Story: Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene

Washing drying on the line, Dunedin, 1876

Washing drying on the line, Dunedin, 1876

When Monday was washday, properties around New Zealand were festooned once a week with white sheets and other household items. Washing lines were simple affairs, comprising stout rope and wooden poles to hoist up the line. This is the home of the McIntyre family of Lees Street, Dunedin, around 1876. At that time women often did the washing in the Lees Street stream, which turned white with soapsuds on a Monday. 

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Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
Reference: CS/13593

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene - Washing clothes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/40782/washing-drying-on-the-line-dunedin-1876 (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 Sep 2013