Women washing and wringing out clothes, Whitechapel

This photograph shows women washing and wringing out clothes in the backyard of a house in Whitechapel. Until the 1950s nearly one in three London households shared a water supply and toilet facilities with other families. Laundry was washed by hand in tin baths and then placed in a hand mangle for the removal of excess water. Women who shared water facilities often did their 'weekly wash' together, the task taking most of the day. Water taps were usually located outside so washing was often done in backyards and, as in this case, a covered outhouse.