Old Antique Vintage Washing Machines
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Vintage Washing Machines
Old Antique Vintage Washing Machines
These days, not too many people in America can imagine washing their clothes by hand. We've gotten used to electric clothes washers and dryers that do the job for us. But, before these convenient devices were invented, people used to spend hours wringing out their clothes in machines similar to this one and then try to find space to hang them all up to dry. As you can imagine, this was an exhausting task. In the modern era, vintage washing machines are valuable collectibles for people who dream of a "simpler" era.
Of course there are places even now where electricity is not readily available and people still wash their clothes by hand. In fact you can even find many modern hand washing machines for sale on Amazon, like The Laundry POD. These are great for extended camping trips and for areas where there is no way to use a modern washing machine with electricity.
These days, not too many people in America can imagine washing their clothes by hand. We've gotten used to electric clothes washers and dryers that do the job for us. But, before these convenient devices were invented, people used to spend hours wringing out their clothes in machines similar to this one and then try to find space to hang them all up to dry. As you can imagine, this was an exhausting task. In the modern era, vintage washing machines are valuable collectibles for people who dream of a "simpler" era.
Of course there are places even now where electricity is not readily available and people still wash their clothes by hand. In fact you can even find many modern hand washing machines for sale on Amazon, like The Laundry POD. These are great for extended camping trips and for areas where there is no way to use a modern washing machine with electricity.
Contents at a Glance
Important!
Vintage Washing Machine
Vintage Washing Machine photo by aussiegall
Washing Machine Museum
The current record holder for the largest collection of vintage and antique washing machines is a fellow named Lee Maxwell, who has collected more than 2,000 machines and currently operates the Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum. Look for his entry in the Guiness Book of World Records and be sure to look up his museum in Eaton, Colorado. The videos I've listed below are from inside his museum.
Manual Wash Machine Demonstrations
Manual Washing Machines
This is a video tour of many of the manual washing machines at the Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum in Eaton, Co.
curated content from YouTube
Washing Machine History
Vintage Washing Machines
Washing Machine History
In the middle to late 19th century, there were quite a few washing machine models floating around. Ideas and patents ranged from practical models to ones that were apparently invented by someone who has never washed a load of dirty laundry in their lives. (If you'll remember, most patents were being registered by men who, if they were married, often had nothing to do with the housework.)A couple of ideas that never quite made it to market are a plunger-like device that had already been bypassed by more advanced models and a washer that vaguely resembled a wheelbarrow and had to be pushed to get it to work. If you have trouble imagining somebody using a plunger to do the laundry or pushing their clothes washer around the yard, you probably see why these ideas never took off.
Pictured: Antique Washing Machine photo by Rick on Flickr.
Even some of the early electric models had a distinctly vintage look. An early electric washing machine consisted of a wooden drum that clothes could be inserted into and a lever-and-pulley system that could be used to turn the drum eight revolutions one way, and then reverse directions for eight revolutions the other way. They had no lid or safety system, so the person handling it would have to be careful not to get body parts or hair caught in the moving parts. Another, slightly safer model had a clutch that would disengage the machine when the lid was raised. Much of the advertising for vintage electric washing machines touted the safety of their models, though the person operating it should still be careful to keep body parts and hair away from moving parts.
Vintage Washing Machine Dealers
Old Washing Machines
Vintage Washing Machine Advertisement Print - Buy Here
Many dealers in vintage household machines may have a few vintage washing machines around. Due to the cost of shipping full size machines, buying and selling online can be somewhat prohibitive but you can reach a larger audience by featuring smaller models or salesmen's portable demo machines. People who have an old vintage machine in their basement may favor eBay for unloading it. Collectors of vintage items like to shop at flea markets, local antique shops and visit the websites of people who routinely buy, sell and trade old washing machines.
Antique Washing Machines photo by Dottie Mae
Vintage Washing Machines on eBay
Vintage Washing Machines
Antique Easy Washing Machines
Easy Washing Machines
Important!
Antique Washing Machine Photo
Antique Maytag Washing Machines
Antique Maytag Machines
Antique Maytag Washing Machine
Important!
