Washday in the 19th Century

The water was heated using a copper, if available. Otherwise a large pan of water was heated on an open fire. After rubbing individual stains with soap, using a wash board, a dolly peg rotated and beat the dirty clothes; or a posser, working by suction, agitated the linen till all the dirt was removed.

Copper....Cast iron container set in brickwork, with a fire underneath to heat the water for washing.

Dolly peg.......A 4-6 legged stool with a long handle.

Posser.......A cone shaped copper device with holes in.

Washboard.......A rigid wooden, glass or metal board on which washing was rubbed to remove dirt and stains.

Wash tub......A large vessel for washing clothes. They could be rectangular wooden troughs, or barrel shaped, and made of wood or galvanised metal.