Kōrero: Household management

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.