Home Economics Book Review

I put in a inter-library loan request when I saw this in the new book section on the library website.  Home Economics by Jennifer Mcknight Trontz is a compilation of information from the 1900 to 1940's. 

It is fascinating to see that most of ideas from the early 1900's is still applicable today.  The chapters are broken down into the following categories or chapters:

• Successful Economical Living
• Kitchen Arts and Sciences
• Care of Clothing and Textiles
• Management and Furnishing of the Home
• Leisurely Pursuits

Although this information is aimed at young wives on how to start a household in the 1900's, I believe that it is applicable to all people looking to find a compact glossary of what to do with every part of the home- our own Guide to Miss Manners.  It tells you the cuts of beef that are best for different types of cooking, how to set a table, and how to get out stains.  There are also some different information that is less applicable today like darning of fabrics and how to take care of  a sick person (and make milk toast).  It teaches people many things that you didn't learn from your parents (or mother) that was passed down through the generations previously.

Something that I talked about with a friend of mine just last week was trying to get a clean home without actually cleaning.  Sadly, it doesn't happen because unless you hire someone to do it.  Since I am a frugal homemaker, our family does the cleaning ourselves.  There is a chart on page 137 of the Plan of Household Work.  Hopefully this will be helpful in your pursuit of keeping your house clean (but you aren't going to catch me washing my windows every month).  I know that there are many other lists on blogs that might be a little more modern :)

To Do Everyday

• Straighten up and dust living room, dining room and bedroom
• Wash dishes, sink and stove
• Put away dishes
• Empty waste baskets
• Straighten up kitchen cupboards
• Make beds
• Sweep kitchen
• Empty garbage

To Do Twice A Week

• Clean kitchen and bathroom thoroughly
• Evaluate refrigerator and cupboards for shopping needs
• Sweep outdoor porches and walkways

To Do Once A Week

• Launder, iron, and put away clothes
• Clean living room, dining room, bedrooms, and hall thoroughly
• Clean laundry and basement
• Change bed linens

To Do Once A Month (or more often)

• Clean kitchen and dining room cupboards or buffet
• Wash windows (more often if the air is sooty)
• Wash mirrors
• Polish silver or plate
• Polish brass candlesticks or other articles
• Wash piano keys
• Clean dresser drawers

To Do Every Six Months

• Wash or clean woodwork
• Brush or Dryclean draperies
• Wash painted walls

To Do Once A Year

• Clean papered walls with wallpaper cleaner
• Beat carpets or large rugs

This is one of many lists in the book that are truly interesting and makes you think.  There is another chart about making homemade cleaners and meal planning.  The funny pictures and quotes are enough to make you laugh your way through the book.

I found it to be an interesting read and I would recommend it to anyone to read (mostly aimed at women since men had no duties in the house at that time).  Please check it out at your local library or bookstore.  Let me know what you think!