The ’80s was a time when household chores were scheduled, repetitive, and mandatory. Most families stuck to a weekly routine, and every member of the family knew what chores needed to be done, and when. Today, machines and changing lifestyles have quietly erased these routines.
Washing clothes by hand as a regular chore
Families never left certain clothes to the mercy of older machines. Collars, cuffs, socks and undergarments got special treatment, washed by hand with a soap bar and a washboard. This was hard and time consuming work, so many children were pressed into service. Efficient washing machines and gentle wash cycles have now made this weekly chore redundant.
Beating carpets and door mats outside
Vacuuming was uncommon, so families used to beat their mats and carpets outdoors, with sticks or metal rods. Big clouds of dust came off these pieces. Neighbors often beat their mats at the same time, making it a community sound ritual every week. Efficient, affordable vacuum cleaners and washable mats have made this chore easier.
Cleaning windows with newspaper
Old newspapers and water were a common solution for cleaning windows and mirrors. The newsprint absorbed grease without leaving streaks. The technique worked, but left ink on the fingers. Glass cleaners and microfiber cloths have now ended this old habit.
Ironing absolutely everything
Ironing was not an option. School uniforms, work clothes, pillowcases, tablecloths, towels and even handkerchiefs went through the iron once a week. A wrinkled shirt meant carelessness and negligence. Wrinkle-free fabrics and casual dress codes have reduced ironing to a bare minimum.
Polishing floors on hands and knees
Families manually scrubbed cement, tiles or wooden floors, using polish or homemade solutions. Hours could be spent on knees scrubbing, especially before festivals or guests. Modern mops, treated floors, floor cleaners and robotic devices have now replaced this backbreaking chore.
Cleaning ceiling fans regularly
Dusty ceiling fan blades were easy to spot and deemed unhygienic. Someone would climb a chair and wipe each blade carefully every week. Today, ceiling fans aren’t as popular and most fans go for months without cleaning.
Cleaning kerosene lamps and lanterns
Power cuts happened quite often, so families cleaned lamps, trimmed wicks and refilled kerosene weekly. They kept lamps always ready for lighting. Stable electricity and rechargeable lanterns have done away with this chore.
Boiling clothes to get rid of stains
White clothes went into big pots of boiling water to help stain removal and germ killing. This was a job done mostly outdoors, and needed constant supervision. Modern detergents and washing machines have now made boiling clothes a thing of the past.
Cleaning and caring for tape players and VCRs
Regular maintenance was needed for cassette players and VCRs. Families cleaned tape heads and carefully rewound tapes after use. This was to prevent audio-video problems. Streaming music and video has eliminated this chore completely.
Polishing brass, copper and steel items
Homes often had many brass and copper items; lamps, decorative plates, containers, utensils, and more. Someone had to regularly polish them to prevent dullness. Today, stainless steel and other modern finishes have eliminated the need for polishing brass and copper.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
