October 5, 2022 by maidwhiz
Housekeeping is a tale as old as time and has evolved a lot since its inception. While most people today don’t think about how the invention of various appliances facilitated home upkeep, it’s good to know the brief history of housekeeping and what led to modern maintenance.
Nowadays, assistance in the form of various tools and equipment makes home maintenance a lot easier. Still, a lot of people in Haverstraw NY prefer to use professional house cleaning services. If you’re in the DIY group, however, keep reading as this article lays out the interesting history of housekeeping. Let’s take a trip down the memory lane to find out where it all started!
What is the history of cleaning?
Housekeeping began with the invention of the first cleaning agent and has come a long way since then. One of the turning points in the upkeep methods was the invention of various appliances that made chores a lot easier. Here is a brief timeline of the evolution:
1. The first cleaning agent
The first agent and disinfectant was soap. The first soap-like substance dates back to 2800 B.C. The first soapmakers were the Babylonians, Egyptians and Mesopotamians. They mixed fat, oil and salt to make it. Oddly enough, it wasn’t used for bathing and personal hygiene, but for taking care of cooking utensils or medical purposes.
An interesting fact about office maintenance according to some surveys is that nowadays when soap isn’t a luxury anymore, half of all employees don’t wash their hands after using the toilet.
2. Washing machine
The first laundering techniques involved putting dirty clothes in a strong cloth bag, tossing it overboard and letting the ship drag it for hours to remove the dirt. The washboard was the next upgrade until Hamilton Smith invented the rotary washing machine in 1858. Some 20 years later, in 1874 William Blackstone made a machine that removed dirt and stains from laundry as a birthday present for his wife and the rest was history.
The invention of the washing machine and the possibility of washing the linens at high temperatures was a major breakthrough that enabled quick and easy bedroom maintenance.
3. Vacuum cleaner
One of the essential dos and don’ts of office upkeep is thorough vacuuming. This might come as a surprise, but the first vacuum cleaner was actually designed to blow out the air with the intention of raising the dust from the carpet and into the collecting bag. Engineer Hubert Cecil Booth reversed the process in 1901 and made a machine that sucked up the dirt through a filter.
4. Dishwasher
The first dishwasher was invented by Joel Houghton in 1850 and it consisted of a wooden box that used a hand-turned wheel to splash water on dirty dishes. However, the person that made the dishwasher the way that people use it today was Josephine Cochran. Her machine was the first to use water pressure instead of scrubbers.
Josephine Cochran was a socialite who frequently threw parties. The reason why she upgraded the dishwasher was the fact that her staff often damaged her delicate and expensive china when they hand-washed the dishes.
Which Haverstraw, NY, house cleaning services are reliable?
If you want your home to be spick-and-span at all times, you need to look no further than MaidWhizz. Our experienced specialists can tackle any task and cater to all your needs. We use solely eco-friendly products so you and your family don’t have to worry about harmful residue.
Go for a walk and catch some fresh air at Haverstraw Bay while our dedicated pros spruce up your home. Book today and leave everything in our capable hands!