A Trip Back in the History of Laundry

I admit it, I have a weakness for antique stores.

For one thing, one never knows what one will find

in them.

It's like a treasure hunt each and every time.

For another thing, 

it is history, pure and simple.

I am torn between which of the two is the more compelling.

 At any rate, 

I recently came upon an item at my favorite

antique store in town that spoke to me.

It found a place of honor in the laundry room.

The only thing I did to this antique scrub board 

was to treat the wood with mineral oil.*

That brought out the words 

"Home Aide" on the front.

The words on the back of the board are:

"Ideal for silks, hosiery and lingerie

or handkerchiefs

"Just the right size to fit a bucket,

pail or lavatory

"Packs easily into suit case 

or traveling bag**

"Columbus Washboard Co., Columbus, Ohio"

**I wonder what TSA would think 

about finding a washboard in a carry-on bag.

"It's for washing my silks, hosiery and lingerie. Really."

"Sure, it is.  Step over here for a full body pat down."

* I waffled about doing anything at all to this 

washboard as it is an antique, but in the end,

I decided that the need for preserving the wood

and the clarity of the written words

was greater than the need for being "authentic".

Sometimes it's okay to touch-up a good antique.

Just make sure that you aren't harming the value by doing so.