My washing is dirtier than when it went in??

MIL used to use a glass rubbing board for all her whites. She was taught how to use it in domestic science lessons at school in the 20's. Any whites came up beautifully and the grandchildren used to bring her their sports socks to wash. I don't think they lasted as long as if they went in a machine though as she was very vigorous with them!

Hi Funnygran your post stirred a memory. When I was a child the old lady next door used to take in washing. She had a big copper she lit a fire under, a huge mangle, a small zinc baby bath for the bluebag and THREE rubbing boards. One was wooden, very soft and splintery, one was metal in a wooden frame, and her "best" board was glass. I still can't get my head around anyone having a BEST rubbing board!

Does anyone know if baking soda is either bicarbonate of soda, or, baking powder ? I am confused! And is it possible to still buy Lux soap flakes ? Thank you in advance.

lujaha: baking soda is bicarbonate of soda, and it's useful for so many things, including washing hair (one teaspoon to a cup of warm water) - a tip I got from Gransnet!

Hollycat MIL wouldn't entertain anything other than a glass one! The wood disintegrated a few years ago and DH managed to make a new frame which delighted her. It is still in her kitchen and given half a chance she would use it. However at 92 and very unsteady on her feet, her daughters insist on taking her washing home with them. This is referred to as a 'dirty wash' in one of those new fangled automatic things. Apparently if you don't work up a sweat the washing won't be clean!

Teddy 123 my grandson lives with me ? and I wash his kit 3 times each week. This has never happened to my washing before and now I feel ashamed about his grey kit. I'll be off to rugby with a paper bag on my head...with 2 holes cut out so that I can watch the game.?

I don't have any Rugby Sock experience Solitaire but have plenty filthy Football Sock knowledge !

Depending on how many I have got to do (and thankfully i am still dealing with 6,7,8 year olds) I put a sock on each hand and rub hard with biological soap powder or liquid (or if they are particularly bad I use vanish). Its pointless putting them straight in the wash like that as the dirt will just set and it will never come out. The other thing I do is to lay the foot of the sock out on an old chopping board and scrub with an old nail brush. My cleaning kit is overflowing!

My poor hands. Thank god for Atrixo !

My lazy lovely DDiL sends the scruffy and tricky stuff for me to wash. She would hate for me to be bored.

Hi Gillybob, I think I've washed the kit in too high a temperature this time. Now I have 3 seperate kits to wash several times a week as he's now playing club, school and County rugby. All with WHITE ? I need one of those old washboards....I expect the skiffle groups (remember them?) have done with them now...eBay here I come.

Why do they make football and rugby kits white? My grandson plays in green and white hoops, plain white shorts and white socks with a green band . Grrrrrrr

One of those old washboards would be ideal Solitaire but you are right they are hard to come by. I am after an old mangle and I can't get one for love nor money .