Wash Day 1916
(An Old Kentucky Grandmother’s Advice to a New Bride)

Bilt fire in backyard to heet kettle of rain water.

Set tubs so smoke won't blow in eyes if wind is pert.

Shave one hold cake lie soap in bilin water.

Sort things, make three piles, 1 pile white, 1 pile cullered, 1 pile work
britches and rags.

Stir flour in cold water to smooth, then thin down with bilin water.

Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then bile. Rub cullered don't bile,
just rinch in starch.

Take white things out of the kettle with broomstick handle then rinch,
and starch.

Hang old rags on fince.

Spread tee towels on grass.

Pore rinch water in flower bed.

Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on house dress, smooth hair with side combs. Brew cup of tee,
sit and rest and rock a spell and count your blessings.