Laundry Day the Vintage Way

April 15 is National Laundry Day. How will you celebrate? Probably by doing your laundry. The average person does 2 loads a week. Multiply that by the number of people in your household and it can add up to quite a few loads. So yes, you will probably be soaking, spinning, drying or folding something.

Laundry is the most popular household task, with 24% of American Cleaning Institute survey respondents saying they like it best, followed by cleaning counters and vacuuming tied at 21%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that per the 2015 American Time Use Survey, women spent 17 minutes a day on laundry, over 3x more than the average man’s 5 minutes of laundry time. (That statistic is a few years old, we’re sure that must have evened out by now.) Only 22% of Americans use that controversial drying method, the outdoor clothesline. Believe it or not, towns and property associations that have an exaggerated interest property values have banned the use of clotheslines, prompting 19 states to enact “Right to Dry” laws.

While you might not want to do your laundry entirely the vintage way, there’s no reason that laundry day can’t have vintage style. We’re not talking about a wringer washing machine, although we applaud you if you are using one. We’re talking about laundry aids that still have form and function and bring vintage swagger to America’s favorite household task.

Vintage Hampers

Laundry day starts at the hamper. Hampers take up visible real estate in your home and they should be worthy of that space. A big box store molded plastic hamper does not make much of a decor statement. But a vintage hamper does. There are a surprising number of vintage hampers for sale and there is plenty of demand. Depending on style and condition prices can range from $25 to $300.

Laundry Baskets

There is nothing boring about these plastic laundry baskets, which also do a bang up job corralling things like sandbox toys and garden tools. A sturdy vintage wicker laundry basket is also a good choice. Or, if you have a laundry chute, choose a wheeled cart to catch the incoming dainties.

Washboards

Washboards are not just for decor. There are lots of people who still do hand laundry and still use washboards. They are commonly made in metal and glass. And yes, a vintage washboard will work just as well as a modern one. There are zero statistics to back this up, but the little Dubl Handi washboard must have been a smash bestseller based on the number we’ve seen online and at flea markets. It’s the perfect size for washing the hand laundry in the kitchen sink.

If you’re intrigued by both the environmental advantages and the low tech efficiency of washboards, C|net has a good tutorial on how to use a washboard.

Clothespins, Clothes pegs and Caddies

Whether your clothesline is in the basement or in the backyard, you need clothespins and a place to keep them. What’s your preference, the spring-loaded clothespin or the straight wood clothespin (clothes peg if you’re in England)?

More Laundry Day Reading

Wondering how often your different garments need to be washed? Good Housekeeping has a chart.

Read the 1922 pamphlet You and Your Laundry, advising housewives how to use new technology like washing machines to increase their productivity.

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