Keeping a kitchen clean can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, cleaning the kitchen is made easier by using these tips from 1950s housewives.
I often feel like cleaning the kitchen is an endless task and one I don’t keep up with as well as I’d like. And when I feel like I want to improve a homemaking skill I reach for vintage homemaking books. They are often packed with really valuable information that can still be applied today.
The book I chose to read is Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking from 1956. It has a whole section on “keeping your kitchen sparkling” and that is just want I want to do.
I also happen to have a vintage kitchen so the tips still apply very well but even if you have a modern kitchen you can learn a lot from their tips. If you want to join me in keeping our kitchens sparkling be sure to keep reading.
Cleaning the Kitchen Like a 1950s Housewife
Cleaning Cabinets
For painted wood or metal cabinets you want to avoid harsh abrasives. Instead use a cloth with warm, soapy water to remove grease and finger marks. This method works especially well if you make it a habit to wipe down cabinets each day when doing the dishes.
For natural wood cabinets you want to keep them wiped off with warm soapy water as well but make sure to also dry the surface. And you want to wax the surface often to help protect the cabinets.
Kitchen Counter Tops
It’s important to note that there weren’t as many countertop types at the time of this book’s publishing so some types are missing. For those make sure to check what the manufacture recommends.
Protecting your surfaces can help prevent damage to your surfaces. Using protective mats can help. This book suggested asbestos mats but we now know asbestos is very harmful so go with more modern alternatives like silicone.
For stainless steel countertops hot soapy water will usually do the trick. If the surfaces start to look dull use a good metal polish that is safe for stainless steel. Scouring powder can also be useful.
For linoleum countertops wipe clean with hot soapy water. If food sticks lay a damp cloth over the spot to loosen it. Do not use abrasive cleaners or steel wool.
For Formica, which is what I have, the instructions are the same as linoleum. They should also be polished a couple of times a year. I’m still looking for a safe polish I like.
Don’t Neglect Your Range
For the exterior, wipe with a hot soapy rag. For stubborn spots sprinkle a little household cleanser and rub lightly with a damp cloth. I like to use Bar Keepers Friends. Bon Ami is another good option that was popular in the 1950s.
For the oven, they recommend oven cleaner but I can’t. Most oven cleaners are very harsh and bad for our health. Instead using a paste of baking soda and a wet rag generally is a better option.
For the stove top, remove any parts that can be soaked (drip trays, pan under electric elements, gas-range pan supports). While this soak in hot soapy water, clean all surfaces you can with a damp cloth.
Cleaning the Refrigerator
For the exterior, wipe with a hot soapy cloth that is wrung out. To remove stubborn stains, use a damp cloth with a small amount of household cleanser, avoid harsh abrasives.
For the interior, of course first clean out old food. Once that is done make a solution of warm water and baking soda, 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 quart of water, or use warm soapy water followed by the baking soda solution.
Note: Use warm water not hot water to avoid damaging coatings. Also never put glass shelves in hot water as they may crack.
Don’t forget the gasket. Use warm soapy water to clean it and follow with a clean rag with just water and wipe dry.
Cleaning the Freezer
The instructions for this are the same as the refrigerator, assuming your freezer auto-defrosts. If it doesn’t be sure to do that first.
Keeping Your Sink Clean
If you have a white sink you can remove marks with a cleaner like Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend.
To remove stubborn stubborn food stains, fill sink with about 1/2 water and 2 or 3 tablespoons of bleach. Swish the solution around sides of sink with dishcloth. Let stain for about 5 minutes, drain and rinse.
Cleaning and Disinfecting the Trash Can
Wash trash cans and other containers at least once a week using very hot soapy water. Long-handled brushes can be useful. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.
To disinfect use a household disinfectant as instructed. I like to use Force of Nature as it’s safe and effective.
Cleaning Small Appliances
Coffeemakers: To remove stains, rancid oil, and sludge, fill with water; add coffee-stain remover as directed. Another option that works well for most coffee makers is to run vinegar through it, just be sure it’s rinsed well.
Waffle Maker: Wipe the outside of the waffle maker with a damp rag, polish with soft dry cloth. To remove stubborn stains use a damp cloth sprinkled with household cleanser. Never immerse in water or use harsh abrasive cleaners.
Waffle makers are now generally non-stick so it’s important to use the maker’s directions to clean the inside.
Electric Mixer: Wipe the motor housing and stand with damp cloth. Rinse and ry with clean cloth, never immerse motor in water. Wash mixing bowls as directed.
Electric Blender: Wipe motor housing and stand with damp rag, rinse with cloth wrung out with clear water, dry. Never immerse base in water.
To clean the blender jar, partially fill with water and small amount of dish soap, turn on motor for a few seconds, drain, rinse in clear water, dry. If blades are detachable, wash in hot suds, rinse, and dry.
Toaster: Wipe the outside with a damp, not wet, cloth. Never immerse in water. If crumb tray is removable use small brush to remove crumbs; shaking toaster upside down may harm the elements.
Cleaning Floors
The directions for floors are outdated and don’t apply to newer flooring. Checking the manufactures instructions is best with newer flooring. Vacuuming and then mopping generally is best.
One thing to notice about these instructions is most things are cleaned with hot soapy water. That’s still what I do. It does a good job cleaning and removing a lot of germs.
The other key is to keep up with things. A quick clean each day with some weekly tasks is how homemakers of the time kept up with things. I’m guilty of waiting until I can see a task needs done and by then it’s usually a bigger job. Getting into these habits of keeping up with it a little bit a time is a better way to do it and what I’ll be making a better effort to do.
More Vintage Cleaning Advice
If you want even more tips from 1950s housewives here are some articles to check out before you leave.
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