Laundry Washboards or Rubbing Boards

The antique Victorian era corrugated boards upon which clothes are rubbed to remove the dirt are of three varieties:
Glass-covered; Zinc or brass-covered; All wood.

The cheapest and least desirable boards are all wood. The wood is apt to splinter and become rough from the friction of use.

The zinc-covered ones are very satisfactory for ordinary hard use. Zinc does not rust. These are made with both single and double rubbing surfaces.

The glass-covered boards are very satisfactory as they cannot rust nor develop sharp edges to tear the clothes, although they have the disadvantage of being easily broken. They must be protected from sudden changes of temperature.

In all the boards the corrugations should be rounded rather than angular, as sharp edges wear the clothes. On the better boards the top projects enough to protect the clothing of the user from the splashing of the water.

The woods used for the backs and frames of the best boards are cottonwood, basswood, and spruce.

Boards come in several sizes.