The washing machine is arguably one of the most crucial appliances in the modern home. Without them, we’d have a tough time keeping all of our fabrics clean, and we’d waste ounces and ounces of water and energy just trying to clean a single T-shirt! And considering just how often we do our laundry, it’s tough to imagine what our daily lives would be like if we didn’t have washing machines.
But of course, before the invention of the washing machine, our forebears had to find different ways to handle laundry. In fact, doing the laundry was once such an involved task that it often took entire days to get the job done!
But how exactly did our ancestors handle the laundry before the washing machine? And how did the earliest washing machines evolve into the appliances we depend on now? Join the Reliant tech experts below as we take a trip into the past to find out the surprisingly interesting history of the washing machine!
Laundry Before The Washing Machine
Even now, the prospect of doing the laundry is hardly an exciting or attractive one. But, while it might seem like a laborious task now, it’s worth remembering just how time-consuming it was in the time before washing machines were invented.
Rivers, Lakes And … Sand?
Before any mechanical means for clothes washing were ever invented, we had to roll up our sleeves and get the job done with our hands! Most ancient cultures made use of local bodies of water, like rivers and lakes, to clean clothes. Rivers were often particularly effective, as the constant flowing ensured there was always a supply of fresh water. Flowing water was also most effective at carrying the dirt off of clothes.
When washing clothes in a river, it’s common to beat the fabric against nearby stones. This agitates the fabrics, which loosens dirt and stains, for a more effective wash. Agitation is still used to this day in washing machines!
People also made use of nearby rocks to beat, twist, and rub their laundry against. This created agitation that loosened dirt from fabrics. Many also brought along their own washing implements, like bats and clubs, to beat the dirt out of their laundry!
Some cultures had to be a little more resourceful when it came to washing. Many cultures often used sand to clean their clothes. Especially if access to water was often scarce. Sand is actually still used in many cultures to this day! Sand is naturally very fine, but still has a coarse texture. This coarse texture is fantastic for quite literally rubbing the dirt out of fabrics!
Washhouses
Within Europe, some small towns created their own washhouses, intended primarily for cleaning up laundry from across the neighbourhood! These were often connected to a local water supply, such as a river so that there could always be a supply of fresh water.
Oftentimes, washhouses had two distinct zones. One zone was intended for washing, while the other was intended for rinsing. While definitely not as speedy as a modern washing machine, washhouses were very convenient. It often took less time to wash clothes in one than to wash clothes in a river or lake!
Washhouses, similar to rivers, were also very social spaces. Because everyone in the area needed to use the water to wash their clothes, conversation often flowed very freely. This helped to make the hours-long task of washing feel much less laborious!
Washhouses introduced a social element to laundry washing. The task of laundry was often carried out by women, so washhouses quickly became a social space where women could talk amongst themselves while scrubbing away the hours!
Washhouses also had stone lips, which could be used to beat the fabrics during the washing process. Beating the fabrics was particularly effective because the agitation loosened any dirt and grime that clung to the fibres. Agitation is still an important part of the washing process today! Washing machine drums are now designed to agitate clothes during a cycle, to quite literally beat the dirt out of your laundry!
Because laundry was such a time-consuming task, many people made it their trade. Washers and laundrywomen all worked day in and day out to wash laundry in rivers or at washhouses. They would also often take on the laundry of other locals, for a small charge!
The First Washing Machines
It’s generally quite difficult to point to the exact origin of the washing machine. People have always sought ways to make the chore aof laundry a little easier. As such, many different early mechanisms were created, to help make the task easier. Some were successful, and some were most definitely not!
Fulling Mills
In the 1600s, fulling mills were commonly used to make laundry easier to do. Though they may not resemble washing machines as we know them today, fulling mills can largely be pointed to as one of the earliest examples of washing through mechanical means! Fulling mills essentially made use of large mallets that beat away dirt from laundry that was piled into them.
Hand-Cranked Machines
For many years laundry was done by rubbing clothes against a washboard partly submerged in water. These washboards had corrugated surfaces, again intended to agitate the fibres in clothes. Rubbing clothes against these washboards was very effective, but proved to be incredibly tiring. Many laundrywomen found their arms aching after only washing a few pieces of laundry. As such, some of the earliest washing machines automated the rubbing process.
