Introduction to Washboards
Washboards were widely utilized in the 19th century for the purpose of washing laundry after their invention in the 18th century. Washing boards were considered a useful tool for individuals who cleaned clothing back then, before the development of the modern washing machine. However, despite the fact that washing machines existed at the time, washboards were still preferred over the earliest versions of washing machines because, as per popular opinion, they were regarded as more efficient.
For how to use one, you would first soak your selected article of laundry in hot, soapy water in a bucket, sink, or washtub. After that, you place the washboard into the container you are using to hold the water. Remove any loose dirt by pressing and rubbing the article against the washboard's ridges all the way down into the water. After that, you would scrub the fabric until it was clean.
Variations of Washboards
A variety of materials have been used to make washboards, but in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, galvanized steel ridges were the most common. More recently, some boards have been built out of glass, and washboards with brass ridges are still produced.
The material used to create washboards was changed to avoid the usage of metal because there wasn't enough scrap metal available during World War II to continue manufacturing washboards with metal ridges. The majority of washboards produced at that time used wood or, more commonly, glass as a substitute; but, after the war, metals became widely available once more, and glass washboards lost their appeal.
Modern Manufacturing / Other Uses
As was briefly mentioned earlier, while washboards are still made and used today, the only factory still producing washboards is an American business called Columbus Washboard Co., which has been operating since 1895. In 1999, the company was on the verge of going out of business, but they were able to bounce back and have since seemed to thrive, selling thousands of washboards each year.
The original use of washboards as well as many other uses are still carried out today, such as instruments, crafts, decorations, and furnishings. It appears that some people, notably campers, historical re-enactors, and members of the Amish community, still do their laundry on washboards.
Imaginative people also use them as background beat for music .... much more fun than scrubbing clothes.
Sources for information/images
(click on the button to view)
Commentaires