Historical information

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.

Significance

This glass scrubbing board used by a Moorabbin Shire settler c 1900 is an example of the typical laundry equipment used in the area.

Physical description

A timber framed, scrubbing board with ridged clear glass.