HOUSE CLEANING THE VICTORIAN WAY? NO THANK YOU
Imagine if you would, house cleaning in the Victorian era. We all look aghast at the laundry basket but a quick sort and some soap powder and at the press of a button the problem is solved. We can go off and read a book whilst a machine does all the hard work.
150 years ago it was very different process cleaning a house. Before breakfast, work would start on re-lighting the kitchen stove where the only source of hot water could be drawn, then shutters needed to be opened, grates cleaned, ashes disposed of, new fires re-laid, entrance floors swept and the front step cleaned. This was all before breakfast. Wicks on lamps had to be trimmed and cleaned, floors were mopped and chamber pots emptied. Remember the vacuum cleaner wasn’t invented until 1901 and refrigeration was some way off, most things were done by hand and cooking and shopping were also massive undertakings.
The interesting thing is we have more help these days than ever before but seem to have less time to do housework and everyone is under intense pressure from all kinds of other distractions. It appears we have not gained any time at all. Granted, we no longer have a long walk to wash clothes in the river but sometimes when I see the pile of ironing virtually touching the ceiling I know I have lost control.
Wherever we look we are encouraged to make our houses as clean as show homes. TV programmes attempt to shame us into making our houses germ free. This is an impossible aspiration. Let’s face it, just how often do you muck out the fridge? Thought so. The Victorians had some great tips which we can use today, when we do roll up our sleeves and get down to it.
Half a lemon left in the fridge will help absorb smells, did you know half a cut onion in a cupboard that has been freshly painted will eliminate odours. A bowl of vinegar left overnight in a smoky room will also kill off odours. Bicarbonate of soda is a great cleaner which won’t leave a residual smell and therefore is brilliant for fridges. Vinegar and newspaper are the ultimate glass cleaners. Treating a scratch with a freshly cut Brazil nut will darken exposed wood.
So you see we can learn from the past ,but if that sounds like just too much effort then give pigsty a call and let your house shine through someone else’s efforts and you can read about the tips instead. Remember, if you need your house cleaned thoroughly in Cork or Dublin there’s no one better to do it. Call pigsty today and find something more exciting to do with your time.