Smart Housekeeping E-Book

Rupa Chatterjee

• Herausgeber: V&S Publishers
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 706

Beschreibung

a well managed home is a mirror of a good housewife's personality

Leseprobe

Published by:

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05730-1-3

DISCLAIMER

While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.

All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.

Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.

It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.

Contents

Preface

1. Home Management

—A Necessity

Organising the Household

Types of Houses

What Our Home Says About Us

Time Management

Organising Household Chores

Chores for the Day

Weekly Chores

Monthly Chores

Maintaining the Household Records

2. Cleaning the House and its Security

Self Help

Domestic Help

Types of Cleaning Tools

Maintaining the Walls

Maintaining the Floors

Maintaining Tiles

Cleaning Carpets

Removing Spots from Rugs

Cleaning Curtains/Blinds

Maintaining Upholstery

Polishing Silver

Furniture

Appliances

Cleaning Light Fixtures

Handling Domestic Garbage

Household Hints

Problem of Household Pests

Using Pesticides

Security

Personal Safety and Security Measures

Making Doors and Windows Foolproof

The Use of Manpower

Security Check of Domestic Help

Safety Guidelines

Safeguard Against Purse Snatching

Types of Alarms

Safety Lock

3. Maintaining the House

The Exterior

The Interior

Care for Your Appliances

The Kitchen

The Bathroom

4. How to Wash, Iron and Maintain Clothes

Handwashing

Washing in the Machine

Starching

Types of Materials and Their Requirements

Stain Removal—A Guideline

How to Keep or Store Your Garments

Ironing

Home Crafts

Embroidery Threads

5. The Household Budget

Tracking One’s Money

Living Within the Budget

Organisational Aids

The Value of Making Lists

Simple Hints to Economical Buying

Shopping for Foods

How can the Housewife be Certain that She is Buying the Correct Quality?

How to Select Vegetables

How to Select Fruits

Storing Vegetables and Fruits

Shopping for Electrical Appliances

Save Energy to Better Your Budget

Tips on Energy Conservation

How to Buy a Mattress

How to Buy a Carpet

Setting up and Maintaining Bank Accounts

Procedure for Opening a Bank Account

Types of Cheques

Some Banking Tips

Credit Cards

Safe Deposit Lockers

Nomination

Wills

6. A Guide to Home Decor

Some Tips About Vaastu

What Decoration Achieves!

The Importance of Having a Neat Entrance

The Drawing Room or Living Room

The Dining Room or Dining Area

The Bed Room

The Children’s Room

The Guest Room

The Study

The Utility Room or Store Room

Storage Ideas

7. Etiquette for All Occasions

Marriage Festivities

Paying Condolence

Anniversaries

Correct Telephone Manners

Entertaining Successfully

Arranging a Party

Sending Invitations

Planning the Menu

Table Settings/Crockery

Laying the Table

Buffet Settings

Table Service

Etiquette at the Table

Different Kinds of Parties

Picnics

Proper Social Attitudes

Etiquette for Children

Miscellaneous Hints

20 Things You Must not Do!

8. Health & Nutrition

The Weather and Health

Food, Dieting, Anorexia and Bulimia

Exercise and Good Health

Health Check-Ups

Investigations

Good Health and Water

Constipation

How Yoga Fights Stress

Breathing Correctly

Sleep and Sleeping Disorders

Sleep Well-Hazards to Our Health

Hazards to Our Health from Pollution

Health Effects

Food and Nutrition

Storing Food

How to Buy Medicines Over the Counter

Menu Making for Daily Meals

Menu Making for a Party/Party Cooking

Health Watch

9. First Aid

Work, Emotions and Mental Health

Caring for the Sick

Alternative Therapy

Home Remedies

First Aid

Shock

Asphyxia

Colour Therapy

Food Poisoning

Foods that Will Fight Cancer

Water

10. Making a Home Happy!

Be Happy, Be Positive

Tips on Positive Thinking

Laughter Banishes the Blues

Adjustment is Necessary

Patience is a Virtue

Tidiness is a Must

Anger—A Volatile Emotion

The Power of Love

The Power of Communication

The Theory of ‘Instant’

Curbing Materialistic Values

Don’t Neglect the Children

Doing one’s Duty-Caring for the Aged

How to Make Friends

Home and Family as the Basic Unit of Society

What About the Position of Women?

