Although she wasn't around to impart her knowledge firsthand.
I might be one of those rare birds who actually enjoys cleaning, to an extent. Even as a child, I reveled in tidying up, vacuum lines in the carpet, and a perfectly made bed. I carried this with me through college and into adulthood, where my relationship with cleaning supplies And as a whole, this approach became unstable when I tried juggling a meticulously organized house along with my career and raising a family. This setup was entirely impractical and swiftly drained all the pleasure from what had previously been an unexpected source of relaxation. Then entered the professional housecleaners I never turned back after that.
Years later, the housekeepers are no longer on the payroll and I’m in a place where I am once again finding little bits of joy amidst daily house upkeep. What’s changed? My work hours, most notably, but also that little nagging voice in my head that yearns—no, demands—perfection. What once was an obstacle to allowing others to help, has come under new management, finally allowing the rest of the family to jump in on the action without fear of being micromanaged.
Just in time to have this full-circle moment, I decided to give a 1950s cleaning schedule a try. [Because that makes sense, right?] But, in my current place of moderation, I didn’t jump into this little experiment with an all-or-nothing attitude. It was all about modification.
Related: I Tested the 6/10 Cleaning Technique and Now I'm Convinced
The Basics
Although I didn't adhere strictly to a single 1950s cleaning routine, I drew from my understanding of traditional housekeeping techniques combined with recollections of my grandmother’s approach to maintaining both her home and her regimen. This blend was then adapted to fit contemporary living spaces and lifestyles. My everyday chores ended up being more extensive compared to what I usually handle. weekly tasks Additionally, it was quite time-intensive. In summary, even a moderate method required around 12 hours of intense aerobic exercise.
I managed to last only one day and didn't take a seat until 7:45 p.m.
The Morning Tasks
You can pick from numerous 1950s housekeeping routines. Browse through Pinterest, and you'll discover plenty of checklists designed to streamline these tasks. Most of these plans begin with activities like folding back bed covers and throwing open curtains and windows. It’s worth noting that "making beds" wasn’t part of this routine; instead, they emphasized flipping down the bedding first thing in the morning. Preparing breakfast for your household members, clearing away dishes afterward, and keeping the kitchen neat were next on the list. Once those initial chores were complete, serious cleaning commenced.
The everyday chores resembled those found in numerous contemporary homes. Tasks such as cleaning countertops, drawing open the drapes, arranging bedding, and organizing clutter formed part of the regular duties. However, this is when the enjoyment kicked in. Daily washing commenced, something I’m quite okay with since I strongly feel that tackling one load each day prevents an overwhelming accumulation in the laundry area; nonetheless, these responsibilities proved more demanding compared to what I typically handle. Each batch had to go through every step, implying consistent pressing sessions became necessary.
Daily maintenance of the refrigerator involved quick cleanouts and wipedowns, along with collecting and disposing of garbage around the house every morning. Paying close attention to items such as soap dispensers, toilet paper rolls, and tissues was essential. These were all replenished or refilled as needed.
The floors would get a swift sweeping, with high-traffic zones receiving more thorough cleaning and possibly even daily mopping. Cushions, pillows, and throw blankets on sofas would be plumped up and neatly arranged, and almost every surface would undergo a brief dusting.
By now it should be around 9:05 a.m., but just teasing you. This checklist took up my entire morning (spanning from 7:45 till 12:30), including a brief 30-minute exercise session, yet I still couldn’t complete every item. Due to having to pick up my child from preschool at a strict cutoff point, I had to compromise and ended up missing out on lunch since there were countless things needing attention before midday. All I managed to grab for nutrition was a smoothie during drop-off/pick-up duty.
The Afternoon Tasks
As far as I comprehend, the afternoons had a bit more free space compared to the structured mornings. These times often saw visits from neighbors or other relatives and provided opportunities for preparing dinner. This arrangement fit nicely into my calendar because I typically juggle several tasks between picking up my toddler from preschool and fetching our older child about ninety minutes afterward. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure you're stocked up on grocery items and essentials before things get hectic; once morning duties align with a stringent 1950s-style cleaning regimen, personal time vanishes quickly.
Related: 5 Daily Habits of My Grandmother That Are Worth Reviving
The Evening Tasks
Following the evening meal, securing the home for nighttime involved ensuring the kitchen was completely clean and organized down to the flooring, with every item returned to storage. The final step entailed giving the residence a thorough once-over to confirm nothing like stray toys or miscellaneous objects lay scattered; rather, they should be neatly stored where they belong—only then could someone finally sink exhausted onto the ground.
The Takeaways
Although contemporary conveniences such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers expedite our everyday duties, several elements hinder this efficiency. For instance, bigger living spaces coupled with packed agendas pose significant challenges. Despite managing to handle routine tasks, incorporating more substantial activities—such as scrubbing baseboards, polishing ceiling lights, or cleansing exterior windows—proved impractical within my schedule constraints.
However, despite this significant drawback, my place ended up feeling significantly tidier, smelling better, and surprisingly more serene by the close of each day. While it might not align perfectly with today’s standards—or even current practices—it does hold some charm. Adopting a 1950s cleaning routine could certainly benefit those who are new to household chores or require a thorough cleanup before festive occasions or when hosting visitors—if they're willing to invest the necessary hours. Additionally, such schedules offer a foundational template that can easily be adjusted according to individual preferences and specific living conditions.
Not long ago, I heard a podcast episode where the host cautioned listeners about turning their homes into idols due to excessive cleanliness, which resonated deeply with me. Although I appreciate the effort behind crafting a cozy and welcoming living space, I recognize my tendency to place too much importance on matters that ultimately hold little significance. As I embarked on this endeavor planning to follow every guideline meticulously, I soon understood just how impractical such perfectionism was for my present circumstances—a perspective that both sets of grandmas likely would’ve advised me to reconsider. They surely would've urged caution against striving for absolute flawlessness, particularly when it comes to nurturing a vibrant household filled with activity.
While giving a much greater attention to detail and working at a tiring speed were (dare I say) a nice change of pace, what I’m taking with me is another renewed look at what balance means in 2024—and how home will always be where the heart is, just as my grandmother would have wanted. Even if there are finger prints on the windows.
Read the initial article on Southern Living
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