Yes, gold miners in California during the Gold Rush era did wash their clothes. However, the methods and frequency of washing varied depending on the circumstances and resources available to the miners.
In the early days of the Gold Rush, when miners were living in temporary camps or makeshift settlements, washing clothes was often a simple and basic process. Miners would typically use a nearby water source such as a river, stream, or creek to wash their clothes. They would scrub the garments against rocks or use washboards to remove dirt and grime. The clothes would then be rinsed and hung up to dry.
As mining camps became more established and towns developed, more sophisticated laundry facilities and services emerged. Some larger mining towns had public laundries where miners could pay to have their clothes washed. These laundries would use more advanced methods such as washing machines or even steam-powered equipment.
However, it's important to note that not all miners had access to such facilities or could afford to pay for laundry services. Many miners continued to wash their clothes by hand in a similar manner to the early days of the Gold Rush. It was a labor-intensive task, but necessary to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, especially given the challenging and often dirty conditions in which the miners worked.
Overall, while the specific methods and frequency of washing clothes varied among gold miners in California, it was a regular practice to ensure personal cleanliness and maintain a semblance of comfort in their daily lives.