Antique Washboards
One of the most labor intensive manual washing machines is the simple antique washboard. By scrubbing the clothes in a tub of water against the ridges of the washboard the dirt would be removed from the clothes. Scrub, scrub, scrub to get them clean. These are still used today by many people in developing countries who have access to water or rivers to clean their clothes. Alternatively, many musicians also use them as a percussion instrument, playing them with thimbles or mallots.
National Washboard Company
National Washboard Co
National Washboard Company
Important!
Antique Washer Wringer
Antique Washing Machine Wringer photo by Andrew Prickett
Wringer Washing Machine
Wringer Washing Machines for Sale on eBay
Wringer Washing Machines
Antique Washing Machine Gifts
Hand Washing Machine
Portable Hand Washing Machine
The Laundry POD
The Laundry POD, Green
Amazon Price: $95.00 (as of 06/03/2012)
Manual Washing Machine
Hand Washing Machine Plunger
Rapid Washer - DIY Manual Hand Washing Machine
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 06/03/2012)
Best Hand Clothes Wringer
Manual Clothes Wringer
Best Hand Clothes Wringer
Amazon Price: $169.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
Centrifugal Clothes Portable Spin Dryer
Alternative Clothes Dryer
Centrifugal Clothes Portable Spin Dryer
Amazon Price: $159.00 (as of 06/03/2012)
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Comments about these Vintage Washing Machines
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NORTHERN-PICKERS
Mar 26, 2012 @ 8:10 pm | delete
- I HAVE A PIECE FROM 1896 MANUAL WASHING MACHINE ALL WOOD
HELP I HAVE PICTURE
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Vintage-Antique-Collectibles
Mar 26, 2012 @ 11:50 pm | delete
- The Lee Maxwell Washing Machine Museum's website at http://www.oldewash.com/ has an entire database of washing machines.
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LiteraryMind
Feb 25, 2012 @ 1:10 pm | delete
- What a great lens. Nicely done and fun to look at.
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arperinos
Feb 21, 2012 @ 7:03 am | delete
- very original and interesting lens !
keep up the good work !
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rayray131
Feb 19, 2012 @ 1:38 pm | delete
- Great lens. Very interesting.
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kitty222
Feb 17, 2012 @ 10:42 pm | delete
- Wow...People collect everything, don't they? Cool. :)
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Antique Washing Machines for Sale on Craigslist Phoenix
Antique Washing Machines Craigslist
- Antique 1930's Chamberlain washing machine (deer valley) $200
- What you see here is an antique Chamberlain washing machine made in the 1930's. identified and appraised by Phoenix antique centre. The washer's agitator and motor are still intact. The enamel is in good shape inside and out, the only problem spot is on the rim of the lid. This is a rare antique please call Andrew 602-677-8237 $200 obo Location: deer valley it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Maytag Wringer Washing Machine $375
- E2Lmodel, 1950's. Still has original Maytag letters on the front. This is a must have for an addition to an antique collection, or for using as a washing machine. I remember using it with my Grandma! Good quality product from a brand you know you can trust! it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Nailheads- studs- choice of colors (Northeast valley) $25
- It's time to decorate and get creative on your shirts, vests, kids clothing , jackets, jeans, hats, flip flops, anything ....and once they are on ---they are on permanently to go in the washing machine and dryer !... This listing is for 1,000 Nailheads ...for $ 25 ....a mix of colors ...Silver, gold, copper, antique gold, red, blue, etc.... Have a BUNCH of different sizes and shapes in silver studs ...... email with questions and put the word "STUD" in the subject line Location: Northeast valley it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- 1930's chamberlain washing machine (deer valley) $300
- what you see is a 1930's chamberlain washer. appraised and identified by, "Phoenix Antique Centre". over all the washer is in good shape. The washer is complete; agitator, motor, ringer and lid. Unfortunately the enamel isn't perfect but its isn't bad. The only spot its missing is on the top outter edges in some spots. Besides that its great inside and out. Andrew 602-677-8237 Location: deer valley it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Antique Washing Machine
- Antique "Easy" brand washing machine copper tub- have extra ringer. For more onfo please call Barbara at 602-739-1797 it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
by Vintage-Antique-Collectibles
Old Antique Vintage Washing Machines come in all shapes and sizes. I love antiques, collectibles, and vintage items.
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1907 Ad 1900 Gravity Washer Antique Washing Machine Tub - Original Print Ad
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Amazon Price: $30.95 (as of 06/03/2012)
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