Washboard (laundry)

With mechanized cleaning of clothing becoming more common by the end of the 20th century, the washboard has become better known for its secondary use as a musical instrument.

The traditional washboard is usually constructed with a rectangular wooden frame in which are mounted a series of ridges or corrugations for the clothing to be rubbed upon.

A "fluted" metal washboard was patented in the United States by Stephen Rust in 1833.

The rubbing has a similar effect to beating the clothes and household linen on rocks, an ancient method, but is less abrasive.

[4] Some writers claimed that using a washboard was superior to using older laundry machines, because they save water and heating costs, and are not so hard on the clothing.