1950s Inspired Cleaning Supplies

What did a 1950s homemaker use to clean their home? I was surprised to discover that most homemakers/housewives in the 50s didn’t spend all their time cleaning, they, however, had fewer items (minimalists) and they used products that made cleaning easy and kept their homes clean and fresh for longer.

Here are some of the products they used and some of their uses. I use most of these now

Lemons

Lemons can be used to deodorize a microwave, remove food stains and smells from chopping board and linens, brighten white clothes, make bathroom fixtures shine,

Vinegar

In the 1950s Vinegar was mostly used for floors and to prevent scum from forming. Vinegar can be used for removing bacteria and pesticide residues from fruits and veggies, clean windows, towels, dish cloths, and carpets.

Borax Powder

This is one of my favourites from the list, it has so many uses and is so affordable. Borax powder is can be used as a toilet bowl cleaner, for carpets, floors, clogged drains, molds, and disinfect bins and I love to make laundry detergent with it.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a game-changer, my mom’s go-to product. She always has it, and now I do too and I can tell you it’s on the top list of my favorite cleaning products. Most stores sell hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 3 to 12 percent. The 3% solution is excellent for cleaning and sanitizing the home.

You can use hydrogen peroxide to sanitize tools, manicure tools, disinfect kitchen sponges, and toothbrushes, clean your refrigerator, clean tile grout, mirrors, and more. When mixed with bicarbonate of soda, it can be used to brighten discolored dishes.

Salt

Most homes have salt and there are many ways it can be used for cleaning, some of my favorites are, stove tops, can clean stained cups, brass or copper, refrigerators, greasy pans, and more.

Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda)

Baking soda is my best friend type of product, I use it in the kitchen to clean my fridge, scrub mugs, remove burns from pots, and remove pesticides and dirt. In the bathroom I like to use it to unclog our drain, clean our taps and door handles and soak toothbrushes.

Essential Oils

2020 during the lockdown, I started researching more into essential oils, and my top favorites for cleaning are, Lemon, Tea Tree Oil, Orange, Eucalyptus, and Cedarwood.

Castile Soap

Castile soap can be used to clean nearly anything in the home, it is important to dilute it as it’s mostly sold in a concentrated form. I like to use it mostly to make my own laundry detergent and use it to make an all-purpose cleaner

Some tools that they used in the 1950s that I have to include:

• a broom and dust pan
• a brush-sized broom and dustpan
• a mop
• a vacuum
• a scrub brush, toothbrush
• a feather duster
• buckets
• containers

Do you use any of the above products? Let me know in the comments which one is your favourite and how you use it.