"Warshing" Clothes Recipe

Thanks to Jalisa Wenger in Pennsylvania for sending this interesting "recipe!" 

This makes me tired just thinking about doing laundry using this antiquated method!  No more grumbling for me about doing laundry! Never thought of a "washer" in this light before..what a blessing!

"Warshing Clothes Recipe" -- imagine having a recipe for this!

Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe: this is the exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

Warshing Clothes

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.. sort things, make 3 piles, l white, 1 colored, 1 work To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs.. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

Paste this note over your washer and dryer.  Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.  For you non-southerners - wrench means, rinse.  ;)  And we thought we have it rough!