Modern Cleaning vs. Traditional Methods: Innovations That Simplify Life

Modern Cleaning vs. The Past: Innovations for Easier Living

September 17, 2024

The art of cleaning has improved significantly over the past few decades. In the past, it took a lot of effort to clean using handmade tools and homemade cleaning solutions. As modern manufacturing techniques had not yet been innovated, people were restricted to the materials they had available.

Let's take a look at a few specific ways that technology has revolutionized the art of cleaning by making it faster and easier.

The Transformation of Cleaning Tools

The Past Cleaning Tools

In the past, cleaning tools were made out of available materials due to the lack of modern manufacturing. These often included wood, straw, animal fibres, or repurposed fabrics, among others.

Household brooms for sweeping dirt, garbage, or other debris off of floors were made from bundles of straw or twigs tied together. From large cities to small towns, these items were almost always handmade.

Scrub brushes made of plant or animal fibres (like straw or bristles, respectively) could easily be found in many homes. Some were made for scrubbing floors, some for dishes, and still others for laundry, but they all wore down over time.

As another example, cloth rags weren't originally created specifically for wiping up surfaces, cleaning windows, polishing, or other tasks for which we use them today. Instead, they were created by tearing portions of linens or old, damaged clothes.

Today's Cleaning Tools

Thankfully, technology revolutionized the process and brought about modern cleaning, which is faster, easier, and more efficient. Tools like vacuums and steam cleaners make it possible to finish household chores in minutes, not hours. They save time and reduce the amount of strain and effort required.

At the flick of a switch, a Roomba or other robotic vacuum cleaner can clean any floor in the house on its own without you having to scrub, wash, or rinse. Handheld/mop-style steam cleaners use high-temperature steam to clean surfaces without harsh chemicals, saving money on cleaning solutions.

Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers save an incredible amount of time over washing by hand. They're quieter, require less water, and have sanitizing cycles built-in to reduce bacteria or other contaminants that can cause serious illness.

The Evolution of Cleaning Agents

Historical Cleaning Agents

Before commercial cleaning products like Dawn dish soap or Clorox Bleach were invented, each household had to create its own, generally using basic ingredients. These cleaning solutions worked well (although not as well as modern commercial cleaning supplies, of course), but they required harsh chemicals and took time to synthesize.

Lye soap combined animal fat and wood ash to clean laundry, floors, surfaces, and dishes, among other things. Although effective, fabrics were easily damaged, and the mixture was harsh on the skin.

Salt and vinegar weren't just for potato chips! For years, they were mixed to scrub stains and clean surfaces like metal cookware—the abrasiveness of the salt and the acidity of the vinegar combined for a powerful cleaning solution.

Baking soda, a mild abrasive, was used to clean bathroom surfaces like sinks, bathtubs, and other surfaces, plus those in other rooms. It removed stains gently and effectively while preventing odours.

The secret to cleaning metal for many years involved mixing water and fireplace ash to create polish. After the residue was removed, the beautiful shine of the metal rang out once again.

Modern Cleaning Agents

In addition to improvements in the manufacturing process, potential health impacts and environmental concerns have also influenced how cleaning products are made. Healthier, safer chemicals are more popular today.

Consumers also have more choices, like being able to pick between bleach or ammonia-based products. These powerful solutions can disinfect surfaces by killing bacteria or viruses and, thanks to improved formulations, are safer and less corrosive.

They can also choose eco-friendly cleaners that are non-toxic and can sometimes be plant-based. These prioritize health and sustainability. Even those not labelled as eco-friendly are made out of biodegradable ingredients and have fewer "forever chemicals."

Microfiber cloths trap dust without using any chemicals. They can be used effectively and efficiently with even the mildest of cleaners or, in some cases, just water. They can also easily be reused due to advancements in technology that make them more durable, more absorbent, and more cost-effective than in years past.

Time and Convenience in Cleaning

The Past Cleaning Process

In the past, cleaning required a lot more time and effort than it does now. Some high-intensity projects took entire days to complete. Before the glorious advent of indoor plumbing, many of these tasks had to be completed outdoors or at communal locations.

Consider the effort required to wash a load of clothes: Water was brought from a distant source, like the local well. It was used and reused for multiple cleaning tasks due to the difficulty of getting water in the first place.

The clothes would be soaked in water, heavily scrubbed on a washboard, rinsed, and dried. More than one person would often be involved, as it was an all-day process that required strength for all the scrubbing.

Floors were cleaned using small brushes by a person on their hands and knees. Cast iron, when used, had to be heated and often reheated on the stove, plus all the physical effort involved.

As for carpets, they were hung over fences, clotheslines, or trees and beaten to remove dust and dirt, which was physically exhausting, especially with multiple carpets or rugs.

The Convenience of Cleaning Today

Modern cleaning tools are constructed with one simple goal: reducing the time and effort required for cleaning. Appliances like dishwashers and devices like Roombas are constantly improving and adding new features, making it easier to maintain a home.

Smart devices also reduce headaches as many are designed to allow the user to automate cleaning, like scheduling a robot vacuum to clean the kitchen floor at exactly 11:38 AM every morning.

Many of these vacuums use other advanced cleaning technologies as well, like HEPA filters that trap allergens and improve the quality of the air around us. Other types of technology can include self-maintenance, like a self-cleaning oven or high-efficiency dishwashers.

Technology also makes it easier to schedule an appointment with a professional house cleaning service. Instead of making a phone call or trying to find time in your schedule to book an appointment in person, you can schedule an appointment online.

Modern Cleaning Is Easier Than The Past

The knowledge of how things were done in the past truly helps illustrate how modern technology and conveniences have improved even the simplest cleaning processes. It also shows us how easy it is to take these things for granted.

Not only have modern cleaning tools, and environmentally-conscious agents made the cleaning process easier, but they've also made it significantly healthier by reducing the number of harsh chemicals and dangerous mixtures required in the past.

Smart devices like the Roomba have significantly reduced the amount of manual labour required when completing household chores. This saves countless people from repetitive strain injuries and similar conditions.

What does the future of cleaning hold? No one knows for sure, but it's a safe bet that things will look as radically different in 100 years as the modern day does 100 years ago.

Experience the Convenience of Modern Cleaning with Luxoclean

As we've seen, modern cleaning has dramatically improved the way we clean our homes. But with today's busy schedules, we've lost the convenience of time to clean regularly. That's where Luxoclean comes in. Our professional cleaning services use modern cleaning tools and eco-friendly products to keep your home clean. Contact us today or use our website to schedule a cleaning service and experience the convenience of modern cleaning firsthand.