Women
Women typically had a LOT of work to do. There were no real machines to help with any significant tasks. Let's take a look at one of the most hated tasks of the homemaker.
Laundry was the first task a woman would try to get rid of if she had extra money. She could either send it out to a laundress or laundry service, or she might hire a live in servant whose primary duty was to do the laundry. It was a terrible job because it took many hours to complete, spanning several days and there was no real way to skimp on the process. For example, it you didn't mend any tears before washing, the tear was sure to spread and ruin your clothes because of how tough the process was on clothing. It took great skill to complete it well. Soap had to be made; irons had to be kept perfectly clean in the fire; starch was made from potatoes, but would stain clothes if made improperly. It was very physically demanding as well. Water had to be hauled; wet clothes were constantly being lifted up; women's backs ached after being hunched over tubs all day. Weather could make it even more miserable. In the winter, it was messy and there were always wet clothes dripping all over the kitchen as they dried. In the summer, ironing was miserable and clothing often had to be boiled over hot fires to kill lice and other vermin.. |
Read about the process below, then complete the questions.
https://librarycompany.org/2017/08/28/white-clothing-and-victorian-laundry/
5. Create a step by step process of how to do laundry before the industrial revolution.
6. How long would it take women to complete a weeks worth of laundry?
https://librarycompany.org/2017/08/28/white-clothing-and-victorian-laundry/
5. Create a step by step process of how to do laundry before the industrial revolution.
6. How long would it take women to complete a weeks worth of laundry?