Get inspiration from the past with this 1940s daily cleaning schedule straight from a popular homemaking book. Download the free printable schedule to use in your own home.
“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and – SNAP – the job’s a game!” – Mary Poppins
As someone with ADHD, I have to say I love that quote because finding the fun in a task helps so much with motivation for me. And cleaning motivation is something I’ve talked about a lot around here.
One thing that I have found that can make cleaning more fun and interesting is trying different schedules. Since I have a fascination with the past trying ones from the past works perfectly.
One of the most popular posts on this site is the 1950s cleaning routine. I get such mixed reviews from people on that. Some say it’s super easy and what they already do, others are shocked at how much was done. Just goes to show we are all so different and that’s great. The world would be pretty boring if we were all the same.
I’m interested to hear what everyone thinks about this 1940s daily cleaning schedule I found. The routine comes from a 1940s homemaking book but I’ve also used 1940s magazines and other books I’ve read to help make this an even more helpful schedule and resource.
The book is also hard to find and the online version is a bit hard to skim and read. Hopefully, this summary and the additional information will be useful.
Before you get started with this cleaning schedule I remember reading about the 1940s homemaking routine. It comes from the same book and is a great starting point for scheduling your day.
1940s Daily Cleaning Schedule
America’s Housekeeping Book starts off talking about a daily cleaning schedule by reminding people everyone’s schedule will be different.
“No one can be dogmatic about the daily cleaning of various rooms in the house. So many things influence the amount of that can be done – the quantity of dust or soot in the air, for example, the philosophy of first things first, the number of rooms that must be cleaned, the size of the family, the age of the children, and the help or lack of that the homemaker has.”
We often think of homemakers of the past as being perfect but again and again, I see quotes like this in homemaking resources from the time. The truth is they were often overwhelmed just like us. And don’t forget, most were at home full-time, some had help, and homes were generally smaller.
Just like this 1940s book reminded homemakers that “we set before you an ideal. How nearly you can approach this ideal, especially as to daily cleaning, we cannot know” I will remind you as well, that this is an ideal, it’s not what every homemaker was doing and you don’t have to do it all either.
Now with that bit out of the way let’s dive into the daily cleaning schedule.
Daily Cleaning Schedule Order of Tasks
- Open windows in the bedroom, except in completely air-conditioned houses.
- Throw back the bed covers, including the top sheet. (read why you should do that)
- Clear away dishes and clutter from the dining room or kitchen after breakfast.
- Rinse and stack dishes, if you have a dishwasher go ahead and put dishes into the dishwasher.
- Put away any food.
- Put the living room in order.
- Give all rooms regular daily cleaning in the following order:
– Living Room
– Second Living Room (family room, den, library, sun room, etc)
– Dining Room
– Bedrooms
– Bathrooms
– Upstairs Hall (if you have one)
– Stairs (if you have them)
– Downstairs Hall
– Kitchen (Before cleaning the kitchen, put away cleaning equipment except that is needed for the kitchen and carry out any food preparations needed for lunch or dinner.)
Daily Cleaning Tasks for Each Room
Now that we know the order in which we will be cleaning it’s important to know what tasks we need to do in each room.
I’m making this cleaning schedule more modern so things like cleaning ashtrays will be left off and I will be taking into account that our common cleaning equipment and changed. You will also notice all the rooms have pretty similar steps and tasks.
The Living Room
Because the living room is a shared space all that use the space should share in the responsibility for keeping up with clutter. It should be a liveable and comfortable space but school books and papers, toys, work, and other items should be cleared away when they are not being used.
- Open windows if there is no air conditioning (or you have it off).
- Pick up items that belong in the room but are not in their places and put them away.
- Gather items that don’t belong in the room on a tray or in a basket. Collect trash in the waste basket. And tend to any plants or flowers.
- Carry the tray or basket out of the room.
- Bring in cleaning equipment: vacuum, dust mop, cleaning basket, or any other supplies needed.
- Dust high objects if necessary.
- Brush upholstery if necessary, a more modern option would be to vacuum upholstery. Straight covers and plump-up pillows.
- Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes if they occur.
- Vacuum or dust mop the floor if necessary.
- Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Close windows if desired.
The Dining Room
If you eat in your dining room, something that was common in the 1940s but not as much now, you will want to sweep or vacuum up any crumbs after meals.
- Open windows if there is no air conditioning (or you have it off).
- Clear breakfast dishes from the table to a tray or tea wagon (can we bring those back?!). Pick up items that belong in the room but are not in their places and put them away.
