Lessons learned at the wringer's edge

Or wash day blues ... revisited.

Yesterday was definitely a red-letter day at our house. After one month of being out of commission, the Bosch under-counter washer is working again. The 1946 Voss wringer wash machine (manufactured in Davenport Iowa) has been relegated back to the future-home of the fiber studio to wait for a fleece to soak.

I have learned a lot using that machine!

Lesson #1 -- We always heard about Monday's being wash day and Tuesday was ironing day. There was a reason. You can not multi-task while using a wringer wash machine. It might have been easier had I had the laundry stove heated up or the rinse tubs on the stand. But wash was an all day affair!!!! And ironing!!!! I have spent more time over an ironing board than I have in years! Not just an easy swish, swish over the collar and front placket of a shirt. But starch and misting and pressing everything.

I did not have a refrigerator full of dampened laundry. I remember that. But I now am looking for one of those cute sprinkler bottles to mist the laundry. Something with a chicken on it!

Lesson #2 -- when the book tells you to close all slide-closures, do it! I hate putting in zippers. I absolutely detest replacing zippers. I need a new pair of jeans. 'Nuff said.

Lesson #3 -- Have needle and thread handy. So far, I broke one button and popped 4 more. That was why Wednesday was mending day!

Lesson #4 -- There is no helpful-smile-in-every-aisle when you ask "Where is your Rinso?" On a brighter note, I now know that Mrs. Stewart's bluing can be purchased at Stringtown grocery.

Lesson #5 -- Since 1946, I am certain that laundry detergent has been concentrated 15 billion times. The instruction manual said to use 1 cup of Lux or Rinso. I cut it to 1/2 cup of Tide. And I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed ................. well, you get the idea!!!! In the end-- I used 1 tablespoon of Tide and 1 tablespoon of Borax.

Lesson #6 -- I hear women swear that a wringer wash machine cleans clothes better than anything else. I need a lesson. I washed jeans on the "overall"setting -- still have grease and grass stains on them. I'm hoping they will look good today.

And finally..........

Lesson #7 -- For women over the age of 40. Secure all body parts that were formerly perky and now sag down to our knees, with well-constructed, highly wired under-garments. 'Nuff said on that one!!!

Its been an experience. For the most part, a good one. But I have a lot more respect for my grandmothers. The wringer is not a machine for the wimpy! (I like my Bosch! I need to speak nicely to it!)