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 Do you want to launder an easier way?

9/6/2015

10 Comments

 
Pictureold poster - en.wikipedia.org
 Humans differ from other primates in many ways—one of those being wearing clothes and decorating our houses. But, rather than licking our fur, our apparel needs to be washed.

In our long history, the task has been assigned to women.

Over the last hundred years, the way we launder our clothes has changed from a basic hand operated barrel to a machine that handles different washing cycles and loads. Although the technology inside has developed, the basic design of a front-loading washing machine has not altered for years. But that is about to change.

The first-ever washing machine that simultaneously handles two separate loads could take some of the hassle out of doing laundry.

The Twin Wash system from LG Electronics features an ample-sized, front-loading washer resting atop a mini-unit that opens like a drawer. Small batches of clothing such as delicate items can wash below at the same time as the barrel above.

A presentation by the South Korean consumer electronics giant will reveal the machine at a major Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. LG Electronics USA will link the washing machine to LG HomeChat wireless network to let people monitor progress using smartphones. Availability and pricing details were not released.

The Twin Wash system uses LG’s TurboWash 2.0 speed cycle technology. Twin nozzles spray detergent onto the fabric, while TurboSteam sprays hot steam onto the clothes to prevent shrinkage caused by overdrying. See the picture at BT

Picturewringer on washing machine - www.flickr.com
 Over the last sixty years, I've washed using many different methods; from boiling nappies in a copper heated by a fire below, 
to a single tub with a hand cranked wringer, 
to a twin tub with an electric wringer between barrels, 
and on to various top and front loading electric washing machines.

In 1954, I lived in Prahran, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Here's a snippet from the memoirs I'm writing at the moment.

“Now, it's time to talk about your monthly period,” Mummy said.

I frowned and blinked, having heard things about this from other girls.

“One day, you'll find a spot of blood on your panties.” The nice expression on her face dropped and a glint came from her eyes like it did when I'd done something wrong. “It's nothing to worry about. It's perfectly natural. It happens to something that happens when a girl reaches maturity.”

“I'm mature?”

“You will be very shortly. Just come to me when it happens and I'll show you what to do.”

In one of the two cement troughs in the outside laundry, she showed me how to soak cloth pads. A copper stood in the corner on the far side of the trough. Underneath, she used to light a fire with kindling to heat the water for washing. She'd grate a bar of Lux soap over hot water and wriggle her hands around to make a lather, and then soak the clothes in the sudsy water before lifting them into the other side containing cold water for rinsing.

 In 1965, my husband, children and I moved to the top of the mountain under a TV transmitter in South Australia. Another snippet follows.

High on the mountaintop in Mt. Lofty, I washed nappies in the laundry—a separate room to one side of the house, divided by a narrow path between the walls. I used an old-style part electric washing machine. Better than washing by hand, but the items still needed to be rinsed in fresh water and the excess water wrung out. Natural optimism coming to the fore while my husband was at work, I kept myself fit by using the chore as an exercise. I'd lift an article from the tub, hand crank it through the wringer, bend double to rinse in a bucket on the floor, and back to the wringer for the final squeeze. The docile puppy kept me company while the children played in the 'coach-house' playroom, their happy calls assuring me of their welfare.

Now, I wash in the good-old front-loading machine. The autumn weather allows me to hang clothes outside on a rotary dryer. However, during winter, I hang all the wet articles inside.

Would you welcome the new-style washing machine?

10 Comments
Amy link
9/6/2015 04:40:14 am

That new washing machine sounds intriguing! As is our custom, though, we'll keep our old one running until it absolutely can not wash one more thing, and then we'll look around for a new one. I love the smile on that woman's face. She looks so happy to be doing the laundry! Ha!

Reply
Sophie Bowns link
9/6/2015 06:53:13 am

I can't imagine not having a washing machine and people used to have to do the same with babies nappies. I suppose it's much better for the environment in the long run!

Reply
Nick #thisyearinmusic link
9/6/2015 07:13:12 am

I use a standard washing machine I'm afraid.

But if these new fangled machines come into play, we might get more videos like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv91v9pKZQw

Reply
Barbara link
9/6/2015 09:13:44 am

Ha ha After doing 4 loads of laundry yesterday, I would have to say an undeniable "yes" to the new washer. :)

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Barbara Bianchi link
9/6/2015 09:16:36 am

I don't usually do 4 loads in one day. I had a guest coming for the weekend. :)

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Laurel Regan link
9/6/2015 11:28:49 am

Two loads at once - what an intriguing concept! Back when I lived in a condo and shared a laundry room with the rest of the building's occupants, it was awfully nice to have access to multiple washing machines to use at one time (assuming they were free) - sure sped up the process!

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Alana link
9/6/2015 12:05:32 pm

I would consider a new machine only after my old one (4 years old, replaced after a major flood took out the old one) quits. I have vague memories of my mother using a wringer washer in the apartment we spent my first five years in. After that she used something called a "semi-automatic", which could be hooked up to the sink faucet but you had to control the filling.

Reply
Shilpa Garg link
9/6/2015 02:09:40 pm

Two loads at once sounds great. I'd love to check it out!

Reply
Corey link
9/7/2015 06:57:39 pm

Great post here! 2 Loads at once would be amazing! I just go to laundry mat and use those giant machines lol

Reply
Susan Friesen link
9/8/2015 09:29:22 am

When my kids were young a machine that did 2 loads at once would sound heavenly! Now our "normal" machine suffices with only a few loads a week. It will be interesting to see how things evolve to get faster, better, more more more out of them!

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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