20 Common Household Chores From The ’60s That Are Now Obsolete
The 1960s were a time of vibrant change and cultural transformation, but they also had their own unique set of household chores that seem quaint and outdated today.
Many of these tasks have disappeared thanks to technological advances and changing lifestyles.
Join me on a nostalgic journey as we explore 20 household chores from the ’60s that have now faded into obscurity, and perhaps you’ll find yourself chuckling at some of these once-common practices.
1. Ironing Everything
Once upon a time, ironing wasn’t just for shirts and pants; it extended to bed sheets, pillowcases, and even handkerchiefs! I remember my grandmother’s obsession with perfectly crisp linens.
She spent hours pressing every crease out of sheets, even though they’d wrinkle again soon after. It was a never-ending cycle of steam and spray starch in a battle against the inevitable wrinkles.
While it seemed like a Sisyphean task, it was an essential part of keeping a tidy home. Today, the trusty tumble dryer and wrinkle-free fabrics have largely put this chore to rest.
2. Polishing Silver
Silver was a status symbol, and polishing it was a meticulous task. My aunt had an entire cabinet filled with silver that needed constant attention. Every piece had to sparkle, especially before family gatherings.
The ritual involved special creams, cloths, and a lot of elbow grease. The irony was that after hours of polishing, the silver was too fancy for everyday use!
Now, with less emphasis on formal dining and more durable alternatives, silver polishing is a rare sight, making room for more leisure time.
3. Mowing Lawns with Push Mowers
Before gas-powered or electric mowers became the norm, lawns were trimmed with heavy manual push mowers that demanded real effort and stamina.
The rhythmic clatter of the spinning blades was a familiar weekend sound, as mowing the lawn was as much a workout as it was a chore.
Now, with self-propelled and robotic mowers, cutting the grass has transformed into a quick and effortless task, leaving the hard labor in the past.
4. Defrosting the Freezer
Back in the ’60s, freezers didn’t defrost themselves. Ice would build up like the Arctic, demanding regular intervention. My mom would plan an entire afternoon for this task.
She’d unplug the fridge, lay down towels, and chip away at the ice, while I was tasked with holding bowls of hot water. It felt like a scientific experiment gone wrong.
Today’s frost-free models have banished this frosty chore, leaving more time for enjoying chilled treats rather than battling icebergs.
5. Cleaning the Chimney
Chimneys once required regular cleaning to prevent soot build-up and potential fires, a task often handled by professional chimney sweeps.
It was a dirty, demanding job that involved climbing rooftops and navigating narrow spaces.
Today, with central heating and modern fireplaces, chimney cleaning has become far less common. The iconic image of a soot-covered sweep has mostly faded, replaced by more efficient and convenient heating systems in homes.
6. Washing Dishes by Hand
Dishwashers were a luxury that few could afford. Most households relied on manual dishwashing. I spent countless evenings at the sink, elbow-deep in soapy water with my sister.
It was a time for chatter, reflection, and sometimes sibling arguments. Unlike today, where a machine handles the dirty work, hand-washing dishes was a daily ritual.
Modern dishwashers have turned this into a rare task, allowing for more efficient use of time and fewer pruney fingers.
7. Beating Carpets
Vacuum cleaners existed, but they weren’t as common or effective. Beating carpets was an exhausting yet necessary chore.
I can picture my mom wrestling with a heavy rug, whacking it furiously with a carpet beater. Dust clouds would erupt, and she’d emerge victorious, albeit coughing and tired.
Nowadays, powerful vacuums and carpet cleaners have relegated this chore to history, sparing us from clouds of dust and sore muscles.
8. Starching Collars and Cuffs
Starched collars were once essential for a polished, well-dressed look. Achieving that crisp, stiff finish required soaking, drying, and carefully ironing them to perfection. It was a process that demanded both skill and patience.
Today, with permanent press fabrics and the rise of casual fashion, this labor-intensive task has become a thing of the past, giving way to a more relaxed and low-maintenance approach to style.
9. Cooking with Lard
Lard was once a kitchen staple, celebrated for the rich flavor and texture it brought to dishes.
It was used in everything from baking pies to frying chicken, filling homes with the unmistakable aroma of hearty cooking.
Over time, health trends and alternative oils have shifted lard into the background. Now, it’s more of a specialty ingredient, a nostalgic reminder of an era when taste reigned supreme in the kitchen.
