It's time to face the music. Or, rather, the bathroom.
There are two areas in my home that I absolutely dread(ed) cleaning: the kitchen and the bathroom. I have to add that little (ed) in there because my kitchen and I are slowly mending fences. The bathroom and I are still on the outs. In fact, I can't honestly remember when I did anything more in there than to clean the toilet. So, while my scale appears to be headed in the right direction again, I'm going to squeeze in a new housekeeping mission.
The Manual lays out both a set of daily chores and a set of weekly chores for the bathroom. Knowing the trouble I had with the kitchen, I'm going to approach this new room the same way. I'll plan on covering all of the daily chores once a week (probably on Saturdays --- moving the kitchen back to Friday nights now that it's a bit more manageable) and splitting the list of weekly bathroom chores between alternating weeks.
Weekly Chores (These were recommended for housewives on a daily basis in 1945!)
1. Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air.
2. Pick up and replace small articles belonging in bathroom.
3. Gather up to take out soiled linen (to hamper, if dry), and articles belonging in other rooms. Collect trash in waste basket. Roll up bath mat or rug.
4. Wipe mirror.
5. Wipe tile behind washbowl and tub.
6. Clean bathtub and metal fixtures (be sure to wipe shower fixtures and clean soap holder).
7. Clean toilet bowl with brush. Wipe outside of bowl and closet with cloth used for that purpose only.
8. Clean washbowl (be sure to wipe base as well as top; also clean soap holder).
9. Straighten towels and wash cloths. Put out clean linen when needed (fresh linen for all on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
10. Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan. Floor should be washed.
11. Replace bath mat or rug. Close windows in cold or damp weather.
Week A
1. Rug should be cleaned and bathmat changed.
2. Duck shower curtain should be hung out in the sun if weather permits. (Clean curtain should be put up when needed.)
3. Walls should be wiped down with clean cloth or wall brush, washed when necessary.
4. Light fixtures, bulbs and globes should be dusted every week, washed when necessary.
5. Medicine cabinet should be dusted and straightened, washed when necessary.
Week B
1. Mirror should be dusted, washed when necessary.
2. Windows should be dusted inside, washed on both sides when necessary.
3. Curtains should be laundered when necessary.
4. Use special cleanser on toilet bowl.
5. Clothes hamper should be emptied, dried and aired each week, scrubbed and sunned occasionally when weather permits.
7 comments:
Everything except putting things out in the sun is how I still clean the bathroom. Oh, and I don't open the window in the dead of winter. The pipes (and people) would freeze. Truly once you get into the habit, it isn't as difficult as it sounds.
I too hate bathroom duty! I honestly think it's because my bathrooms don't have any windows--if some sunshine came through and it wasn't so flourescent, I'd probably be fine in there!
I can't get over the idea of cleaning my tub on a daily basis (weekly's going to be bad enough). I'm dreading Saturday.
Packrat, I guess these were the days before bathroom ventilating fans. And if your coal-fired furnace did a poor job of heating the second floor, then the bathroom would already be pretty chilly. I hope you're right about that habit thing!
Amber, you and me both. My bathroom doesn't have any natural light or fresh air either. It feels a bit like a hotel bathroom - except not as clean yet!
To be honest about the tub cleaning. We only bathed Saterday before Sunday church. The rest of the week was a wash up at the sink (unless that time of the month)
so the tub was washed at the end of all the bathing. The toilet wash 2-3 times per week or as needed. This was how my family had been for years. Remember my grandma was born 1894. I knew people in the 1960's who still followed this pattern.
Oh another little thing. I have a sink with something stuck on it that does not want to come off. I have tried the comet, bon ami, etc.
I remember we had zud when I grew up, especially in the bathroom. i found some, bought it and it works great. Give it a go.
Jeanne, I love as always hearing about the routine in your grandmother's house! Everybody must have been squeaky clean for church on Sunday. :)
The 1946 grooming routine I've been working away at recommends bathing every night, but that may have only been the way of a much younger generation of women.
PS - I know the "old ways" don't include this, but I recommend you get a long handled brush to use on the tub. Even another toilet brush would work. Just make sure it has flexible bristles that aren't too soft. I'm short, so this saves me from having to crawl into the tub to clean it.
Another hint: If you clean the tub right after you bathe or shower, the (any new) soap scum comes right off.
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