One of the guiding principles of housecleaning in the 1940s seems to be that you make as few trips back and forth from one room to another. You carry about your tools and equipment, dirty dishes, or bric-a-brac on trays or in baskets. Whatever it takes to save you an extra step. And so one of the first steps in cleaning bedrooms on Thursdays is to tote your vacuum cleaner and basket of supplies into the bedroom. "With a cleaning basket, there will be no need for hurried trips back to the source of supply for forgotten items." This certainly saves some time with one bedroom, but it'd be an extra big help if you had several bedrooms and maybe a nursery to clean!
The authors of the manual suggest using a "small inexpensive open market basket with a handle." To fit all your supplies comfortably, it should be at least 12 inches in length, 10 1/2 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Here's a list of recommended tools and supplies:
Whisk broom or upholstery brush (for brushing draperies and upholstery)
Small soft brush (for dusting carving, etc.)
1 treated dustcloth (for daily dusting)
2 cheesecloth squares (for washing and drying woodwork)
Cotton waste (for applying polishes and cleansers)
1 flannel polishing cloth (for rubbing or polishing)
1 cellulose sponge (for washing woodwork, walls, etc.)
Art-gum eraser (for removing soiled spots from walls or from lampshades)
Wallpaper cleanser (dough-type or pad)
Furniture polish or lemon oil or wax
Mild scouring powder or whiting
Paint cleaner
Carbon tetrachloride (4-ounce bottle)
Oil of peppermint
Scissors
Are you stocked up? I'm not sure if I even have a basket to my name, but I'll rummage about a bit and see what I can find. As for supplies, I've got a sponge, some scouring powder (Comet), and a pair of scissors. That's it. I'm clearly underprepared for housekeeping. Hey, maybe that's why it's so painful to me... Interested in making some of your own treated dustcloths? Here's a recipe:
Treated Dusters
1 pint hot water
1/4 cup lemon oil
Combine hot water and lemon oil. Dip 4-5 cheesecloth squares (20" by 20") in solution. Press solution through cloth thoroughly. Squeeze out all excess moisture. Dry thoroughly.
The authors of the manual suggest using a "small inexpensive open market basket with a handle." To fit all your supplies comfortably, it should be at least 12 inches in length, 10 1/2 inches wide, and 8 inches deep. Here's a list of recommended tools and supplies:
Whisk broom or upholstery brush (for brushing draperies and upholstery)
Small soft brush (for dusting carving, etc.)
1 treated dustcloth (for daily dusting)
2 cheesecloth squares (for washing and drying woodwork)
Cotton waste (for applying polishes and cleansers)
1 flannel polishing cloth (for rubbing or polishing)
1 cellulose sponge (for washing woodwork, walls, etc.)
Art-gum eraser (for removing soiled spots from walls or from lampshades)
Wallpaper cleanser (dough-type or pad)
Furniture polish or lemon oil or wax
Mild scouring powder or whiting
Paint cleaner
Carbon tetrachloride (4-ounce bottle)
Oil of peppermint
Scissors
Are you stocked up? I'm not sure if I even have a basket to my name, but I'll rummage about a bit and see what I can find. As for supplies, I've got a sponge, some scouring powder (Comet), and a pair of scissors. That's it. I'm clearly underprepared for housekeeping. Hey, maybe that's why it's so painful to me... Interested in making some of your own treated dustcloths? Here's a recipe:
Treated Dusters
1 pint hot water
1/4 cup lemon oil
Combine hot water and lemon oil. Dip 4-5 cheesecloth squares (20" by 20") in solution. Press solution through cloth thoroughly. Squeeze out all excess moisture. Dry thoroughly.
7 comments:
we used to have it all in a 4L rectangle bucket at my parents house...but now i have it spread all over the house... I think i should go back to the bucket thought...'twas much easier
Jitterbug, I have decided to reduce the chaos in my life and become a clean queen with you. With four children, three of whom are homeschooled, and myself with no training or interest in housekeeping, I am a walking housekeeping disaster. But all that will change! My children and I have spent the last few days of our Australian school holidays decluttering bedrooms, and devising a morning routine to start on next week. We can do it!
We also have a cleaning caddy, and that is the only reason I ever clean anything. I learnt this technique from the cleaning lady I had when my children were babies - carry everything you need with you at all times, including lots of drying rags, and immediately dry anything you have washed. I have found this excellent, because it means I don't get distracted by having to go find cleaning gear, or discouraged by not being able to find it. And having cool cleaning gear makes me feel as professional as someone cleaning a toilet is ever likely to feel.
I love the idea of an art gum eraser to clean walls. Wonder if it works. I shall buy one tomorrow.
Quick "ad" here! I FINISHED my 30-day challenge of cooking only from my pantry!
Please come and celebrate with me and leave an entry to win a lovely book about tea. It's not vintage, but it does take you back to a more restful time.
Roxanne
I'm afraid I just donated my last basket to our Primary Cat to sleep in, but have you considered a cleaning apron? It's your basic half-apron with deep pockets for dustcloths, cleaning sprays, etc.
Ooh, a cleaning apron sounds clever - I do have one with some great pockets across the front - but then I wonder if it would make it awkward bending and climbing and squatting to reach this or that while I'm cleaning. Thanks for the idea, Shay!
I can definitely see the logic in putting everything in one place and carrying it about with you. There's nothing worse than having the energy to clean and knowing that your polish (or whatever) is somewhere deep inside your messy cabinet under the bathroom sink and not being able to find it. (I sound like I speak from experience, don't I?)
Jo, I'm so happy for you! There is nothing fun about chaos. Unless you're an artist, I guess... Yes, I think you're onto something about how professional the housewife could feel with great tools. And they don't really have to cost much money. I'm going to pick out a few items from that list and start my own cleaning basket tomorrow. It'll get more complete over time.
When I read this yesterday I had to laugh, as I had just been going over the 'list' the evening before in bed! Yesterday I so needed it. WE had snow storm going, so I didn't bother going out and just went about my cleaning and everytime I had to run up and down the stairs to get that brush I forgot or oops I left the comet in the kitchen bathroom etc, I thought, if I just had my basket. I am also going to try the cleaning cloths and was rather excited when I came upon that recipe! Isn't it funny what it excites us now! I have to say I utterly LOVE it!
I haven't found just the right basket yet, so for now I'm going to use a small plastic tub that's been collecting dust in the cabinet beneath my kitchen sink. It'll be great to have my supplies all in one place. For once!
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