Be a Good Member of Society

11. Travel and Transfers

Choosing A Destination

Advance Planning and Its Benefts

Travelling by Car

Packing Correctly

Emergency Travel Kit

Arrangements to be Made Before Leaving for a Holiday

Tips About Foreign Travel

What Happens When You’re Jet-lagged?

Coping with Transfers

Packing Materials

Transporting Luggage

12. Personal Grooming

Exercise

Calories

Massage

Good Posture

Skin Care

Facial

Hair

Make-up

Clothes and Jewellery

Know Your Body Type

Fashion and You

Colour Aesthetics and You

Men

Summer Clothes

Chiffon

Jewellery

13. Gardening

The Soil

Planting Trees

Maintenance of Your Lawns

Fruit Garden

Growing Vegetables

Flowers

Chrysanthemum

Different Types of Pots

Manures

Calendar for Monthwise Gardening

14. Home Crafts

Knitting

Macrame

15. Flowers in the Home

Vases

Japanese Flower Arrangement and its Requirements

Utensils

Indoor Plants

What Flowers Say

16. Interpersonal Relationships

Pleasing One’s Spouse

Helpline for Students

For Parents

Handling Teenagers

Handy Tips

Avoid being…

Coping with Mother-in-Law

Handy Tips

Coping with Daughters-in-Law

Handy Tips

Coping with Sons-in-Law

Son-in-law should

Parents-in-law

Bonding with Grandchildren

The Pitfalls of Being Grandparents

Grandchildren—do’s and don’ts

Relations with Neighbours

Preface

Management has become a key element of modern life. Whether in office or factories, commercial businesses or the hotel industry, systems have been developed to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of any organization. Since this is so, why should the home which is the first and primary unit of organization be left behind? There is a need to organize the home front so that we are able to function efficiently when we step outside its doors.

Why should the home, which is the primary and most important unit of society be left outside its purview? If men, women and children are to reach their work place and schools or colleges on time, they need to be properly clothed, fed and rested in order to perform effectively. Since modern life proceeds at an unrelenting pace and time is a precious commodity, there is a need to systematize our activities.

For centuries, the role played by the homemaker—wife, mother and housewife has not been adequately appreciated. This job receives no monetary remuneration, there are no prescribed working hours and often the housewife downplays her role by saying, “I am just a housewife”. This is a sad spillover from the success-driven, money chasing Western norms that are invading our society. In keeping society healthy, happy, well-nourished and balanced, the home manager and home management plays a pivotal role, since she is called upon to be a chef, a financial wizard, an interior decorator, a doctor, a nurse, a psychologist, a wife, mother, daughter-in-law, friend and social worker—all rolled into one!

I strongly believe that the homemaker/ housewife plays an invaluable role. For example, the child or teenager who is given nutritious and lovingly prepared food at home, will not be forced to live on a diet of fast food which leads to obesity and also malnutrition on account of the empty calories present in the food. In fact, Dr. Jyoti Sharma in an article entitled “Straight To His Stomach” published in the September 2000 issue of “Woman’s Era” magazine goes so far as to say, “What ails Western society is lack of cooking skills” as she noticed that in Frankfurt, Germany, …”women do not cook there. They survive on canned food, or they buy fast food.”

There is much more to home management than cooking although this is undoubtedly an important ingredient in building up a happy home. I have tried to touch upon all aspects that contribute towards the running of a household, which unlike an office is a twenty-four hour, endless assignment. The cycle of cooking-cleaning-washing clothes-washing dishes-ironing clothes-putting them away is never ending. In order to eliminate the twin phrases of ‘harried’ and ‘harum scarum’ housewife, I have tried to introduce systems into every sphere of housekeeping so that the house runs efficiently.

I hope this book will be of practical use to both young girls who are expecting to set up house, as well as to experienced homemakers who may also find some of the information innovative. I also hope that this volume will bring a greater understanding and respect for the many hours of continuous hard work that goes into the running of a well-managed household.

—Rupa ChatterjeeJuly 1, 2001

Chapter 1

Home Management A Necessity

If management is the key to modern life, why should the home and household be left behind? As modern life hurtles along at an unrelenting pace, people find that they have endless chores to be done, but hardly any time to do them. Moreover, there is no longer a clear division between men and women into breadwinners and homemakers.

