Washing Clothes – Then and Now
How we used to wash clothes
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Getting clothes clean is something everyone must do. Throughout history, several ways of accomplishing this have been devised. Nothing, though, beats using a washing machine.
Long ago, some societies tried wearing flowers and perfumes to cover up the smell of dirty laundry. This was soon considered ineffective, and people took to washing their clothes in nearby creeks or lakes. The washboard was likely the first standardized invention for cleaning clothes. It consisted of a simple piece of corrugated metal held in place by wooden strips. Clothes would be rubbed up and down the metal part to ease scrubbing.
It was a big deal when the first washing machine was invented. With one of these, all a housewife or laundry girl had to do was sit there and push a foot pedal. The machine would then agitate the clothes without much effort needed on the part of the operator.
Motorizing this invention came soon after, but many people still insisted on using an old-fashioned laundry tub and washboard due to the high cost of the machine. Just like now, however, the prices of new inventions started out high and then plunged. Soon, everyone was able to afford a washing machine.
The arrival of the washing machine
Many improvements have come to clothes washing technology since then. When agitators came along, machines equipped with them were considered the best way to get dirt out of laundry. Recently, however, machines without agitators are considered the most efficient variety. Today’s agitator-free models usually use an arrangement of fins to keep clothes in motion.
If someone’s washing machine doesn’t work, they are unlikely to go back to washing in the tub or sink. Instead, they’ll go to the local coin laundry and use their machines. Eventually, even this short trip becomes too much of a pain to do on a weekly basis. To eliminate it, they’ll add a simple line to their to-do lists: “Fix washing machine.”
Fixing a washing machine can be a simple job or a difficult one, depending on what’s wrong with the machine. In fact, diagnosing a problem is often the hardest part of such a project. To avoid the hassle of buying the wrong parts, it’s often best to have a professional come out to diagnose the cause of the difficulty. Once the problem has been found, the owner of the machine can then fix it or have the professional do the repair.
The first time a washing machine malfunctions, it’s usually best to let the professional do both the diagnosis and the repair. This is because the cost for the visit is often a substantial part of the repairman’s total fee. That makes it cost effective to have him go ahead and fix the machine while he’s there.
It’s common for washing machines to need repairs. This is because they have many moving parts and have to handle the weight of a basket full of water and clothes. It’s a good idea to find a repair service company right when you first buy a washing machine. That way, when “fix washing machine” is on your list of things to do, you won’t have to worry about how to go about it.
Disclaimer: Please note that these hints and tips are provided for your interest and ease of reference only. We cannot accept any responsibility for any advice or information contained in them. If you are in doubt about how to fix a problem with your appliance, you should always book a repair by a qualified repairer.