Hand-cranked washing machines allowed users to clean more pieces of laundry at one time. This helped to massively save on time. However, hand-cranked machines were still tiresome to use, often leaving users with aching arms for days afterwards!
These machines often had large drums, which were filled with the laundry at hand, warm water, and whatever detergents were available. It was then up to the user to operate the machine by hand. Some of these machines had drums and basins with corrugated sides. Using a stick, the user would rub the laundry against the sides of the machine. Though it was still laborious, it allowed for more pieces of laundry to be washed at the same time.
Early Rotating Washing Machines
Of course, when we think about washing machines nowadays, we naturally picture the iconic rotating drum. Rotation is incredibly effective in the washing process, because it keeps the laundry moving. This in turn ensures the laundry is completely drenched in the water, and that the fibres are agitated.
It would take until around the 1800s for washing machines to take on a form we might recognise today. Though historians are still unclear on which design was first, a number of inventors, such as James King and Hamilton Smith created hand-cranked rotating washing machines that tumbled clothes around within a large drum.
All the user needed to do was fill the drum with clothes, water, and detergent, and crank the handle to make the drum spin. Again, it took up a lot of energy, but it allowed for entire laundry loads to be done in no time!
Following on from the invention of rotating washing machines, innovators sought to automate the rotation process. This led to the development of “Powered” washing machines that required no manual labour. No more cranking levers or scrubbing clothes by hand. However, it would still be some time before the washing process was fully automated.
Metal Drums
Early rotating washing machines made use of wooden drums to get the job done. With time, however, these would then be replaced with metal drums. Metal drums were not only much sturdier, but they also allowed for a more effective clean.
Metal drums were often suspended above firepits, to generate heat within. Hot water is naturally much more effective at cleaning clothes, as it makes the fibres more flexible and easier to agitate.
The invention of rotating washing machines was something of a milestone moment. Though they still needed to be spun by hand, they proved the potential for automated washing! This led to the development of washing machines as we know them.
Metal drums made washing much easier, but they still involved a lot of hand-cranking. They were also generally quite large and very expensive to construct. So, not many people had access to such devices. It would still be some time before washing machines would enter homes across the world!
Electric Washing Machines
It really cannot be understated just how important the introduction of electricity was for laundry. Until the invention of electric washing machines, laundry was either washed by hand or washed in steam-powered washing machines. Washing by hand proved incredibly time-consuming and counted as a full day’s work. Steam-powered washing machines, while effective, were bulky and expensive, so they were inaccessible to most people!
With time rotating washing machines were refined, and began to look closer and closer to what we recognise today. However, with the introduction of the first electric washing machines into the market, everything changed.
Though we can’t say for certain which electric washing machine models were first, we do know that they began to show up around the 1910s to 1920s. One early electric washing machine, produced by the Automatic Electric Washer Company proved to be an immediate success. Within just a few years, these early washing machines could be found in homes across the world.
Electric washing machines made laundry a much less laborious task. No longer did users have to hand-crank them just to create motion. They could simply load the unit and let it get on with the job!
It’s important to note that the earliest electric washing machines only ever automated the spinning process. Everything else still needed to be controlled manually. This meant that the user still had to fill the unit with water and detergent. They also had to choose when to end a cycle, as there were no pre-programmed cycles to choose from, and no built-in timers!
Fully Automated Washing Machines
Electric washing machines were improved and implemented for a number of years. Every new model brought innovations that helped to make them more efficient and effective. This also meant that sales of electric washing machines boomed, especially during the 1920s. In fact sales were so good that nearly 1 million washing machines could be found in homes across the United States alone!
However, the Great Depression naturally had an impact on washing machine sales, with numbers slowly declining year on year. It would take another few years for sales to pick up again. With the introduction of automatic washing machines in 1937, sales would once again see another rise.
