10 Old Cleaning Items Remind Us What Laundry Day Used To Be Like

Can you imagine what it must have been like to use a mechanical washing machine for the first time?

The great thing about antiques is that they give us a glimpse into what life was like in the past. While browsing through our user-submitted photos, we couldn’t help but notice all of the antique and vintage items we used to help keep our clothes clean.

Check out the following demonstration of some antique washing machines in action. Can you imagine what it must have been like to use a mechanical washing machine for the first time?

Take a look at some of our favorite, user-submitted photos!

from: Anita Anderson Hale: “The string chairs were inherited from my Cora Willeford, my husband’s grandmother. The ironing board was purchased many years ago at Canton, TX. It used to have a paper print on top of the board, but is has since been lost.”
from: Kim Jennings: “Can anyone tell me something this. Its a Johnson 1915 copper washing machine. I’m hoping it might be worth something but I don’t know. Thanks in advance”
from: Shari Prowse: “Got this old wooden ironing board at a yard sale on Sunday for $15. Seemed like a lot but it was at least 80 years old and very primitive with no wires. Likely hand made too. I cleaned it up with a bit of stain and clear coat… It will make a nice table.”
from: Miechel Garrett Frezza: “All original Syracuse Washing Machine Corporation washing machine. I believe this to be a RARE PIECE. I have worn myself out trying to find more information on this item. “
from: Annette Petratur: “This is how my grandma did the laundry at their farm. I remember her hauling water up from the creek, never having indoor plumbing into the 70’s.”
from: Paula Surgener: “I found this a few weeks ago. I couldn’t resist. It is a early 1900s wooden washing machine”
from: Carol Blizzard Braden: “Rug Beaters – one is a pillow fluffer vs a childs size Rug Beater; one has another name … used with the iron pots to either cook on or do laundry.The broken one in the middle, the wire ladle skimmer/strainer. Anyone have its proper name?”
from: Kathy Flexer Groff: “Old wooden ironing board”
from: Eric Weidner: “An old rocker action washing machine made by The Anthony Wayne Mfg Co, St Louis, MO. It has been in my family for years. I would love to know more about it and if it has any value?”
Subscribe to Dusty Old Thing