The bathroom, the most hated room in the home when it comes to cleaning. Even though it was not the most discussed aspect of cleaning for the early 20th century housekeeper. Here a few tidbits on the steps of cleaning the bathroom. While much of the methods can still be used today the chemicals surely should not!
note: The ‘closet’ during this time period is what we know today as the toilet. And the ‘basin’ the sink.
First, in cleaning, dust and take from the bathroom all movable things. These will be a bag or box for tissue
paper, toilet paper, soap dish, bar for towels and wash cloths, etc. Besides these things there must be in every
bathroom a brush for cleaning the water closet and a cloth for cleaning the chamber.
Now that all movable things have been taken from the bathroom, brush the floor with a covered broom, wash
the water-closet, using the closet brush with hot soda water and a good cleaning cloth. Do not use a linty cloth in the closet or tub.
Close the closet, after putting down chloride of lime, and with covered broom brush the walls. Wipe the floor
again and wash all the woodwork around the tub and closet ; give the floor a thorough scrubbing after washing the tub.
Wash out bathtub (not with sand soaps of any kind, since they scratch, but with soap and water). A tin tub
may be brightened with Dutch Cleanser or Sapolio, and a porcelain tub may have yellow stains removed with
turpentine. Kerosene is especially good for removing stains from porcelain tubs; use it before washing tub
~Housekeeping Notes
THE BATHROOM
Apparatus:
- Closet brush
- scrub cloth
- dry flannelette duster,
- and string mop.
Procedure:
1. Clean the bathtub. Let in a little very hot water, rub soap on the scrub cloth, and wash all scum deposits from the tub. Rinse out the tub and wash the taps. See that the outside is clean, and wipe everything dry with the duster.
2. Clean the closet. Raise the cover and the wooden seat. Wash the bowl thoroughly with the closet brush. If necessary scrub above the water line with soap, and see that the outside is clean. Flush the bowl. Wash the seat inside and out, also the inside of the cover. If necessary, wash the marble floor-slab. Wipe everything dry with the duster.
3. Dust the floor with the string mop. Take pains to get the dust out of the corners and from under the tub. Dust the chair and the woodwork.
4. Wash the closet brush with soap in the washbasin, rinse, shake thoroughly, and hang up. (This brush is usually kept in an inconspicuous corner of the bathroom.)
5. Wash and wipe the basin taps. Wipe off all pipes below the basin with the duster. If necessary, scrub the basin.
6. Wash and rinse the scrub cloth and the duster in the basin and wring as dry as possible. Rinse out the basin and wipe with the duster.
7 . Hang up the cloths to dry.
8. If tubs and other appliances have been neglected and are very dirty,it may be necessary to scrub them with kerosene.
~Rules for Cleaning
