Vintage “Pearl” Canadian Woodenware Glass Washboards
Set of Two | Canadian Laundry & Household History
What a wonderful pair of pieces from a time when doing the laundry looked very different than it does today!
These two vintage “Pearl” washboards were manufactured by the Canadian Woodenware Co. and feature traditional solid wood frames surrounding beautifully textured corrugated glass washing surfaces.
Before automatic washing machines became commonplace, washboards like these were an essential part of everyday household life. Clothing and linens were scrubbed by hand against the ribbed glass surface—a simple design that did an enormous amount of work in Canadian homes.
The smaller washboard retains particularly lovely original branding, including the PEARL name and “Manufactured by Canadian Woodenware Co.” marking. The natural aging, wear and patina of the wood give both pieces the character that can only come from decades of use and history.
Today, these washboards have become wonderful pieces of Canadian primitive and farmhouse décor. They would look beautiful displayed together in a laundry room, kitchen, country home, cottage, textile studio or alongside a collection of vintage household and sewing treasures.
And washboards have another interesting life—they have long been used as rhythm and percussion instruments in traditional folk music.
We are offering these as a set of two, one smaller and one larger, which makes them particularly attractive displayed together.
A charming little piece of Canadian domestic history—and a reminder of just how much work laundry day once involved! ❤️