- Gather up to take out articles that belong in other rooms. Also, tend to plants or flowers and collect trash in a waste basket.
- Carry out the tray or tea wagon.
- Bring in cleaning equipment: vacuum, dust mop, cleaning basket, or any other supplies needed.
- Dust high objects if necessary.
- Brush (or vacuum) upholstery, if any.
- Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes if they occur.
- Vacuum or dust mop the floor if necessary.
- Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Close windows if desired.
The Bedrooms
“The rooms where we sleep should be kept immaculately clean, sweet, and fresh at all times.” The book again says the family should be helping with this.
- Open windows if there is no air conditioning (or you have it off). This task should be done by the person occupying the room before breakfast.
- Thow back bed coverers, including top sheet. This is also to be done by the person occupying the room before breakfast.
- Pick up and replace small articles belonging to the room, such as books, slippers, etc…
- Gather up to take out articles that belong in other rooms. Collect trash in a waste basket.
- Bring in cleaning equipment: vacuum, dust mop, cleaning basket, or any other supplies needed.
- Make bed.
- Dust high objects if necessary.
- Brush (or vacuum) upholstery, if any. Straighten covers and plump up pillows.
- Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes if they occur.
- Vacuum or dust mop the floor if necessary.
- Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Close windows if desired.
The Bathrooms
“Each member of the family should share in the responsibility of keeping the bathroom in spotless condition – no soapy splotches left on the washbowl, no “bathtub ring,” no careless flinging about of a towel or washcloth to tell the tale of poor training or carelessness.”
They go on to suggest keeping a can of fine scouring powers, I’d recommend the vintage brand Bon Ami which is still made, a bathtub brush, and a cleaning cloth at hand in the bathroom. I still prefer these options to disposable but if necessary cleaning wipes can now be used. Grove Collaborative has a bathroom cleaning set that is perfect for this, it includes Bon Ami and a bathroom brush.
I also love their tip of having towels of different colors for each family member so everyone knows which towel is which and it’s clear if someone is not keeping up with their mess.
- Open windows if there is no air conditioning (or you have it off).
- Pick up and replace small articles belonging to the room.
- Gather up dirty towels (to hamper if dry) and articles that belong in other rooms. Gather trash in a waste basket. Roll up the bath mat or rug.
- Wipe the mirror.
- Wipe tile behind sink and tub.
- Clean bathtub and metal fixtures. Be sure to wipe the shower fixture and clean the soap holder.
- Clean the toilet bowl with a brush. Wipe the outside of the toilet with a cloth used for that purpose only.
- Clean the sink.
- Straighten towels and washcloths. Put out clean linen when needed. They recommend fresh linen for all on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor.
- Replace the bath mat or rug. Close windows if you have air conditioning or if it’s cold or damp.
The Halls and Stairs
It’s recommended you follow the same schedule as the living room for these spaces.
The Kitchen
Many tips are given for daily care of appliances but as they have changed so much I will leave those off and you will just want to care for yours as your manuals suggest.
- Open windows if there is no air conditioning (or you have it off).
- Rinse and stack dishes, pots, and pans.
- Check and reorganize food; put it away.
- Collect all trash and put it in the trash can.
- Wipe off the top of the refrigerator and all work surfaces in need of cleaning.
- Wash dishes.
- Wipe off the surface of the range. Clean spilled food from the drip pan or oven.
- Dry damp work surfaces.
- Take out garbage; put a clean trash bag in the trash can.
- Clean the sink. Rinse the dishcloth and hang it outdoors if possible.
- Collect dirty towels; wash. Hang fresh towels.
Looking at that list can be overwhelming but because it’s broken down so much each step will take very little time and if it’s kept up with it won’t take long. And don’t forget all the tasks other family members should be helping with, they live there as well.
There are many things in this schedule that I plan to add to mine. One that I have never thought of that I love is hanging the dishcloth outside. While I do replace mine every day this would also help keep it clean and everything smelling fresh between washing kitchen linens.
Airing out our homes is also something we do so rarely now. My husband and I both have pretty severe pollen allergies and we live in Oklahoma where there is always something blooming but I do try to watch for a cool day with low pollen counts to open things up. I love to do this right after a rain if the home isn’t too humid. This is a time when pollen is less likely to be in the air.
Free Printable 1940s Daily Cleaning Schedule
If you’d like to try this schedule I’ve created a printable version that you can print out to follow. It would pair well with the 1940s homemaking routine you can also find on the site. Simply sign up below and I’ll send you the schedule.
More Vintage Cleaning Resources
Looking for more vintage cleaning resources? I’ve got you covered!
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