The Cleaning Basket

Before you can start cleaning your house properly, you need a cleaning basket. Now, obviously, the cleaning basket is just part of the vintage cleaning closet. The closet also contains other essential equipment and materials. But the cleaning basket is a real timesaver, and one of those vintage housekeeping secrets that helps the ’40s housewife to get it all done!

Image from Americas Housekeeping Book 1941

"The cleaning basket keeps the housewife from having to run back and forth to the cleaning closet, saving time and energy! Along with a cleaning apron, and a large tray or basket for removing misplaced items from rooms, the cleaning basket makes it easy to get things done in an hour or so every day.

"An open basket, about 12″ x 10″, and 8″ deep, makes an excellent cleaning basket. It can be fitted with an oilcloth organizer lining, to keep it neat and easy to clean.

A small inexpensive open market basket with a handle makes an excellent cleaning basket which can be carried from room to room quite easily. We find that a box or basket measuring 12 inches long, 10 '/2 inches wide and 8 inches deep is large enough to hold the articles listed below.

A fitted oilcloth lining with pockets to hold small objects is easy to make, and helps to keep the basket in order.

With a cleaning basket, there will be no need for hurried trips back to the source of supply for forgotten items. Check the contents with the following list before you start your cleaning program."

CONTENTS OF THE CLEANING BASKET

Whisk broom or upholstery brush — for brushing drapery and upholstery
Small soft brush — for dusting carving, etc.
1 treated dust cloth — for daily dusting
2 cheesecloth squares — for washing and drying woodwork
Cotton waste — for applying polishes and cleansers
1 flannel polishing cloth — for rubbing and polishing
1 cellulose sponge — for washing woodwork, walls, etc.
Art-gum eraser — for removing soiled spots from walls or lampshades
Wallpaper cleaner — dough-type works well
Furniture polish, lemon oil, or furniture wax
Mild scouring powder
Paint cleaner
Carbon tetrachloride...which I dont use
Oil of peppermint... I dont use
Scissors

I also add

White Vinegar

Glass Cleaner

And that’s the cleaning basket! Just don’t forget that there are some newer, safer cleaners that you may want to use... especially instead of carbon tetrachloride.

Adapted from Americas Housekeeping Book 1941

With  Much Love

Mrs  D. x