The History of Housework: From Chore to Technology
Whether it’s seen as a tedious task or a fulfilling routine, housework is something we all must engage in.
Exploring the history of housework not only helps us understand how society and technology have evolved but also reveals the common threads that link us to those who lived before us.
Servants and Gender Roles
Up until the 1900s, many middle and upper-class households employed servants to maintain their homes. In 1891, over a million women worked as domestic servants, as they were more affordable and easier to hire than men. For less wealthy families, having even one servant, who would often manage all the housework, was common.
Some housemaids carried a box or bucket containing the tools they needed to perform their tasks.
Today, while the luxury of hiring servants is out of reach for most families, surveys reveal that women continue to shoulder the bulk of housework in households across the UK.
Changing Technology: Time and Labor-Saving Innovations
Housekeeping in the past was a monumental effort, but technological advancements in the 1800s began to streamline the process, making cleaning faster and easier. Before these innovations, textiles like carpets and rugs were hung outside to be beaten free of dust and dirt.
The vacuum cleaner, developed from the 1860s onward, emerged as a significant labor-saving device. Initially hand-powered, and in some cases requiring two people to operate, these early vacuums were a luxury item. However, by the mid-1900s, they became a common household tool and today are considered essential in most homes.
While these labor-saving devices have made cleaning more efficient, they have also raised the bar for cleanliness and contributed to new anxieties surrounding domestic upkeep.
The Rise of “Cleanfluencers” and Household Tips
Today, millions of followers turn to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for advice from “cleanfluencers” on maintaining a spotless home. This isn’t a new phenomenon—during the early 1900s, instead of checking a phone for tips, people relied on recipe books that included both cooking recipes and cleaning remedies.
At the time, cleaning products were often homemade, and many of the ingredients were rather unpleasant.
Battling Pests: A Historical Perspective
In the 1700s, bedbugs were a significant issue in Britain. While many people simply crushed them, some relied on more unusual remedies, such as mixing drippings from roasted cat fat with egg yolks and oil to create an ointment for treating infested furniture.
More recently, bedbugs have made a comeback, likely due to increased global travel and the pests’ growing resistance to insecticides.
The First Cleaning Product
The earliest cleaning product was water, which was the primary method for washing during prehistoric times. As civilizations progressed, the need for more effective cleaning solutions led to the invention of soap.
Soap, however, didn’t become widely available until much later. In the 18th century, soap was considered a luxury item, so much so that it was taxed. Over time, with advances in soap chemistry, production costs dropped, and soap became more accessible to the general public.
Modern cleaning products, as we know them today, began to appear in the 1950s. Now, a variety of specialized products are available, including automatic dishwasher detergents, laundry softeners, liquid soaps, cold-water detergents, gels, refills, and concentrated powders.
Who Invented the First Vacuum Cleaner?
The first vacuum cleaner was invented by Hubert Cecil Booth in 1901. Inspired by a common cleaning device of the time, Booth noticed a major flaw: the machine blew air to lift dust, which merely scattered it. Determined to improve upon this design, Booth envisioned a machine that would suck up dirt using a filter—a concept initially considered impossible.
After extensive testing, Booth succeeded in developing his design, founding the British Vacuum Cleaner Company. His innovation led to the creation of a device that revolutionized carpet cleaning and forever changed the way people cleaned their homes.
Window Cleaning
While the exact origins of glass remain unclear, we know it dates back millennia, likely originating in ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia. The Bible even references it, particularly in the Book of Job (written between 7 and 4 B.C.), where glass is described as valuable, though not as precious as wisdom: “Gold and glass cannot equal it.”
Fast forward to the late 19th century. In 1861, chemist Ernest Solvay developed an affordable method for mass-producing glass, making it an appealing material for construction. With this new accessibility, glass windows became common, creating the need for a new industry: window cleaning.
The Birth of an Industry
Early window cleaning was a manual task, typically handled by servants or housewives with just a rag, a bucket of water, and a ladder. By 1885, the first modern skyscraper—the 10-story Chicago Home Insurance Building—was constructed, spurring the need for professional window cleaning. As skyscrapers grew taller, so did the demand for specialized cleaning services.
In 1887, Frenchman Marius Moussy founded a window cleaning trade group in Berlin, and his former employees spread the practice across Europe. By 1953, the window cleaning profession was formally recognized as part of the broader “glass and building cleaning industry.”
The rise of this industry brought new tools, including early inventions like the 1883 “Window Gleamer” by J. Kirkman. Squeegees also became essential; the idea dates back to the Middle Ages when fishermen used similar tools called “squilgees” to clean boat decks, a term later referenced in Moby Dick.
In 1899, P.R. Cumming filed for a squeegee patent, and by 1927, the A.C. Jensen Window Cleaning Squeegee was referenced in patents by major companies like Unger, Pulex, and Sörbo.
The Chicago Squeegee
Early squeegees, like the Chicago Squeegee, were bulky, heavy, and required significant effort to maintain. Made of steel with thick red rubber blades, changing the blades required loosening 12 screws. Kevin Dixon, an antique squeegee collector, even returned a 100-year-old Chicago Squeegee to the J.Racenstein Company, where it now resides in the office of company president, Steve Blyth.
J. Racenstein Enters the Scene
In 1909, window cleaning tools became more formalized, and J. Racenstein was among the first suppliers. Joseph Racenstein started his company in his Manhattan apartment, offering high-quality products and customer service. As demand grew, he moved to the Cable Building on Broadway, where window cleaners from across New York came for supplies and guidance.
The Modern Squeegee
In 1921, Ettore Steccone, an Italian immigrant in California, revolutionized the industry by creating the T-type squeegee, made of lighter brass and featuring a rubber blade. In 1936, he patented the design as the “New Deal.” After several rejections from suppliers, Ettore struck a deal with George Racenstein (Joe’s son). He bet that George would want to carry the squeegee in his catalog within 30 days—offering a hat as the wager. Ettore’s plan worked, and the New Deal squeegee became a success.
Changes in Highrise Cleaning
Before the 1950s, window cleaners worked from ledges, secured by leather harnesses. With the rise of glass curtain walls in the 1950s, access to windows became more challenging, leading to the creation of mobile window-washing platforms.
Window Cleaning Poles
In 1955, Irv Tucker introduced window cleaning poles, which allowed workers to clean windows from the ground. By the 1960s, commercial use of poles became widespread, and in the 1990s, Craig Mawlam’s water-fed poles revolutionized the industry by incorporating telescoping poles and water purification systems.
Today, water-fed poles are a key tool in the industry, with manufacturers continually innovating to create stronger, lighter versions that can reach new heights.
The More Things Change…
This year, J. Racenstein celebrates 110 years in business—a significant milestone in an industry that has seen constant innovation. Since Joseph Racenstein’s founding in 1909, the company has focused on offering the best products, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to educating its customers. This philosophy has allowed J. Racenstein to grow alongside the window cleaning industry and remain a leader for over a century. As we look toward the future, our mission remains the same: to provide the best tools, lead by innovation, and support the growth of the industry for the next 100 years.
Commercial cleaning in the 21st century.
sources
https://www.museumofthehome.org.uk/explore/stories-of-home/cleaning-and-housework/
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