There are many types of households today—there may be a traditional household, a double income household, a nuclear household, a modern joint family, a traditional joint family, a single person household or a single parent household. However, the bottom line in all these set-ups remains the same—the house or household has to be managed and all activities have to be organised in a systematic way if the members are to lead happy and efficient lives. Household work is of an unending nature—meals have to be prepared, clothes and dishes have to be washed, shopping done, milk, water have to be boiled and beds made. Once the chores are done, the cycle starts again, with the chores being done once or even several times a day. In those households where there are servants, things may function more effortlessly, but it nevertheless devolves on the housewife to streamline all activities into an efficient system so that all members of the household function effectively. How can one go to office or school without meals being cooked and eaten, clothes washed and ironed, beds made and adequate rest taken in congenial environment? Some one, therefore, has to manage the home, whether it is in a remote village, a small town, a metropolis or amidst palatial surroundings. Budgets and needs may vary, food habits may differ but the necessity for home management cannot be denied. In an increasingly systems-oriented world, there is today a need to understand and appreciate the value of home management. What is unique about household management is that all chores have to be done so routinely and repetitively, that there is little appreciation for all the planning and hard work that has preceded the smooth functioning. Only when there are no meals, no clean clothes, and no well-maintained household that one realises the chaos that results from a disorganised home. Hence, home management is essential to ensure a smooth and well run household in which all members are able to function efficiently outside the home.

Organising the Household

Having pervaded every sphere of modern life, the home cannot get exempted from the purview of management. Every housewife is a manager in an unpaid, unofficial capacity and irrespective of whether the setting is rural or urban, it is evident that every household has a domestic management routine. For example, a housewife in rural India would count getting water from the well, milking the cows and lighting the “chullah” as part of her early morning chores. The urban housewife on the other hand, may just have to press a switch to start the water pump and turn a knob to light the gas to start cooking. While the chores may differ, it is nevertheless necessary for the home maker to organise the household into a certain routine in which the essential chores fall into a systematic pattern.

Organising the household entails not only systematising different chores but also ensuring the cooperation of all family members and the domestic help, if any. By seeking the participation of the whole family there would be a joint effort towards the common goal of having a happy home in which all members find contentment and peace of mind.

The household should be organised in a fexible way so that all exigencies are taken care of. For example, a fixed cleaning schedule should not be placed above the needs of a family member who may be unwell and hence in need of extra sleep to make up for a disturbed night. Organisation should not be equated with rigidity and infexibility.

Management of the household depends upon the type of house you own, the time you have and the will to carry out the affairs efficiently.

Types of Houses

Ever since civilization began, human beings have tried to live in a sheltered abode. From the ancient to the modern times man has striven to make his abode into a place of shelter, comfort and beauty. Starting from the cave paintings of Ajanta-Ellora to the fabulous gem studded palaces of royalty, there has been a constant endeavour for man to live amidst beautiful surroundings. Even villagers living in mud-huts decorate their walls with paintings so that they look attractive.

Today one lives either in a bungalow or increasingly, in a fat or apartment in a high rise building. Fortune smiles only on a few lucky ones who live in farm houses, independent houses, castles and palaces. For the general public one can at best aspire to own an apartment, hopefully a spacious one.

The type of house required differs from person to person and on one’s circumstances as well as one’s economic status. A family which is growing requires more space, whereas a single person or an elderly couple would find it burdensome to maintain a huge apartment or even a bungalow.

Therefore, in choosing a house or flat, individual’s requirements, budget constraints, and the place or city in which one is living, plays a critical role in the selection of a fat or apartment.

What Our Home Says About Us

Interiors—we make them, and they make us. They shape our spirit, pushing us towards comfort or austerity.

Anyone who’s ever trailed from door to door in the most anonymous block of fats will have noted the very individual smell that comes from each human burrow.

A home doesn’t invariably reveal someone’s job, though actors and artists often have rather self-conscious interiors (sometimes self-consciously conven tional) as if they’re on display, even to themselves; and pop and football stars’ homes are instantly recognisable—awards glinting in gilt-encrusted settings which display money earned beyond their owners’ wildest dreams.

Our interiors say a lot about the way we see the world. Researchers believe people are oriented in one of three ways: visually, audially, or kinetically (which means feelingly).

