Spit and Polish: Old-Fashioned Ways to Banish Dirt, Dust and Decay

by Lucy Lethbridge

In the late nineteenth century, general housework in the British home was so labour intensive that it required an army of servants to undertake it. Since then, the ways in which we look after our homes may have changed dramatically but the best and simplest of methods from that time still work for us today.From floor to ceiling, and leaving no awkward corner untouched, here are the tricks and techniques that generations once took for granted, distilled for modern how to get rid of water marks or heat rings on polished wood; the antibacterial qualities of simple vinegar; the damp cloth versus the dry duster; and using lemon juice to clear limescale. Combining fascinating 'below-stairs' social history with startling facts and useful tips, Lucy Lethbridge restores fast-disappearing skills to keep at bay dust, rust, mildew, stains and pests. Here, beautifully illustrated and entertainingly presented, are a bygone era's keys to a clean house.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

96 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Lucy Lethbridge has written numerous books, as well as writing articles for the Observer, the Sunday Telegraph, the Independent on Sunday, the Times Literary Supplement, Art News, and Art+Auction. She lives in London.

Reviews

[Jan1243]

A cute little book packed with info on the history of cleaning! Boy, do I have a lot to learn, especially since a clean house is not my reality, though I wish it were. Lots of tips and just interesting info. It’s back to the basics for me: lemons, vinegar, baking soda, and borax. And some good cloths and newspaper. And commitment!

[Bookworm Erica]

What a great and handy little book. I've saved many helpful hints

[Peter]

Supurb writing about cleaning methods of an age gone by incredibly absorbing reading.

Recommended.

[J]

great little book - history and cleaning - fascinating