The Wash House

The water pump housed in the sandstone mount, in the back yard, supplied all the domestic water for the home - for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning.
Water was also drawn from here for the boiler and washhouse. On wash days the boiler would be filled, the fire lit beneath and the water heated for washing. When warm, some water would be bailed off into a tub and used to wash dirty clothing. Clothes would be rubbed on a washboard or agitated by a wooden ‘posser’. Cottons or linens might then be boiled.

When cleaned and rinsed, most of the water was removed by wringing or twisting each item. Then they were put through the mangle to squeeze the rest of the water out.

The washed clothing would then be hung out to dry. Finally, the dried clothing and bedding would be ironed with a flat iron, heated by the range.

People had much less clothing than we are accustomed to today. The general rule was: “one on, one off (in the wash) and one for best”.

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