23
A Bit of Appalachian Boiling Did the Trick!
I have been doing a lot of extra hand washing of laundry the last few days to make up for the weeks of rain we have just been through. Today I finished up by scrubbing and scrubbing an old, off white cotton polo shirt. I was getting pretty tired as using a washboard can be pretty rigorous exercise sometimes and my elbow was aching (washboard elbow anyone?) from all I had already done. That darn shirt was just not coming as clean as I wanted it to. Then I remembered something I had read in one of the Foxfire books. A family in one of the narratives mentioned washing their laundry in the creek and then boiling it for fifteen minutes before hanging it to dry. I figured that those Appalachian folks had gone to all of that extra trouble for a good reason as boiling laundry is certainly not easy in an already taxing life. It must have done something great for their laundry!
So I decided to give it a try. I boiled that shirt for fifteen minutes on top of the stove and it worked! The shirt looked much cleaner and whiter afterwords. I was delighted and happily hung this very clean shirt to dry in the sun.
I just thought I would pass on this little Appalachian-gleaned tip. It is so fun trying these simple measures for myself and discovering through personal experience that they really work. Perhaps you would like to try this one too.
From the beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia,
Leslie
If you would like to support the Pockets of the Future Project, prayers, encouragement and donations are always welcome.
I wonder if this trick would work to remove olive oil or butter stains from clothes? I’d like to learn how to get all the oil spots off our clothes, especially the ones that collect right on my large pregnant belly area of my shirts that I don’t notice until I look in the mirror! If you know any oil removing tricks I’m all ears.
I have really enjoyed your blog, The video blog especially. Your website has recently had an impact on me and I am sure on many others as well. I have always wanted to homestead, always thought I did not have the land or any way to get the land. Anyway, I have recently started taking small steps to a more sustainable life. I am at the very beginning of this path, you guys are years ahead of me. But, we have to start somewhere. I feel much better about myself and my life, just the decision to make this a reality is calming and healing. I just wanted to let you guys know I have written a small blog entry on your website, I hope you do not mind. And again I would like to thank you for the changes I have started in part due to your website.
Hello. I have just recently been doing all our families laundry by hand. This morning I became so discouraged with it then I found your website and got re-inspired. I just want to say thank you for your blog especially since I have been unable to discover much at all that was in any way helpful.
We to have a family of eight and the laundry has always been an overwhelming chore. I have prayed about the situation for years. Bit by bit I came to hand washing our clothes. I have been doing a load or two every day in our bath tub and hanging it all on hangers on the shower curtain rod. I have a wasboard just like yours and a plunger but no wringer yet. I find the bathroom cramped and difficult to work in and the kids can’t be in there with me. I was about to give up then I read your blog and find myself brainstorming other options for a laundry space. I have a bunch of questions regarding the practical side of things. Cold water verses warm water, detergents (have you ever tried soapnuts?), is there something you can do besides a breeze to have clothes come out soft? I have noticed some clothes come out more clean than through the washing machine, but some things I can’t seem to get clean no matter what.Is there a way to get whites whiter because they seem to come out more grey.
I agree that doing laundry by hand does make you more aware. I can see how much having a few aprons would save me. Also no more walking around in socks but to wear shoes or slippers. I have also learned the value of spot cleaning so you don’t have to wash a whole garment. I can better understand a lot fewer clothes all together. The idea of Sunday best and a couple of work outfits makes more sense to me. I am looking forward to my family becoming more conscience about these things as well. I’ve been thinking that I might have each of my kiddos do their own laundry. Up until now it has been somewhat a team effort.
Again thank you for your blog and if you have anymore practical how to advice I would love to hear it.
Melissa
Add A Comment