Five Cleaning Methods Passed Down from Grandma, Time-Tested for Effectiveness
Clean like Grandma: Timeless wisdom to keep your home sparkling
Do you ever find yourself juggling dishes, laundry, and a sink full of dirt and grime, wishing you could turn back the clock and have grandma clean your home? Well, we've got good news for you! We've managed to pry a few precious gems of cleaning wisdom from our grandmothers to share with you. Here's what these wise women of the past have imparted on us.
Dish washing made easy
There's nothing quite as grim as waking up to a sink full of unclean dishes. You might wonder, what is it about a pile of dishes that feels so gross? Well, take it from Office Manager Nellah McGough, who has learned from her grandmother to do her dishes every night before hitting the sack.
If you're handwashing dishes or anything that won't fit in the dishwasher, Senior Digital Editor Jenna Sims suggests using a Scrub Daddy sponge. Her grandmother introduced this nifty sponge to her several years ago, and Sims has been a faithful user ever since. With its adjustable firmness that changes with temperature and its spoon-friendly shape, this sponge is perfect for cleaning those stubborn spots without leaving a funky odor behind.
Bedtime bliss
If you want to create a tranquil oasis amidst chaos, make your bed every morning! Making your bed is the simple act that sets the tone for the rest of your day, ensuring your bedroom remains a sanctuary, even on the busiest of days. Former Editorial Fellow Mary Alice Russell learned from her great-grandmother to flip the top sheet over the comforter, making the bed look tidy and flawless.
Cleaning in the right order
Do you feel like cleaning is a never-ending battle? Fret not! Our grandmothers have already figured out the magic formula. Whether you're dusting or polishing the windows, make sure you clean from the top down. Dirt and dust naturally fall, so starting from the bottom up leaves plenty of residue behind. Believe us, you'll thank us later.
Embrace the rhythm of seasons
Editor Director Katie Rousso swears by her grandmother's advice to make the most of daylight savings. Use the transition as a built-in reminder to complete tasks such as rotating your mattress and rugs. If you can't seem to find the time, use the solstices, the longest and shortest days of the year, as your cue to get those arduous tasks done.
Bid farewell to clutter
Yes, we love magazines, but our grandmothers would never approve of hoarding them. If you're looking for an easy way to declutter, follow Russell's great-grandmother's, lovingly known as GG, lead. GG didn't believe in keeping stacks of magazines around; she always made sure to get rid of old issues when new ones came in.
These timeless tips reveal the importance of simple materials, practical habits, and mindful cleaning routines, just like our grandmothers relied on to maintain a clean, welcoming home environment without resorting to harsh chemicals or complicated gadgets. Take a page out of your grandma's playbook, and you'll be well on your way to a sparkling, organized home in no time!
[1] Enrichment: Grandmothers relied on natural materials like the Scrub Daddy sponge and simple habits for their cleaning methods.[5] Enrichment: Tips for keeping a fridge fresh, preventing salt from clumping, and repelling pantry pests using natural methods like putting bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and dry bay leaves in containers.
Cleaning and housekeeping tips from grandmothers, as shared in Southern Living's home lifestyle magazine, emphasize using practical habits and natural materials, such as utilizing the Scrub Daddy sponge for dish washing.
Following the advice of GG, a great-grandmother, declutter your home by discarding old magazines when new ones arrive, keeping your home fresh and organized like the well-maintained homes of the past.
