Originally Posted by LivelyLady
Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again,kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.
"Warshing Clothes Recipe" -- imagine having a recipe for this.
Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave a new bride the following recipe:
This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - spelling errors and all.
WARSHING CLOTHESBuild fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water.Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert.Shave one whole cake of lie soap in boilin water.Sort things, make 3 piles1 pile white,1 pile colored,1 pile work britches and rags.To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil,then rub colored don't boil just wrench (rinse) and starch.Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.Hang old rags on fence.Spread tea towels on grass.Pore wrench water in flower bed.Scrub porch with hot soapy water.Turn tubs upside down.Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.
Monday used to be laundry day for many Christian women because the task was so physically demanding, it helped to have a day of rest first. Serving a big Sunday dinner not only made the Sabbath special, it meant that there were leftovers to make Monday's meals easier to prepare.
No wonder commercial laundries were typically one of the first businesses established in new towns! And even if there weren't a commercial laundry, taking in cleaning was a way for a woman to earn a little extra money.