General Chat

I had a copper tub with a fire under it like that when I got married in the 50's. It eventually finished up in the field with water in for the cow! But they did a good job of the washing, they were really a boiler, not a washing machine. My sister-in-law, only four years younger than me , had never seen one let alone used one. Mum used to boil water for the bungalow bath in hers.

Think what you are looking for is a dolly tub. The water went into the tub, then you bashed the washing with a big wooden basher.
Marion

Hi Claire,Ive been mulling over your request ,have you thought about reclamation yards,we have at least one in Sheffield,and there is one in Newark.

They sell all sorts of goodies from doors to old toilets.

Otherwise,there is a shop in sheffield that still sells galvanised baths and mop buckets,whether they have the items you need or not I don't know,but I could give them a bell,if you like.

Jean, my Mum had one of those washing machines, she would never have a modern one in the house even when I offered to buy her one, but had twin tubs and single ones with the minimangle on, mind you she started out when she got the council house when I was two, with a lovely copper, was it a gas one? I think it was, it came with the house along with a gas cooker.

Lizx

Many a hand was hurt through catching it in the mangle and still turning the handle! My Mum broke a toe when the handle fell off on her foot. Spent many hours turning the handle while Mum put the sheets through. I once had a washing machine with a small electric mangle attached to the top of it. You wrung the clothes out and the water went back in the washing machine.

Thanks everyone ..iv passed the messages and websites onto my sister...what a lot of info!

hijust googled washing doly there is one wooden one to bid for alsao a copper one.

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1032146085/8230c18b.html

Mangle for sale on pre loved

PS its in Suffolk for collection

Wilkinsons sell dolly pegs

I searched.... Washing Dolly

For sale on e bay......

Gwyn

Slightly off theme but does anyone remember the pegs sold by the travellers? I think my brother still has some from Mum's pegbag. They were made from split wood, bound with a piece of a tin and tacked. They were very efficient. We used to have regular travellers calling when we lived in the wilds, for them to fill their water containers from our well.

I was fascinated by their beautiful vans and horses, which were all immaculate.

My nose got the better of me ....


http://www.oldandinteresting.com/washing-dollies.aspx


An interesting site.

Marion

They aren't Dolly pegs, just called Dollies:

"Washing was done in tubs or bucks. These were usually wooden, although metal ones were becoming more common. The actual washing was done with a 'dolly' - a pole with one end shaped either like a cone or a small three-legged stool. This was used to plunge and agitate the clothes in the boiling water. Washboards were becoming more popular, used with a wider, bath shaped tub; these were easier and quicker to use than the old dollies. Clothes would be rubbed with soap to remove stains. Washing machines, although in existence in 1891, were not generally popular and were expensive to buy and run. "

"When the items were fully washed and rinsed, they would be wrung to remove excess water, and hung to dry. Once dry or nearly dry, clothes and bedding would be mangled to smoothe them, sometimes taking the place of ironing. Mangles might also be used for wringing clothes. Mangles were widely owned as they became smaller and more affordable. "

I am amazed that washing machines were available as early as 1891!

You have made me wonder what happened to the old mangle in my Mum's shed when she died., Claire.

Lizx

I HAVE ONE i USE IT TO PUT LOO ROLLS ON WHERE IS YOUR SISTER?
SUE

you might be able to borrow one from the local museum?

Hi Claire
Might be an idea to look at Freecycle online for your area.Sometimes there are some really old items folk want to get rid of,worth a try?

Mau xx

OK - my mistake. Sorry I haven't got one of those!!!

Elisabeth
x

Ah Elisabeth bless you,,
No i meant the thing that looks like a little stool with 3 or 4 legs..stuck on the end of a long pole with a crossways handle on the top..It would go into the tub with the washing and be swished around,

Claire,

Do you mean Dolly pegs as in old fashioned pegs that you could make a dolly out of? If you do I will send you a few in the post.

Love,
Elisabeth
x

Has anyone , on their travels, seen a Dolly Peg or a Mangle for sale..?
My sister does 1940's re-enactment and needs one for her display, She has the other stuff,,ie Dolly Tub and Posher,
We have tried e-bay..i just thought someone might have seen one in a shop somewhere,,,a long shot i know.