Vintage Laundry Advice from 1912 Grandmother
Posted by mypiggywiggy
I just adore this little note that a grandmother sent to her granddaughter in 1912 as she is about to enter into marriage. I love that there are multiple misspelled words, and I just love the very last note especially!
Laundry Advice to a 1912 Bride from her Grandmother
1.] Bild fire in back yard to heet kettle of rainwater.
2.] Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3.] Shave one hole cake lie soap in boilin water.
4.] Sort things, make three piles. 1 pile white. 1 pile cullord. 1 pile work britches and rags.
5.] To make starch stur flour in cold water to smooth then thin down with boilin water.
6.] Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then boil. Rub cullord but don’t boil — just rench and starch.
7.] Take white things out of kettle with broom stick handle then rench, blew and starch.
8.] Spred tee towels on grass.
9.] Hang old rags on fence.
10.] Pour rench water in flower bed.
11.] Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
12.] Turn tubs upside down.
13.] Go put on cleen dress, smooth hair with side combs, brew cup of tee — set and rest a spell and count your blessins.
Oh goodness, can you imagine if THIS was how we had to do laundry now?! Although as a vintage shop owner, many many of the vintage garments from my shop are hand washed by yours truly and sometimes a few soakings are required! I just can't imagine having to boil water in a kettle and using a broomstick to take out laundry!
note: this post was originally posted on my old blog here.