Vintage Housekeeping
Wednesday
We know that Monday was laundry day and Tuesday was ironing day but what took place in the vintage home on Wednedsay?
Although it seems that it was common advice for a homemaker in time’s past to have a set day for doing a particular household task. Just what task to do on what day most [...]
The Use of Linen Dish Cloths And Their Care
I like to think housewives of the past embroidered their dish towels with weekly activities as a way of reminding them what household tasks were to be done that day. Has a sort of romantic old fashioned appeal don’t you think?
Truly I’m not sure for the reasoning for the specific homemaking duties embroidered on dish [...]
Bathroom Cleaning Tips from 1911 – 1912
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 [...]
The Daily Details of a Vintage Weekly Schedule
The art of scheduling the days within your week was fine tuned long before I was born. Planning the steps of your day leaves little undone. This extremely detailed workweek from an early 20th century housewife did include rest periods which are important for well being.
Examples Of Schedules
While, as was said, it is not [...]
Winter Storage
With the arrival of winter comes the necessary task of storing summer’s items. These tidbits from pre-1920’s homemaking books hold gems of advice…
The garret or attic is a storage place of practical importance. As to the holding-over of discarded clothing, furniture, and various other movable property, there is argument for and against. Furniture and clothing [...]
Care and Management of a Linen Cupboard
In the era of cloth not paper napkins, of tablecloths, and dish cloths it was important to know how to care for those items and preserve them in the best manner.
“A Linen cupboard should be in an airy dry situation to prevent mildew, not against an outside wall.
One shelf should be set apart [...]
The Care Of Cupboards
There are three methods in general use of caring for cupboards. Some housewives prefer their cupboard shelves of bare wood, to be well scrubbed with soap and water at the periodical “turn-out.” Others cover all shelves with white American cloth, which only needs wiping over with a wet house-flannel; while still others prefer to dispense [...]
Taking Care of Floors
In 1921 The Priscilla Proving Plant was a home where the Priscilla’s Housekeeping magazine editors lived and worked to find the best ways to accomplish regular household tasks.
Here is shared the best (at the time) methods for caring for your home’s floors.
Just as the decorative beauty of a room hinges on the treatment of floor [...]
Dish Washing a Study of
In the early 20th century homemaking was a common school course. By the time I ended up in school Home Economics had turned into more of a feasting class than learning anything practical.
Here is a lesson from the Ontario’s Teaching Manual for Household Management on washing the dishes.
Washing Dishes
Preparation for washing:
1. Put away the food.
2. [...]
The Care of Pianos. Godey’s Lady’s Book
I thought this was timely since I just bought one.
Godey’s Lady’s Book December 1867.
“It should be remembered that the pianoforte is susceptible of the change of temperature, and when tuned in one temperature will be out of tune in another.
Good and well made pianofortes will stand if they are tuned at proper periods.
Many [...]
