omni
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Adventures with a wringer washer.
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Jul 14 19:58 UTC 2011 |
It has lived in the basement for years. I never thought that I
would actually be using it, and more than that, liking it. But I do.
The thing is a Speed Queen wringer type washer, circa 1950. I used
to hate it, but now that were on the same page, we get along.
The automatic washer that was in the basement stopped working. She
had the wringer machine and I asked her if it worked. It did. I got out
the oil and oiled the wringer, plugged it in, and let the oil do it's
job. There are no hoses to fill it. You have to stretch a hose from the
sink to the machine. So I filled it, added some Tide, and the clothes
and everything was peachy. That is, until it came time to drain it. No
drain switch. No nothing. A hose on the side of the machine, nothing
else. I foolishly put the hose over the sink then I searched for that
magic switch that would let it drain. There was none.
It seems that the hose lays down on the floor, and preferably into
a drain. Why didn't I think of that? Perhaps I was expecting too much. I
then set to wringing the clothes through the now non squeaking wringer.
I almost caught a finger in it, but I managed to get that first load
done.
I have a routine now. Wash, wring all the clothes, return clothes
to tub, rinse for 5 mins, wring twice, hang on the line. It works well,
and the clothes come out clean.
I have also discovered a few things. Wringer washers let you
decide how long you want to wash. It can be 5 minutes or 30 minutes
depending on your mood and the dirtyness of your laundry. Double
wringing is as good as any spin cycle and it's kind of fun too. I like
the old girl, and I hope that it lasts for a few more years. It is true,
that old does not have to mean useless.
Comments?
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