The first automatic washing machines, produced by Bendix Home Appliances, were connected directly to the user’s water supply. This meant that the unit could fill itself up with water with every cycle. Again, this helped to massively streamline the washing process, as users didn’t have to grab water themselves to fill up the drum.
Pre-Programmed Cycles
After World War II, production began again on automated washing machines, after being halted to focus on manufacturing weapons for the war. Hoover, in particular, recognised the potential of automated washing machines and created what could be the first washing machine with optional wash cycles.
Pre-programmed cycles are now a staple of modern washing machines, but they actually date back quite far! Early Hoover washing machines allowed users to choose from a range of cycles using removable cartridges!
The Hoover washing machine made use of cartridges, loaded with each of the different washing cycles. All the user needed to do was insert the cartridge into the unit, and the machine would read it.
This allowed users to more carefully consider the perfect conditions for their laundry. And of course, modern washing machines now come with a number of wash cycles pre-programmed!
Washing Machines With Timers
Of course, while washing machines largely automated the washing process, the user still needed to occasionally get involved. Most importantly, the user needed to choose when the cycle ended. This is because early washing machines did not have timers built into them.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that timers were eventually added to washing machines. Timers are incredibly convenient because they ensure a cycle never goes on for too long. Modern washing machines also now come with delay timers, so you can choose the perfect time for your cycle to start and finish!
Washing Machines In Modern Kitchens
Ditching The Gearbox
As washing machines became more popular and were continually improved, they also became much cheaper to manufacture. Modern washing machines no longer need complex gearboxes to facilitate the spinning motion. Now, washing machine motors are controlled entirely electronically. This means that they are not only much less likely to break down, but they can more accurately maintain certain spin speeds.
Vibration Dampening Technologies
Washing machines naturally generate a lot of motion during a spin cycle. A lot of the energy from the spinning motion is then sent out of the unit, causing the entire machine to vibrate. If not carefully controlled, this motion can lead to the washing machine “walking”. This involves the washing machine vibrating at such a frequency that it moves from one spot on the floor to another during a cycle as if it were quite literally walking! This vibration also generates a lot of noise, potentially disrupting harmony in the home!
Vibration Dampening technologies helped to make washing machines much quieter, and more suitable for smaller homes. They also helped to keep washing machines from “Walking” while in operation. In turn, this helped to keep them much safer.
Early washing machines were incredibly prone to walking, so manufacturers sought to find ways to dampen vibrations. This not only made washing machines safer, but much quieter too.
Many washing machines now have counterweight systems that account for motion caused by the spin of the drum. For instance, some models have concrete blocks built into the bases. Others make use of weighted balls that move according to the vibrations created by the drum.
Washer Dryers
It would be strange to talk about the evolutionary history of the washing machine without touching upon washer dryers. These handy combo appliances totally revolutionised homes upon their introduction around the 1950s. No longer did homes have to situate two separate appliances just to wash and dry laundry. With just one unit, users could perform both tasks in one go.
Brushless Motors
The introduction of brushless motors was also a watershed moment in washing machine history. Older washing machines, particularly those that used belt-and-pulley systems actually had brushes within the motor. These essentially acted as padding between the moving and non-moving parts of the washing machine motor.
Brushless motors, as their name suggests, don’t have brushes inside. This actually helps to make them much quieter, because there’s less friction. Nowadays, washing machines are able to operate much more quietly than older models!
Brushless motors, or “Direct Drive” motors, operate without a belt or pulley system. Instead, they directly spin the central drum. Modern washing machines with these motors subsequently have fewer parts, and are much quieter!
Brushless motors are most often found in “Inverter” washing machines. These special motors are able to more accurately control their spin speeds. This means there’s no need for the brush to dampen the vibrations generated during the spin. It also means that inverter motors have fewer moving parts. So they’re not only less prone to failure, but they’re also cheaper to manufacture.
Brushless motors are often referred to as “Direct Drive” motors. This is because they directly spin the drum, without the need for a belt or pulley system. Direct Drive technology also allows inverter washing machines to be much more energy efficient!
Dispenser Drawers
The driving force behind washing machine innovation is automation and convenience. Early hand-cranked washing machines soon gave way to electric washing machines. And those early electric washing machines soon gave way to plumbed-in washing machines that filled themselves with water.
