THE WAY TO WASH by Cora Olson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1901

THE WAY TO WASH.

By Cora Olson

MRS. CORA OLSON.

(Morrison, O. T.)

Some time ago there appeared in the columns of the REVIEW a request from a sister for helpful suggestions on lightening the work of the family washing. Having had a long experience in doing much work with little strength, perhaps my way of managing may add some to what has already been said.

As soon as baby’s soiled napkins are taken off, I immediately wash them in clear water. This enables me to use many of them the second time without going through all the handling of the regular wash; and when wash-day comes, they are ready to go in with the other washing. I have a “preparation day” for wash-day, in which I prepare by cooking, house cleaning, and doing whatever else can be done on the day before.

On wash-day forenoon I tidy up the house, get dinner, and wash the dinner dishes before beginning to wash. Everything is then in order; and three fourths of the “dread” is removed; and when my strength gives out, or baby needs care, I can sit or lie down in comparative ease, even if the wash tub is in the kitchen.

To make the dirt remove easily I pour hot suds over the white clothes, and allow them to stand for a few minutes or an hour. Hot suds will not set the dirt, but clear hot water will.

I have used seven kinds of washing machines, but have found none that is of any help to me except when some one uses it for me. All of them require a swift motion to do good work, and most women who are weak in body cannot stand the motion of the body required to run a washing machine satisfactorily.

My wash bench is high enough to allow me to stand nearly straight when my fingers touch the bottom of the tub. I use a wringer, and thus my washing is done almost wholly with arm movements. It is not the amount of weight borne on the board that cleans, but the quick, steady forcing of the water through the garment. This is easily understood when you consider how clothing is cleaned by simply rushing the water through the clothes in most washing machines.

Any one following the plan of afternoon washing will, unless her experience is different from mine, meet with much ridicule and sneering. But no one need feel bad or give up for that. It is our solemn duty to do our own work the best with the least expenditure of strength.

To use for clothing only such material as is easily washed, will greatly lighten the work. I use outing or tennis flannel mostly for both under garments and dresses. It is very easily washed, and if care is used in hanging to dry, does nicely without ironing. For those who can afford it, dress linen makes both durable and easily washed under garments, and will bleach white in a short time.