Hand Washing by The Riverbanks

At the very start of civilization, the river was the communal “laundromat” for the masses. People would congregate by the for a steady source of water and used simple tools like rocks for scrubbing or wooden bats for pounding to help rid their clothes of dirt and sweat.

Even today, in poorer communities in the world, you can still witness these extremely effective old-fashioned laundry techniques.

The Introduction of Cleaning Agents

With the growth of society, garments became more commonplace, people had larger wardrobes, and with that came the need for more efficient ways to do laundry.

Historians have found archaeological evidence of civilizations dating as early as 2800 BC, that started using cleaning agents – created by combining animal fats with ashes or other rudimentary methods of creating soap-like materials. Ancient Romans even used (to much of our horror) urine as a stain remover and sulfur as a whitening substance– boy are we thankful for modern detergents!

The Invention of Washing Tools & Machines

To cope with the increasing loads of laundry, and with more washing happening away from the riverside, tools and machines were invented to make the grueling task of laundry more efficient.

Wooden washtubs, essential to store large quantities of water required for soaking and washing the clothes and washboards with grooves helped with scrubbing stains were some of the most common tools that were staples of any laundry lady. 

In 1691, one of the first hand-powered washing machines were designed – rotative drum-like containers with textured sides and some even with paddles to help agitate the clothes to help remove dirt. However, this technology remained a luxury for many.

The New Age Washing Machine

Once the idea of a “powered” washing machine was seeded, society saw many iterations of washing machines until the first electric washer for the masses was introduced in 1908. 

Known simply as the Thor, it was a drum-type machine with an electric motor – one of the earliest versions of the modern washing machine as we know it.

Over the years, more improvements were made to the washing machines:

Replacement of wooden tubs with metal tubs

White enameled metal for the exterior to make it easier to clean.

Introduction of timing mechanism to allow the machine to run for a fixed wash cycle.

New features like controlling temperature (thanks to the introduction of gas heaters) and speed.

Introducing the Modern Detergent

Due to shortages of natural fats and oils to make soap during the First World War, manufacturers moved towards creating synthetic detergent for the first time.

Proctor and Gamble, the familiar FMCG company that creates plenty of our household products, is credited with launching one of the first synthetic detergents, Dreft, for household use. And in 1946, they launched one of the most familiar detergent brands we know today – Tide.

The Modern Dryer

Compared to the washing machine, the ancestor of the modern dryer (using a rack and heat from a stove) was invented much later only in 1892. 

Prior to that clothes were mostly dried out in the sun – which was subject pretty much to weather conditions. 

In the early 18th and 19th centuries, people invented a poorly designed machine with metal drums with holes rotating over an open fire – imagine roasting your clothes, that is what it is like! However, that came with plenty of problems like the clothes smelling of smoke or even dirtied again thanks to the soot.

And the dryer as we know it today, only surfaced in very recent times, in 1938, an electric automatic dryer produced by the Hamilton Manufacturing Company of Two Rivers.

Over the century, more improvements were made to the dryer:

• Introduction of dryness sensors
• Permanent press cycles
• Delayed start timers
• And many more

More Modern Laundry Conveniences 

As societies became more affluent, laundry machines and even dryers became a modern staple in households. 

Later, thanks to urbanization and smaller homes, these large appliances had to go – leading to the adoption of new laundry conveniences like your coin-operated laundromats or drop-off laundry services in the neighborhood.

And with more double-income families with little time to spare after work or on the weekends, time-consuming tasks like laundry tend to get outsourced via convenient pick-up services. 

All in the name of space and timing saving!

Which of these modern laundry conveniences appeal the most to you?

Need a Modern Laundry Solution for Your Household?

Staying in Brooklyn? Brooklyn Wash N Fold is your friendly and professional laundromat for all your laundry solutions. 

Here is a list of the services we can help you with:

• Wash and Fold Services: Not interested in waiting around for your laundry? Come in, drop it off and collect it again – all washed and folded for you.
• Pick-up and Drop-off Laundry Services – No time to even come to drop off your laundry? No problem, we got you!

We offer affordable pick-up and drop-off laundry services for residential and commercial clients! Simply drop us a call at 718-421-5245 if you have any questions about your laundry needs!