Glass washboards were popular during World War II due to a shortage of metal. The body was made of wood, but the scrubbing area was glass. Washboards were normally two-sided with one side having more refined ridges and also came in a variety of sizes. The smaller washboards were used for delicates such as undergarments and petticoats, while larger washboards were used for such items of clothing as shirts and pants. They were used over the laundry tubs. (ref. Antique Traders)This glass scrubbing board is an example of the typical laundry equipment used by families in the Orbost district in the early 20th century.A rectangular glass washboard with a wooden frame. The glass insert is corrugated glass and the backing at the top is original. Frame is new (original had borer damage).On backing at top - Possum trademarklaundry-equipment washing scrubbing-board

Grooved wooden washboards were used from the 18thC in England and Europe. Thick smooth, grooved glass did not rust, stain or wear down as the wooden variety and could be used for finer clothing. The washboard was place in the laundry trough or tub and using a clean brush collars, cuffs and corsets were scrubbed clean.This glass scrubbing board used by a Moorabbin Shire settler c 1900 is an example of the typical laundry equipment used in the area.A timber framed, scrubbing board with ridged clear glass.laundry equipment, washing, scrubbing board, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, washboards, clothing, craftwork

These types of wash troughs were commonly used in Australian households before the advent of electric washing machines, particularly in the late 19th to mid-20th century. Clothes would be soaked, scrubbed, and rinsed in the separate compartments, with excess water removed using the wringer. This example is indicative of early domestic laundry practices in rural communities, such as Natimuk, and would have likely been found in a backyard washhouse or laundry shed.This is a vintage triple-compartment wooden wash trough designed for manual laundry washing. The structure features three rectangular tubs joined side-by-side within a long wooden frame. A metal hand-cranked wringer (or mangle) is mounted over the central tub, supported by a sturdy wooden board extending across the top. The wringer consists of twin rubber rollers within a white-painted metal housing, showing signs of wear and age. The entire trough sits flat on the floor and is constructed with basic carpentry techniques, including butt joints and visible nails.farm equipment, water, washing, rinsing, plumbing, household