Washing machine

A washing machine is a labour-saving device for the laundering of clothes.

Early washing machines still had a strongly manual element: the laundress (domestic work was almost always handled by females) had to sort and load the clothes, treat stains by hand-rubbing, often with a caustic agent, fill the tub with water, turn a handle to agitate the clothes, then again to operate rollers that would press excess water from the garments.

Modern washing machines are electric appliances in the category known as white goods. They are highly automated, and no physical labour is required.