Thursday, May 14, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday

Is it Thursday again? Seems like just yesterday...
Update on the scale scoop: Thanks for all of your suggestions for ways to repurpose it. Unfortunately there is no place in my house that it can be used comfortably and outside in the yard is a definite "no". I have decided to talk Suzanne into buying it at my garage sale!! Think she'll go for it?
Be sure to check out all of the other vintage thingies by visiting Colorado Lady.



Today I have a fun and entertaining booklet to share with you. As the cover says, it contains reliable hints and suggestions for the household.

It was published in the early 1900's by the Rumford Chemical Works of Providence, RI.
This section gives you suggestions for proper and systematic methods of doing housework by offering a general outline to follow when cleaning your house. On Tuesday it suggests that the mistress must on this day undertake the care of the bedrooms, and also wash the breakfast dishes, so that the maid can devote all her time and attention to the washing. MAID???

Here's a tip for cleaning your rusty and blackened knives: use half a raw potato dipped in brickdust.

Did you know: Footstools placed under the table will prove a source of great comfort to short people at meal times.

Rubbing lamp chimneys with salt after washing gives them a surprising brilliancy.

Here is one of my favorites: To clean soiled wall paper, take half a loaf of bread and gently rub the soiled portions, working always in a downward direction. As soon as the bread is soiled cut off a thin slice. If you try this one, let me know how it works!!

And always remember that proper and systematic methods of doing housework would eliminate nearly one-half the labor from the home; but it is too often the case that the work is done whenever most convenient, and in some cases only when it is impossible to leave the task longer undone.

22 comments:

viridian said...

Sarah:
thanks for sharing!

Robin said...

Those tips are just hilarious!

Susan said...

With the word reliable my mind thought of Anne of Green Gables and then reading the daily routine it would have been a schedule they adhered to. I do think leaving time for needlework is always a good thing.

Marie Reed said...

This is a hoot! I'm off to russle up some brickdust! My silver ware has been looking dull!

Unknown said...

Nifty little book!

LV said...

Some of the older ways and methods shouold be used today. Feel they are better than some of the modern.

Postcardy said...

Fascinating suggestions. Never heard of brickdust.

Donna said...

Great post..I remember my grandmother cleaning wall paper with something that looked like and smelled like play-dough...but that was long long before play-dough

CC said...

Oh, how I would love to have this book. I have a book from 1907 with household hints and recipes that I just love. Sure wish mine came with that maid..:).

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

I wonder if the brick dust would work as a cheap version of dermabrasion....I have a brick, and a potato, and wrinkles...

I want to try that salt-on-glass technique, though, on my windows!

Bea said...

How funny! I love the statement about footstools for short people.

And I will have you know, I do breakfast dishes on Tuesday so my maid can do the laundry. In my dreams...

Amy said...

I love that! what a cool book! I have two similar, one is a sunbean mixing book with household hints and the other is a mrs beeton household hints book.

Tikimama said...

Those excerpts are hilarious! Maid...sheesh!

Ulla said...

Great book! I remember Rumford baking powder packed just like that. When we were little and happened to draw on the wallpaper with our colours, mother rubbed the stains away with plain white bread (baked with no fat). I know it works!

Miri said...

Wonderful post! I love old household tip books...thanks for the infor and the chuckle! (Have to try that bread thing :)

Louise (KardKrazy) said...

Me too on the bread and wallpaper thing! Cool book, Sarah!

Terry said...

Hello
This was my first visit to your blog and I had a wonderful time.
Looking forward to my next visit.
Those hints were really fun.
Thank you for sharing them.
Have a blessed weekend.

azLizJane said...

Hi Sarah!

This post gave me the giggles and some burst of laughter. Maybe next time I need the walls washed I could get my kids to use a slice of bread (snort!).

I am still out here lurking around, and do visit your site regularly.

I love all of the vintage items that you have showcased. Some are so funny. I am glad I live in this time and not where I would need to scrub my lamp globes with salt to make them shine!

Have a great day!

Liz

Darlene said...

This was such a cool posting ... I truly enjoyed it!! Thanks for sharing these helpful hints Sarah!

Coloradolady said...

Oh, yes she will! Just waiting on word for the Garage sale. The tips in this book are just too cute! Love it. Thanks for participating in VTT. Sorry my comment is so late, I have been out of town.

Robin said...

Happy Blogaversary today!!!

Lyneen said...

tooo FUNNY... I am ROFL... I can just see me rubbing the bread on the wall and my husband walking in the room and proclaiming I have lost my head!!!