First I got myself a bucketful of rain water (which has been collecting in my tin bath outside) and put it on my cooker to heat up. This took a looooooooooongggg time! Eventually I realised it would be quicker with a cover, so I used the lid of the bread bin.
I used my late mother-in-law's oven glove to lift the lid to add grated soap (Fairy household bar soap).
After boiling for a while I used a pair of wooden tongs to get the tea towel out - just like I remember my Mum and Nan using.
Squeezing out the excess water.
Rinsing the soap out in a sinkful of cool water. I like the reflection from the window in this picture.
Look at the condensation on the window! The kitchen was full of the distinctive smell of a boil wash, bringing back memories of being off primary school, unwell, watching Mum use the twin tub to wash and hearing Jimmy Young on the radio - "What's the recipe today, Jim?"
After wringing out the water (by hand, since these were small things) I hung them on the line - using wooden dolly pegs of course!
Do you like my 1940s wrapover apron?
Thoroughly enjoyed myself today - but I wouldn't want to do that all the time!
