“I have no idea what these are, but I found them at my grandma’s house.”
Historically, wooden clothespins have been used since the 19th century, when drying clothes by hanging them out was a labor-intensive process. Because of their low cost and ease of availability, wooden clothespins quickly replaced their more expensive metal, horn, or bone counterparts. The meticulous handiwork of skilled artisans was on display in the early iterations, which were carved by hand.
There are a plethora of additional uses for wooden clothespins besides hanging clothes. You can use them to hold photos, do crafts, or use them as clips for chip bags. Because of how versatile they are, you can find them in art studios, workshops, and even homes. Plus, they’re more eco-friendly than single-use plastic clips because they endure a long time and don’t break easily.
The antique wooden clothespin harkens back to a less complicated time in contrast to our modern, technologically advanced society. They take me back to my childhood, when doing the laundry outside on a bright day was a typical activity that brought my family closer. Using wooden clothespins brings us back to our heritage and honors the creativity and resourcefulness of bygone eras.
It is possible to buy vintage wooden clothespins.
