Most Gen Xers spent their youth doing things that aren’t so common anymore, whether that’s tinkering under the hood of their cars or dealing with small repairs around the house. Over time, those routines faded as technology & modern services became popular—younger people are missing out on a lot! Here are eleven forgotten life skills Gen X parents never passed down to their children. We’re not here to blame Gen X for doing so, but it’s a shame that the youngsters don’t have many of these skills.
Featured Image Credit: HayDmitriy /Depositphotos.com.
Tuning Up a Lawn Mower At Home
Basic maintenance on lawn mowers was easy for Gen X and they did it without calling a specialist—just remove the spark plug or sharpen the blade when needed. They’d do it once a year to keep everything running well during mowing season and some of them learned these steps from older relatives. But lawn care services and advanced machinery make the job less hands-on these days and lots of people never picked up those tips.
Checking A Car’s Fluids
Many Gen X drivers got used to opening the hood themselves and looking over oil levels & coolant—even looking at the transmission fluid was the norm for them! Looking after their cars was a regular job that kept engines running smoothly and helped them spot leaks early on. Over the years, car maintenance services became easier to access and so many kids never saw their parents do this step-by-step routine.
Creating a Basic Home Inventory
Gen X families remember making a simple list of valuables to keep track of items in case of theft or fire—they’d write down details like serial numbers, purchase dates & any warranty terms. They’d then store everything in a folder or binder, making for a practical way to handle insurance claims or replacements without scrambling at the last minute. But computers & cloud storage are more common now, so fewer kids saw their parents create these written records.
Doing Basic Home Appliance Troubleshooting
Any small problems with washing machines, dishwashers or refrigerators weren’t a big deal for Gen X parents because they’d solve them before picking up the phone for a repair service! They’d check hoses for leaks and clear clogs in filters—sometimes even reset a breaker switch—if something stopped working. However, as newer appliances grew more advanced, children stopped learning how to pinpoint minor fixes on their own.
Rolling Coins For Bank Deposits
Gen Xers turned spare change into organized bundles by using paper coin wrappers, which allowed them to sort pennies and quarters into their own piles. This way, each stack matched the exact count required for each roll and banks accepted these wrapped coins—the bank would give paper bills in return. Yet payment apps & coin-counting machines are so common now that younger people have missed out on doing such a job at the dining table after dinner.
Polishing Leather Shoes By Hand
Most Gen X parents learned to keep their leather shoes looking good by polishing them at home, using a soft cloth or a dedicated brush. Sometimes they used conditioner to prevent cracks and scuffs! They’d repeat this task as part of regular care, especially for work or special occasions, although the rise of synthetic materials & more casual footwear have killed off this life skill. Kids no longer learn this traditional approach to making leather items last longer.
Making An All-Purpose Household Cleaner
Anytime that Gen X needed to clean, they had simple cleaning formulas on hand that they’d made themselves from mixing household staples like vinegar, baking soda & water in a reusable spray bottle. It was a budget-friendly way to tidy up windows and floors without relying on expensive store-bought products. Some people still make it today but most of Gen X’s children would rather use commercial cleaners—they’re far more convenient.
Storing Garden Produce For Winter
Some Gen X households knew how to keep garden vegetables fresh throughout the colder months by storing them in cool, dark areas. They often used a root cellar or a special box lined with straw to protect their produce—they’d even have jars of homemade tomato sauce for easy pasta meals on chilly nights! Once supermarkets offered everything year-round, those techniques faded and many children never learned these practical ways to stretch a garden’s harvest.
Securing Loads With Knots And Ropes
It was the norm for Gen X to know how to tie down furniture or large items using ropes & a few well-chosen knots, which meant they could help relatives move across town without a problem. Even hauling camping gear was quite easy for them, although over time, bungee cords and easier transport options made this skill disappear. A lot of younger generations didn’t catch on to these rope-handling tricks that helped keep items safely secured for the ride.
Refinishing Wooden Furniture
Some Gen Xers learned to refinish a worn-out coffee table or dresser to bring it back to life, which usually meant sanding away the old stain & applying a fresh coat of finish in the backyard. Of course, it took a bit of elbow grease and an eye for detail—but it was cheaper than buying new furniture! It’s now easier to buy an entirely new item or pay someone else to fix it, which is why lots of people do that instead.
Rewiring a Basic Electrical Outlet
Small electrical fixes weren’t an issue for Gen Xers because they knew how to swap out a faulty outlet for themselves, which saved them a lot of money! It also meant they could handle minor projects without hiring an electrician—but stricter building codes and widespread professional services make this skill rather unnecessary these days. It’s a shame because kids often missed out on seeing this do-it-yourself approach to home safety.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.
