Story: Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene

Washing on wheels, 1947

Most women did their own washing, but in the 1940s some Marlborough women availed themselves of a mobile washing service offered by Mary Watson of Seddon. A keen motorcyclist since 1924 and the first female member of the Blenheim Motor Cycle Club, Watson carted a washing machine and wringer around in a large covered sidecar attached to a 5/6 Indian Scout motorcycle. As this film shows, she parked, offloaded the washing machine, did the washing and then took off to her next destination. 

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Weekly Review 317. National Film Unit, 1947

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How to cite this page:

Kerryn Pollock, 'Washing, cleaning and personal hygiene - Washing clothes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/40784/washing-on-wheels-1947 (accessed 6 May 2024)

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 5 Sep 2013