The Washing Machine

A washing machine washes clothes so people do not have to scrub them by hand. You put dirty clothes in, add soap, and press a button. The machine fills with water, spins the clothes around, and rinses them. Washing machines save a lot of time and hard work.

How It Works

Inside a washing machine is a big drum with small holes. The drum spins and tumbles the clothes in soapy water. The soap pulls dirt off the clothes, and the water carries it away. Then the machine spins really fast to squeeze out most of the water.

A Helper at Home

Long ago, washing clothes meant carrying water, heating it, and scrubbing on a washboard. It was slow and hard work. The first hand-cranked washing machines were made in the 1800s. Electric washing machines came next and changed home life for millions of people.

Fun Facts

• Before washing machines, wash day often took a whole day or more.
• Some modern washing machines can talk to your phone.
• A dryer spins clothes with warm air to dry them after washing.

Did You Know?

Some people say the washing machine was one of the inventions that gave women more free time in the 1900s.