An electric washing machine with wringer attached is shown in this 1950s photograph. A model homemaker, with clean apron and high heels, is in attendance. By this time hot water was often available in the laundry or basement (where washing was sometimes done), but machines of this vintage sometimes had built-in water heaters, as well as pumps to empty them. A double wash tub, usually concrete, was standard equipment, and the washing machine would be positioned so that as clothes went through the wringer they would fall into one of the tubs.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Gordon H. Burt Collection (PA-Group-00743)
Reference: 1/2-036691-F
by Gordon Burt
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.