Our Experience in House-Cleaning

By Katharine S. Williams

This article, "Our Experience in House-Cleaning," by author Katharine S. Williams, appearing in the January 1862 issue of The Knickerbocker magazine, describes a 19th century experience of house remodeling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Full Well Ventures
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9788835389866

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Our Experience in House-Cleaning

© 2020 Full Well Ventures

Originally published in January 1862 issue of The Knickerbocker magazine

KNICKERBOCKER

Our Experience in House-Cleaning

by Katharine S. Williams

I MAKE NO apology for the homely nature of my subject, since I can venture to assert, that during the proper season, it takes precedence of all others in the feminine mind; and even forces itself to a degree upon the notice of the lords of creation.

It was the beginning of April; the weather was clear, sunshiny, and cool; just the sort to make the carpets look dusty, the paint soiled, and to fill every housewifely heart with longings to get at ‘cleaning.’

One Saturday, I remarked to my good man, that paint and paper for our sitting room were absolutely necessary, and that he had better engage someone, as soon as convenient, to put them on. John is prompt and energetic; he announced at the tea table that he had two men promised for Monday morning, who would paint not only the sitting room, but the whole of the house, inside and out.

Sister Ann — she is John’s sister, and lives with us — looked at me a little in dismay at this large method of proceeding, but we were soon convinced that it was an excellent arrangement. Just a single ‘coat’ on the outside of the house, said my husband, to preserve the paint which was getting a trifle chalky — and within doors we should be so fresh and nice for summer. It would be only a short job; a week or ten days at farthest.

Thoughts of the expected improvement intruded a little even