The Evolution of Housekeeping Tools & Chemicals

The best thing about hiring house cleaning services in Morrisville, NC, is getting a pristine home in no time. Professionals have years of experience, allowing them to tackle even the dirtiest areas routinely. They also have access to highly effective equipment and chemicals, but these supplies weren’t always around.

This begs the question – how did home upkeep look like before modern chemicals and tools? Let’s go on a quick trip through housekeeping history!

How did people clean before chemicals?

Modern home maintenance is worlds apart from the old ways, but there could be a few things in common. For instance, people may have had trouble getting their partners to help with housekeeping throughout history, not just today. They might have also had to use poorly-designed supplies that did more harm than good.

But what did they use to sanitize their homes when they didn’t have chemicals? Besides water, the only product people used was vinegar. Their homes were polished up, disinfected, and odor-free all at once.

When were cleaning products invented?

The first cleaning products were invented around 2800 BC by the ancient Babylonians. They combined water, wood ash, and animal fat, creating the world’s first soap inadvertently.

Other nations used similar recipes to form soap, with some adding oils to improve the efficiency of this product. This included the Ancient Romans and Greeks.

For thousands of years, soap used to be a luxury product, and countries often taxed it. When they made it more affordable, people had easier access to an effective cleaning product. In the middle of the 1800s, many scientists studied and enhanced soap chemistry. Its usage spread, and costs were further reduced.

At the end of this century, B.J. Johnson created the first liquid soap formula to revolutionize the cleaning industry. He combined olive oils with palm, and his mixture was an instant hit. It allowed homeowners to clean more easily and keep up with their hygiene demands.

Another event that increased the popularity of soap and liquid soap was the invention of the washing machine in the early 20th century. There were also a few advancements in the chemistry of these products, which eventually led to the creation of detergents. In fact, detergents became even more popular than soap after World War II.

Nowadays, most things you refer to as soap are detergents.

Although soap is the most important product ever created, modern cleaning wouldn’t be possible without the following equipment:

• Mop – Thomas W. Steward invented the mop in 1893. It was made of yarn and was quickly used for industrial and household cleaning.
• Vacuum – Huber Cecil Booth developed the first vacuum in London in 1901.
• Microfiber cloths – Little is known about the invention of microfiber cloth, but it’s certain that Swedes first marketed the item in 1990.
• Feather duster – Susan Hibbard developed the feather duster in 1876, paving the way for other women to patent inventions.
• Sponge – Otto Bayer created the first kitchen sponge in 1937.

How do you hire the best house cleaning services in Morrisville, NC? Just give us a call!

Keeping your Morrisville home dirt-free is hard. It’s an energy and time-consuming task. Plus, it’s hard to stay motivated to scrub for hours since there are better ways to spend your day, such as golfing at Prestonwood Country Club.

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice your free time to do housework. The professionals at Dust and Mop are eager to take over.  Give us a call, and our industrious maids will scour your home using effective tools made of durable materials. Tell us what areas you want us to place special emphasis on, like your bathroom or kitchen, and we’ll deliver a breathtaking service.

Book now!