1950’s Cleaning Schedule

Want to clean like a 1950’s housewife? Try this 1950’s cleaning schedule. Your home will be spotless but you may be a bit exhausted!

Having a clean and well put together home was very important to housewives in the 1950s. And they spent a lot more time cleaning than we do now.

“Cleanliness was a mark of respectability. Sitting down was only acceptable in the evening.” – Dr. Liz Yardley, a lecturer in sociology at Birmingham City University. 

The time women spent cleaning is one of the reasons many think women were so much thinner in the 1950s. They spent a lot of hours on their feet every day, cleaning and doing other housework.

Trying out a 1950’s cleaning routine can help you get your house in amazing shape and burn a few extra calories. You may not want to do all of these things every day but try adding some of these to your daily cleaning schedule and see what you think.

1950’s Daily Cleaning Schedule

This list is adapted from a list share by Jen but Never Jenn, be sure to check out her fun 1950’s housewife series.

1. Throwback the covers and let your bed air out. (read why this is important)
2. Open up the blinds and windows.
3. After breakfast clean up the kitchen and eating area.
4. Gather a basket for tidying. As you tidy the home, pick up items that don’t belong in that room and add them to your basket. When you enter a new room place the items from the basket that belong in that room where they go.
5. Straighten up the living areas, pick up clutter, lightly dust, straighten pillows, and water plants.
6. Make the beds.
7. Tidy the bedroom, including a light dusting.
8. Hang up any clothes that may be about or ensure dirty ones are in the hamper.
9. Do a light tidy of the bathroom including removing and replacing used towels, refilling toilet paper and soap (as needed) and cleaning the sink area including soap dishes.
10. Wipe down kitchen work surfaces and inside the fridge and discard of any old food.
11. Dispose of garbage from around the home.
12. Rinse dishcloths and hang to dry.
13. Sweep or mop the kitchen floor.
14. Handle weekly chores that need to be done that day. (see examples below)
15. Set the table for dinner.
16. Arrange the living room for evening enjoyment with the family.
17. Do a quick sweep of the floors and ensure entrance ways are clear.
18. Clean up the eating areas after dinner and ensure all dishes are washed.
19. Set the table for breakfast.

Want some free cleaning products to use while trying this routine out? Click here to get my favorite Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning set for free.

Once a Week Chores

• Use metal polish on bathroom fixtures.
• Clean and disinfect all kitchen appliances.
• Scald and disinfect bread boxes and garbage pails and bins.
• Replace flowers with fresh bouquets.
• Laundry (including bedding).
• Vacuuming and mopping.

Be sure to also check out 7 Cleaning Hacks from 1950’s Housewives Worth Stealing.

Free Printable 1950’s Cleaning Routine

Want to try this list out as well? Sign up below for access to a free printable 1950’s cleaning routine checklist and other great printables. 

With this cleaning checklist, you can follow along with me and others in cleaning like a 1950’s housewife. You may find some chores you want to add to your normal cleaning routine.

Interested in more 1950’s cleaning tips? Check out How to do Your Spring Cleaning Like a 50’s Housewife.