Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-12-01
Housecleaning Without Misery

Housecleaning Without Misery
We had this morning the pleasure
of brief call from one Mrs. Hurry
Things-Right-Along, very estima-
bic lady Of our acquaintance, but
somewhat peculiar in the manage
ment of her household affairs.
81 just drove over, Mrs. Glenn"
she said, "to see if you couldn't give
me bit of advice about my house
cleaning. do have such time OF
it! and husband and the boys always
get so cross and fretful before it is
over with, and that is worse than
even my own WEAKNESS and discom-
fort; but then you know the mascu-
lines never could see any reason in
the semi-annual commissions, but look
upon them only as an unreasonable
and senseless welding of mop and
broom for no other reason than a
malicious upsetting of their much
loved peace and quiet. what house.
cleaning again so soon?' is their in
variable exclamation twice a year.
Husband doesn't generally say much,
but he always puts on an injured air,
that's harder to contend against
than any words; and the boys de-
clare regularly every fall and spring
that it's worse than bedlam, and last
spring actually put a lopg.standing
threat into execution and betook
themselves to the tavern for board
and lodging. l couldn't so much
blame them either, for l got down
sick in the very midst of the confu-
sion and couldn't SO much as raise
my head from my pillow for nearly
a week, and no help to be obtained
for love or money, 'and all owing to
my poor management as husband
atterward encouragingly declared
thought this fall l would see if l
could get along any better or with
any less of the annoying confusion
of which the family complain SO
much, and knowing you never get
all at SKIES and sevens as we do at
our house, concluded to try to learn
your process. l have everything
well ready for a beginning, all the
carpets up, curtains down and stoves
moved out, and now if you'll tell me
where to begin and how to proceed
will go directly home and get to
work"
"Well, Mrs. H." I said, laughing
little at my neighbours idea of
readiness or preparation of work, eff
l were to advise you at all in this
matter, | should say, undo that
which you have done. Gohome and
put down your carpets and put up
your stoves and restore things as
nearly as possible to their normal
condition. Then having accomplish
ed the preparatory things I mention
toned IN my last paper, get out of
the way your weeks washing and
ironing, prepare bread,pies and cakes
for at least a week ahead, that in
case of sickness, company or other
unlooked-for- hindrance, you need
not be worried by thoughts thereof,
or obliged to get up in haste supplies
for the table when excessively weary.
If company should come, do not
trouble yourself over-much about the
edibles; give them such as you have
prepared tor your own family, and if
sensible people, whose regard is
worth retaining, they will feel far
more happy and contented than if
you set before them the richest re-
past and along with it a weary, har-
assed and fretted face. Now you
are ready for beginning. You
must not expect too easy or brief
task. House-cleaning is at best very
wearisome, but not necessarily the |
bleak, bare, uncomfortable state of
chaos so often made. Take one, or
at most two rooms IT a time.
usually make commencement with
closets and bed rooms. Thoroughly
cleanse it and restore to absolute or
der before disturbing so much as a
curtain or picture elsewhere. Next
the parlor and sitting-room; and if
you accomplish the former along
with what has already been mention
ed, at the end of the first week, it is
all you should expect. But get all
you have undertaken fully accom-
plished if possible. Then you don't
feel the burden of an uncomfortable
confusion, and you can rest peaceful
ly on the Sabbath without a thought
of the morrow. You should have so
previously arranged as to have little
washing and ironing On these house
cleaning weeks, particularly the Sec
ond one, when you are beginning to
grow very weary and the hardest of
the struggle is at hand, Wash, iron
and bake on Monday and Tuesday,
if you can accomplish so much with
out extra eXertion; but much de-
ponds upon your family and help.
"Now comes the sitting or family
room, and this is generally the har-
dest work Of the whole-so many de
licate things to be gotten out, large
and dusty carpets to shake and get
up and down, plants and vines to
care for, and bookcases and cup
boards to look to and set in ORDER
If you feel you can possibly afford it,
by all means provide yourself with
good help for few days, particular
ly if your mcnfolks are not at hand
to lift or carry, as the case may re-
quire. The family room in disor-
der is indeed chaotic! The walls
and windows, sleeveless and carpet
less-what could be bleaker or more
desolate? No wonder, husband and
boys get dispirited, particularly when
are added the weary frown and the
petulant word of the mother and
wife. Unless painting and paper
ing be found necessary, day or a
day and half, with good help,
should make all right again here
Then there is the kitchen, pantry
and store room, and if you can have
able help,you can go on and perhaps
finish up the last of the week, but
not otherwise. You must rest again