November 7, 2012
I just adore this little note that a grandmother sent to her granddaughter in 1912 as she is about to enter into marriage. I love that there are multiple misspelled words, and I just love the very last note especially!
1920s Wedding Party Photo
 Laundry Advice to a 1912 Bride from her Grandmother

 1.] Bild fire in back yard to heet kettle of rainwater.

 2.] Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.

 3.] Shave one hole cake lie soap in boilin water.

 4.] Sort things, make three piles. 1 pile white. 1 pile cullord. 1 pile work britches and rags.

 5.] To make starch stur flour in cold water to smooth then thin down with boilin water.

 6.] Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then boil. Rub cullord but don’t boil — just rench and starch.

7.] Take white things out of kettle with broom stick handle then rench, blew and starch.

 8.] Spred tee towels on grass.

 9.] Hang old rags on fence.

 10.] Pour rench water in flower bed.

 11.] Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

 12.] Turn tubs upside down.

 13.] Go put on cleen dress, smooth hair with side combs, brew cup of tee — set and rest a spell and count your blessins.

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Oh goodness, can you imagine if THIS was how we had to do laundry now?! Although as a vintage shop owner, many many of the vintage garments from my shop are hand washed by yours truly and sometimes a few soakings are required! I just can't imagine having to boil water in a kettle and using a broomstick to take out laundry! source: sugarpie farmhouse, photo from flickr

2 comments:

  1. So Fascinating! I love little insights into social history like this! :D

    I particularly love step no13 "Go put on cleen dress, smooth hair with side combs, brew cup of tee — set and rest a spell and count your blessins."

    And she's right you'd probably need it after all that. ;)

    Thannks for Sharing!
    Roya Xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. whew! that's a lot of work! think i might just go dirty. ha.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave me a little comment, I do try to respond back as often as I can. Have a lovely day! xoxo - Rodellee