Because ancient civilizations tended to develop around bodies of water, clothes were often washed in rivers. This tactic is still used by some communities in different parts of the world today, where people take their items to the river and scrub them diligently over rocks before laying them out in the sun to dry.
When homespun fabrics began to be replaced with cheaper, more massively produced garments, an efficient method of keeping things hygienic was needed. This new demand can also be recognized in a new laundry industry created by the Romans, where so-called Roman fullers washed, dried and even dyed the clothes of the Empire’s citizens.
In the Middle Ages, with populations booming and cities growing, going to the river stopped being a possibility for many. This is when tubs for washing and processing clothes began to be used. Because it was an arduous task that could take a very long time, it was often handled by servants.
The Industrial Revolution gave us the washboard, which is still used today. A wooden frame with metal sheets, it’s a portable, efficient way to keep things clean. Today’s technology allows us to do our laundry quickly and effortlessly, almost making us forget how much the process differs from its beginnings. From the invention of the electric washing machine in 1908 to today, many advances have been made in electrodomestics and other products that make looking after our garments and clothing easier than ever.