One way modern washing machines have further automated the washing process is through the introduction of dispenser drawers. All the user needs to do is fill the drawer with the necessary detergents before the cycle starts. The washing machine then empties the drawer into the drum at different points in the cycle.
The introduction of dispenser drawers helped to eliminate a lot of guesswork when it came to loading the unit. Subsequently, it has also helped countless washing machine owners to save money on detergents!
Foam Creation
Many high-end washing machines can now generate foam by mixing the detergents with the water before releasing it into the water. For instance, Samsung washing machines with Ecobubble technology create this foam right at the start of the cycle.
Foam is able to deliver a more effective and efficient wash because it can directly lift the dirt from fabrics. Foam is even effective at low temperatures. So users can fully wash their laundry while also saving money on energy bills!
Smart Functions
Smart appliances have totally changed the way we live our lives. Many high-end washing machines are now loaded with smart functions that make them much easier to use.
For instance, some smart washing machines come with digital interfaces built into them. These make it much easier to navigate through all of the control options. So users can more confidently choose the correct cycle.
Smart washing machines are now found in kitchens across the world. These internet-connected appliances can be controlled remotely via apps, and even carefully control water and electricity usage. Far more efficient than washing machines used to be!
Smart washing machines can also connect directly to the internet, for greater control. Connecting via the internet even allows users to download new washing cycles directly to the machine, so there’s always a perfect cycle for everything they need to wash!
Many internet-enabled washing machines can be controlled via a connected smartphone. LG washing machines, for instance, can connect to the ThinQ AI network. From here, users can then control the appliance entirely remotely on just their phones! The ThinQ AI network lets users monitor a cycle in progress, pause the unit, and even troubleshoot errors as they happen!
Smart sensors are often employed in modern washing machines to help make them more efficient. These smart sensors allow the unit to detect how much laundry there is in the drum, and even how dirty it is. It can then use this information to decide exactly how much water and energy to use. This means there’s less waste, so users can really rein in their spending!
What Will Washing Machines Be Like In The Future?
With smart washing machines now largely the standard across the world, you might wonder if the appliances have room to evolve any further. Have they reached their technical apex? What could the future possibly hold in store for our laundry woes? Let’s take a quick glimpse into the future!
AI Laundry
AI has already been implemented in a few ways throughout the world of technology. It’s likely that it will also have a direct impact on our washing machines too! AI could be leveraged in washing machines to deliver more efficient and effective washing.
AI programs could be trained to learn from users in a number of ways. For instance, AI could learn about a user’s preferences, and determine their favourite cycle types. It could even learn the kind of laundry that the user tends to wash. Using this information, the washing machine could then recommend new cycle types, or put favourite ones front and centre, so that they’re easier to access.
Greater Durability
Washing machines are now less expensive to manufacture, and thanks to developments such as brushless motors, they’re also much more durable. Washing machines have often been prone to failure, necessitating some fairly expensive repair costs or replacements! Now, brushless motors have helped to cut down on the number of necessary parts in the average washing machine, so they’re less prone to unexpected failure!
Washing machines are set to be more durable than ever, thanks to greater build quality. This will be greater for the planet, as we will not have to replace our appliances quite so often!
Samsung washing machines, for instance, now make use of digital inverter motors that are more durable. It’s likely that other manufacturers will follow suit, offering washing machines that are truly built to last.
Greater Efficiency
Washing machines use much less electricity and water than they once did. So they can help users save much more money on average on their energy and water bills. It’s likely that, as we move into the future, washing machines will only get more efficient.
Improved parts and improved overall quality will help washing machines to do their jobs more effectively, so they can conserve water and electricity. And with a greater range of cycle types to choose from, users will have more choice over how much they consume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Have Washing Machines Changed Over Time?
Washing machines have changed massively since they were first invented. The earliest iterations of washing machines needed to be cranked entirely by hand, and were incredibly laborious to use. Now, washing machines are fully electronic. Early washing machines also required users to manually fill them with water. Now, they are plumbed right in!
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