It’s easy to take everything that modern-day technology gives us for granted. But if you could take a peek into what everyday life looked like in Grandma’s day, that would definitely change. Let’s take a look back at the everyday responsibilities Grandma tackled that many of us have never had to think about.
Handwashing Laundry
Before washing machines became a household staple, doing laundry was a full-body workout. Grandma often had to scrub clothes by hand in a washboard basin, then wring them out manually before hanging them to dry. Today, we toss a load into the machine and go about our day, a luxury she could only dream of.
Ironing Everything
These days, wrinkle-free fabrics and busy schedules have made ironing less of a priority. But Grandma? She ironed everything, from bedsheets to handkerchiefs, to ensure everything looked neat and crisp. This task could take hours, especially with heavy irons that needed to be reheated on the stove.
Canning and Preserving Food
Grocery stores weren’t as accessible or well-stocked, so Grandma often relied on canning to keep food on the table year-round. It wasn’t just about saving money; it was about survival during the winter months when fresh produce wasn’t available. The effort involved in sterilizing jars and sealing them properly is something most of us wouldn’t know where to begin with today.
Beating Rugs Outside
Vacuum cleaners might be the norm now, but back in the day, cleaning a rug meant hauling it outside, hanging it over a sturdy line, and beating it with a rug beater. Grandma didn’t have the luxury of pressing a button for clean floors – this was the reality of keeping her home dirt-free.
Making Clothes
Fast fashion wasn’t an option for Grandma. When someone needed new clothes, she often made them herself. Sewing was a skill most women learned early, and they used patterns, fabric scraps, and a trusty sewing machine (or needle and thread) to create everything from dresses to curtains. Repairs and alterations were common too. Buying something new was a rare treat, not an everyday occurrence.
Darning Socks
Today, we toss out a sock the moment it gets a hole, but Grandma had a different approach. Darning socks was a standard part of maintaining her family’s wardrobe. Using a darning egg and some thread, she would carefully repair worn-out heels and toes, making them good as new.
Polishing Silverware
Special occasions often meant breaking out the good silverware, but it didn’t come sparkling on its own. Grandma regularly polished silverware to keep it shining and tarnish-free. It was a task that demanded plenty of elbow grease and the right cleaning solutions. Today, most of us don’t even own real silverware, let alone think about polishing it.
Making Soap
Store-bought soap wasn’t always an option, so Grandma sometimes made her own. Using ingredients like lye, fat, and essential oils, she would whip up bars of soap that were both practical and cost-effective. While it’s a trendy DIY hobby now, for Grandma, it was simply a necessity.
Keeping a Fire Going
Central heating is something we take for granted, but in Grandma’s time, keeping the house warm often meant managing a fire. If she had a wood stove or fireplace, she had to gather wood, build the fire, and keep it going throughout the day. It was a task that demanded constant attention, especially during the colder months.
Mending Bed Linens
If sheets or pillowcases got a tear, they weren’t replaced – they were mended. Grandma would patch up holes or re-sew hems to extend their life. In an age of disposable everything, this is a practice we rarely think about today.
Whitewashing Walls
Painting walls wasn’t as simple as picking up a gallon of paint and a roller. Back then, walls were often whitewashed, a labor-intensive process involving a mixture of lime and water. Grandma would scrub down the walls beforehand, then apply the whitewash herself, leaving the home looking fresh and clean.
Churning Butter
Butter wasn’t always something you picked up at the store. Grandma might have spent time churning cream by hand to make fresh butter for her family. It was a slow process that required patience and upper-arm strength, but the end result was worth it. The rich, homemade butter was a staple of her kitchen and a testament to her hard work.
Milking the Cow
If the family had livestock, milking the cow was a daily chore that couldn’t be skipped. This task often fell to the women of the household, and it required waking up early to ensure the milk was fresh. The process wasn’t glamorous, but it was essential for providing milk, cream, and cheese for the family.
Cleaning Lamps and Refilling Oil
Before electric lights became common, oil lamps were the main source of light in the evenings. Grandma had to clean the lamp chimneys regularly to keep them free of soot and refill them with oil to ensure they worked properly. This was one of those small but necessary tasks that kept the household running smoothly.
Hanging Laundry to Dry
Even after washing machines became a thing, dryers weren’t always part of the equation. Grandma hung every piece of clothing, towel, and bedsheet on a line to dry. This meant keeping an eye on the weather and sometimes racing to grab everything before a sudden rainstorm. Folding and putting everything away afterward added even more time to the process.
Brewing Homemade Cleaners
Store-bought cleaning products were a luxury, so Grandma often brewed her own. Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice were her go-to ingredients for tackling dirt and grime. She knew exactly how to mix and match these pantry staples to keep her home sparkling.
Scrubbing Floors by Hand
Forget mops and Swiffers – Grandma got down on her hands and knees to scrub the floors. This was no quick swipe with a wet cloth. She used a bucket of soapy water and plenty of elbow grease to make sure the floors were spotless.
Feeding Chickens
If Grandma lived on a farm or even had a small yard, raising chickens was often part of her daily routine. Feeding the flock and gathering eggs were tasks she took on without a second thought. Those fresh eggs were more than just food; they were part of the household economy.
Making Quilts
On top of everything else, Grandma often found time to quilt: a practical way to create warm, durable blankets for her family. Quilting required precision, patience, and creativity. The finished quilts weren’t just functional – they were works of art that told a story about her life and her family.
Growing and Maintaining a Garden
Before supermarkets were stocked with year-round produce, Grandma’s garden was a lifeline. She grew vegetables, herbs, and sometimes even fruit, tending to her plants daily. Weeding, watering, and harvesting were constant tasks, but the rewards were fresh, healthy food for the family.