In the past, people used to wash their clothes byhand. They would rub the clothes with a bar ofsoap and then rinse them in clean water. Therewere many different objects to help with thewashing, such as a washboard, but it was always

hard work.

GlossaryGlossaryGlossary

IroningOnce the washing was dry, it wouldbe time for the ironing. A heavy flatiron was heated over a fire, wiped to

remove soot and ashes, and then used before itcooled. Irons were used in pairs, with one

heatingwhile theother wasbeing used.

Heating the waterWater was heated over a coal

fire or in a gas boiler. Aftersoaking, the washing wasput into a big dolly tub.

Cleaning the clothesA dolly peg was twisted

backwards and forwards inthe tub, to agitate the

clothes and remove the dirt.

A triangular-shaped piece ofiron with a handle on top

which could be made very hotby standing in the fire.

A machine with wooden rollersturned by a handle. The

clothes were fed through therollers to squeeze out the

water.

A big tub in which the clothescould be washed in hot water,

using the dolly peg.

A long wooden device whichwould be turned back andforth up to 100 times to

remove dirt from the clothes.

flat irflat irflat ironononmanglemanglemangledolly tubdolly tubdolly tubdolly pegdolly pegdolly peg

DryingAfter rinsing, much of thewater could be removed by

squeezing the clothes through amangle (also known as awringer).

Literacy Time 1/2 No 10. Spring term. © Scholastic Ltd 2004.Poster2 © IL

LUST

RATI

ON

© S

YD B

RAK,

IRO

N ©

TO

PHAM

PIC

TURE

PO

INT.

A dolly tub and dolly peg

Jana2-2b.p65 09/10/2003, 10:281