimating this particular Speed Queen to have been manufactured around 1940-1950. Her value, probably about $400.00. And I'll bet this heavy duty washing machine has seen many loads of clothes, bedspreads, blankets, you name it. That tub's reaaaalllly big! Imagine, because of this niffty appliance, countless of children marched off to school in freshly laundered little duds.


Although a wringer washer requires a little more work than what we're used to, like feeding the clothers through the rolling pins, and then rinsing them in an entirely different wash tub filled with water (that gets sudsy quicker than you think) it sure beats some of the other washing machines.

Like this one:  I don't think it'd hold more
than a couple pair or blue jeans.
 
 
 
 
Yep, no doubt this invention was greeted wholeheartedly by women everwhere. Much easier than this good ol' fashioned wash board, right? And try using homeade lye soap made from animal fat! 
 
 
 
 
 
Look at that face! She's actually smiling? Wash day...happy day. What'dya think?
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

10 comments:

  1. I do remember how wringer washer! Was renting a flat up in Darwin way back when I was in my early to mid twenties. They had one of these and I just HATED it as everytime I tried to wind my sheets through they would start winding around the top part and hitting the lever to stop it wouldn't work so by the time I did get it to stop I had one big mess and would take me ages to unwind it as it was wound around so tight.
    and put rubber diapers through that wringer diapers and explodes and I ruined a couple of shirts
    And you had the clothes you déjas caught in the wringer? or ruined a couple of shirts?

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    1. Funny story, Anne! I'll bet it became a real wrestling match just to get the sheet back! Those rollers would pull in anything close enough to latch onto. My brother and I would shove plastic army men and matchbox cars through whenever mom's back was turned. Would have been a blast to watch a diaper explode!
      She would have fell over!
      : )

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  2. How cool is that! I love your new washer and would definitely give it a try if I had one. I'm lucky to have a nice big washer and dryer that fits all those huge comforters too and they aren't those fancy smancy ones either (my wallet can't handle the cost...lol).

    As for the washboard, I actually remember my grandma had that and a huge tub and wringer in her basement when I was little and when all her kids pitched in to get her a new version she was thrilled. This was in the 70's. lol

    Happy Wash Day to you Tere!

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  3. I loved it when Mom rolled out the washer and set up two huge tubs of rinse water. I'll never forget the sudsy smell, either. Or how gray the water got after a couple of loads. And why the order of washing the whites first, then colored always stuck with me.
    The washboard I found in an antique store in KY. The lady said it was around the turn of the century because it had wooden pegs rather than screws. I always get a feeling (aura, kind of) of the woman who worked so hard for her family.
    Thanks for coming by!

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  4. Great history lesson, Tereasa. I've actually used a washboard. They don't need electricity. :) As you know, I grew up in a household that had a wringer washer. Those were the days.

    Thanks for the time travel. Annette

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  5. My pleasure, Annette. Luckily, I've never used a washboard but I did watch someone use a bucket and a plunger once. Very funny, like churning butter.
    Glad you came by!

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  6. Wow, and I thought I hated doing laundry now. Cool find, Tere!

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  7. I know, we forget how good we have it. When I think of my poor aunt washing clothes for fourteen! Seriously...then have to feed them as well. ((: 0

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  8. Excellent post! I must thank you for this informative read. I hope you will post again soon.
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    Replies
    1. So glad you found it interesting, Star and so glad you stopped by. I'm always on the lookout for some new finds and love to show them off here.
      Best wishes

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Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. You're awesome!