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> Neither does cleaning, since we now expect everything to be cleaner. Modern vacuums, cleaning products, washer and dryer systems, modern storage containers,
by treehau5 10y ago
> Neither does cleaning, since we now expect everything to be cleaner.
Modern vacuums, cleaning products, washer and dryer systems, modern storage containers, the refridgerator, dusting products and filtration air condition systems all have made cleaning your house substantially easier.
- neaden 10y agoThe problem is before vacuums people didn't spend an hour a week cleaning their rugs by hand, they took them out a couple times a year to beat clean. People used to wear clothes more often between cleanings when it was more laborious to launder them. We began to shower every day. You can say these are Positional Goods and all about status, but unlike having a fancy car these are things you can't really opt out of. If you smell like the average person smelt in the 1930s you'll have a hard time fitting in at an office now.
- oli5679 10y agoThe fall in time spent doing cleaning, cooking and household chores since Keynes' death is well documented. http://research.sabanciuniv.edu/277/1/3011800000841.pdf http://research.sabanciuniv.edu/277/1/3011800000841.pdf "It took her 4 h to do a 38 lb load of laundry by hand, and then about 4·5 h to iron it using old-fashioned irons. By comparison it took 41 min to do a load of the laundry using electrical appliances and 1·75 h to iron it. The woman walked 3181 feet to do the laundry by hand, and only 332 feet with electrical equipment. She walked 3122 feet when ironing the old way, and 333 the new way"
- dasmoth 10y agoHow often did people do 38lb loads of laundry? The argument here is that we wear clothes fewer times between washing now, so laundry has dramatically increased.
- oli5679 10y agoI can't find good data on the topic but I'm sure it exists somewhere and would be confident that the the overall trend is a large reduction. Have a look at the female labour force participation rates in America and USA between 1900 and 2000. How are they compatible with households spending more time cleaning and cooking now than in 1900? As an alternative, ask old family members about the amount of time their mothers spent cooking, shopping and cleaning when they were growing up. Finally, look at time spent on Household chores in Mexico/Kenya vs USA.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- kevin_thibedeau 10y agoDon't wear shoes in the house and you won't have to vacuum weekly. The Japanese figured this out centuries ago.
- thaumasiotes 10y agoYou (and they) still have to sweep. The problem with spending time vacuuming is not that the vacuum isn't a broom.
- treehau5 10y agoYour vacuum cleaner doesn't work on bare floors, or doesn't have a bare floor attachment? May I suggest you consider an upgrade? I run my vacuum cleaner over my tile and my hardwoods. Sweeping is so....primitive. Sweeping the garage? No thanks, leaf blower.
- thaumasiotes 10y agoI really don't care about this. My entire point is that taking off your shoes at a home's entrance does nothing to prevent the need to clean the floor. Dust, food crumbs, and shed hair accumulate regardless.
- lovemenot 10y agoShoes are never worn in my house in Japan. Vacuuming is a more-than-weekly occurrence in the living room and at least bi-weekly in the bedrooms.