Cleaning Through The Ages

Various items where usedtrough the ages for cleaningpurposes. some stayed for

longer, others were quicklyreplaced. Here is a short

overview from past eras tomodern day cleaning tools

societies have used.

~2000 BC

In approximately 2800 BC clay vessels were foundto have soap like residue on the insides provingthat the Babylonians had a type of soap that left ascum.

In the 1500s stale human urine was used as acleaning agent for laundry! Early brushes onlyhad short handles so required the user to benddown to employ them.

Sun-dried mud bricks and stamped earth floorswere both brushed down and only cleaned withrain water.

1500s

During the 15th century brushes were used tosweep the floors of medieval castles which washard work as they were often covered withstraw and rushes.

Rush and straw mats were subsequently made tohelp with the cleaning as they could be takenoutside and beaten. Carpets, rugs, clothes andbedding were hung over a line and the dust anddirt beaten out of them.

Carpet beaters were made of wood, cane wickeror wire.

1500s

Earth ovens were simply pits dug in the groundand required no cleaning. Ceramic ovens madeof clay or brick were cleaned with metal bristlebrushes and long handled hoe-like tools.

Lye soap mixed with lard would be used to scrubthe floors and walls.

Washing and drying the laundry was all done byhand. Lye soap was used here too as it cutthrough even the toughest of stains.

1900s

In the second half of the 19th century box mangleswere used to wring out the water from wetclothes. The rollers were typically made fromwood and sometimes from rubber.

A gas heated home mangle was invented forpressing linens, followed by the production ofelectric mangles. When home washing machineswere invented they were used solely for washingand were simply a tub on wheels.

The Scott Paper Company introduced the first papertowels in 1907. The first commercial liquid bleachwas invented in 1913 using brine taken from saltponds.

Windows

Window cleaning was often done with vinegar.Paper towels are used to wipe down the frameand sill before vinegar mixed with water isapplied.

The entire surface is rubbed with a clothworking quickly to avoid streaking. Crumplednewspaper gives a lint free result.

It was also reported that a clean, blackboarderaser gave a really fine shine after thewindows were dry!

Today the tools we use for cleaning are constantlychanging. Window cleaning companies adjust to

the latest on the market every day. If you are up toa demonstration you can always book us.

professionalwindowservices.co.uk