Hey, active duty military: check out Columbus Washboard Factory [classic article]

As first seen in GI Money magazine

Logan, Ohio is the actual site for the Columbus Washboard Factory. Columbus used to be the epicenter for washboard production in the world, before the Chinese started making cheaper, inferior products. While many of us may remember grandmothers who used the study devices to scrub clothes clean, we may have forgotten their practicality in this washing machine era.

However, our troops serving overseas often do not have the luxury of using electric washing machines. Also, active duty troops’ clothes get too dirty to throw into a machine – don’t you remember your mom yelling at you not to put your muddy camp clothes into the washer? – but, they are just right for a well-constructed, American washboard. The washboards are made of quality hardwoods.

America has a friend in Brit native James Martin, who was so disgusted at seeing the proliferation of Chinese washboards and the lack of good old fashioned American ones on the market, he moved to Ohio and took the reins of the company, in business since 1895. GI Money was honored to have been able to personally visit the factory for this exclusive story of import to our troops.

The company has been supporting U.S. troops with washboards since 2004. Loved ones can purchase a kit to be sent at cost. If the loved ones don’t have the money to send a kit, Columbus Washboard Company maintains a fund to cover those costs, too. People donate HERE. Over 4,000 washboard kits have been sent to US active military deployed overseas. These kits are sold at cost of $25.00, including shipping, as part of an ongoing troop fund to enable deployed personnel the ability to do their laundry when no laundry facilities exist. The troop fund allows for customers who are unable to purchase the kit online or to donate to the fund, the ability have a kit delivered to their loved one. The troop kits contain one washboard #2033-F, one washtub, clothesline, clothespins, 3 bars of Ivory soap, and most importantly, instructions on how to use a washboard.

Active Military (with ID) can tour the company for FREE. Tour Times: Monday – Friday 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 Saturday 11:30 & 1:00 May – October only.