10. Rolling Laundry
Before spin cycles, clothes were rolled through a mangle to squeeze out water. Watching my grandmother wrestle with this contraption was both impressive and amusing.
She’d feed linens through the rollers, and I’d catch them at the other end, trying not to get my fingers squished.
Thanks to modern washing machines and efficient spin-dry cycles, this laborious process is obsolete, leaving more time for leisurely pursuits than wrestling with wet laundry.
11. Rewinding Cassette Tapes
Music was precious, and cassette tapes were fragile. I’d spend hours rewinding tapes with a pencil to avoid wearing out the player’s motor.
It was both a frustrating and endearing ritual, as I tried to find just the right song on the mixtape.
Digital music has eliminated this chore. Today, playlists shuffle with a tap, but those pencil-rewinding sessions taught patience and provided a tangible connection to the music.
12. Using a Clothes Wringer
Before modern washing machines, doing laundry involved scrubbing clothes by hand and wringing them out with a hand-cranked wringer.
The rhythmic squeak of the wringer was a familiar sound, but the process was tough, often leaving hands sore and clothes tightly twisted.
Today, automatic washers have made this task a thing of the past. Laundry is now far easier, with the main effort focused on folding rather than wringing clothes dry.
13. Maintaining Coal-Fired Heating
Heating a home with coal was once a common winter routine, especially in colder regions. Shoveling coal into the furnace was a dusty, soot-filled task that ensured the house stayed warm through the freezing nights.
Today, central heating and cleaner energy sources have replaced this tradition, making coal heating a thing of the past, remembered mostly for the warmth it brought during simpler times.
14. Sewing and Darning Clothes
Clothing repair was a valuable skill, as buying new wasn’t always feasible. My grandmother was a whiz with a needle, patching holes and extending garment life.
Her sewing machine was as much a fixture as the television, and I’d watch in awe as she deftly mended everything from socks to shirts.
Today, fast fashion often makes repair seem unnecessary, and this skill, once essential, is now a charming reminder of thriftier times.
15. Delivering Milk
The milkman was a daily visitor, synonymous with fresh milk in glass bottles. Our milkman knew everyone, and his arrival was marked by the clinking of bottles.
As a child, I loved the creamy milk top, a treat before breakfast.
With supermarkets offering endless options and home delivery services, the milkman’s early morning rounds are a nostalgic memory, replaced by convenience and choice.
16. Typing on a Typewriter
Typewriters were once the backbone of offices, demanding both precision and patience. The steady clack of keys was a familiar sound, and every error required careful correction with fluid or even retyping the entire document.
It was a tool that left little room for mistakes but rewarded effort with crisp, tangible pages.
In today’s world of seamless digital technology, typing has become second nature, with instant editing at our fingertips.
The typewriter, once an office essential, is now a charming relic of the past, admired for its vintage appeal and connection to a slower, more deliberate era of communication.
17. Baking Bread from Scratch
Homemade bread was a staple, filling homes with its comforting aroma. My mom’s bread was legendary, kneaded by hand and baked to perfection.
I’d watch, fascinated, as she mixed ingredients, her hands covered in flour.
Today, bread machines and store-bought options mean fewer people bake from scratch, but those who do are rewarded with nostalgia and unrivaled flavors.
18. Hanging Laundry Outdoors
Before dryers became common, laundry was often hung outdoors to dry. Sheets and clothes would flap in the breeze, a sign that the chore was nearly complete.
The fresh, sun-kissed scent of air-dried laundry was unmatched, though unexpected rain could quickly turn the task into a hassle.
Today, modern dryers have made this process faster and more convenient, but the nostalgic charm of sun-dried clothes still holds a special place in many hearts.
19. Cleaning With Ammonia
Ammonia was a household cleaning staple, known for its harsh smell and powerful cleaning ability. My mother swore by it, though the fumes were eye-watering.
We’d open all the windows, turning the house into a wind tunnel during cleaning days.
Now, with gentler, multipurpose cleaners available, ammonia has taken a backseat, leaving behind memories of its unmistakable odor.
20. Using Rotary Phones
Dialing a number was an art form, requiring patience and precision. Our family phone, a sturdy rotary model, sat in the hallway, demanding attention.
Each spin of the dial was deliberate, leaving you time to think between numbers.
Smartphones have replaced this ritual with taps and swipes, but the tactile experience of a rotary phone remains an enduring symbol of simpler communication.