A “visual” focuses his or her room very clearly round an object, the fre-place, perhaps, or the TV; an “audial” has radios or hi-f in most rooms, displays objects as “talking points” and creates areas for easy communication. “Kinetics”, on the other hand, spread themselves and their belongings over comfortable sofas and soft carpets.

Home, as the saying goes, is where the heart is. And it’s certainly where most of our treasures are kept—and most of our dreams, too. For, in the creation of our modest palaces, most of us are in a way, trying to fulfil a dream. Most of us tread softly when first we enter a home, exclaiming pleasantly over this light or that mirror, however banal or ugly it may seem in truth. We do this because we know how vulnerable the owner is—how their house is a subtle blend of what they are and what they hope to be, and they are offering this to us if only we have eyes to see.

Utilising space effectively

In modern life two things are at premium— time and space, hence both must be used effectively so that there is no wastage. The best way to utilise space effectively is to follow the motto—”a place for everything and everything in its place”. In some duplex fats or double-storeyed houses, the space below the stairs can be effectively utilised for storage. The top of cupboards can be used for storing empty suitcases, while beds could have drawers in which linen or mattresses can be placed. In a small fat it is best to keep things to a minimum so that there is no clutter. Storage units and cupboards should be neatly lined with newspaper, brown paper or coloured paper and crockery, clothing, books arranged neatly so that essentials are within one’s reach.

If the house is a shelter consisting of walls, floors, doors, windows and a roof under which human beings live, a home is a house in which a family or even an individual enjoys happiness, privacy, good health, ease and comfort. It is also a place where one entertains, has social interaction and indulges in one’s hobbies. A home is one’s sanctum sanctorum where one can relax, meditate and pray. If one builds one’s own house then that becomes, in our country, a life time investment unlike in the west where people buy and sell houses frequently. Those who purchase their own apartment or buy a readymade house have to accept, for the greater part, the built-in infrastructure. Those who build their own house or those who acquire fats/ houses in a modular state can put in fttings according to their taste and requirement such as the bathroom and kitchen tiling, the placement of storage cupboards and lofts, electrical fttings and so on. If one is fortunate enough to build one’s own house, then with the help of an architect it could be designed to suit the needs of the family as well as to take full advantage of Nature in the sense that the sun, the wind, the aspect and the view are taken into consideration during construction. If it is bright, cheerful and airy, it would certainly guarantee that the owners would enjoy living in it. Perhaps the single most important element in the design of a small compact house or an apartment is the feeling of openness and space and the efficient use of this space. Proper orientation or the setting or facing of the plan of a building ensures that the inhabitants enjoy to the utmost whatever is good and avoid whatever is bad in respect of comfort and the normal elements such as the sun, wind, rain, topography and outlook and at the same time it provides a convenient access to both street and backyard.

While in most western countries, an aspect which gives the maximum sunshine is preferred as in these latitudes the sun never goes overhead, being always to the south of the zenith. The requirement in India and other tropical countries is exactly the opposite. The sun’s heat in tropical countries must be kept to a minimum, particularly in summer when its rays are vertically overhead. The purpose of proper orientation is that the house or fat must be protected from the sun’s direct rays during the day and from indirect heat during the night. The sun’s action in causing heat is mostly direct by day but by night it is entirely indirect since the stone, brick or tiles of which the walls are made, absorb the sun’s heat by day and radiate this heat at night. While doing so, the air in contact with them is heated, which is the real cause of discomfort during night. Thus, proper orientation must ensure that the house is protected both from the sun’s direct heat by day and the indirect one at night.

The total heat absorbed depends on two factors, namely the intensity of the heat and its duration. The main aim of proper orientation is to admit the required amount of sunshine into the house in the morning when it is very pleasant and the intensity of its heat is less, and to minimise its duration in the afternoon and evening when its rays are again likely to enter the house. While the sun’s rays are potent enough to kill germs, severe heat is not necessary for this purpose. The morning sun is satisfactory for this purpose so it is necessary that a certain amount of sun enters the house but it should be “shut out” when it becomes warmer. Merely closing down the windows for this purpose is not practical because the walls will still become heated and then radiation will make the rooms on that side quite uncomfortable. Hence, the building must be faced in such a way that the sun’s rays will be effectively excluded without closing the windows in the late hours of the morning, especially in summer. If a certain amount of sunlight is allowed to penetrate into the house in the early morning, it is bound to do so also for a few hours in the late evening on the opposite side as well. Deep verandahs or sunshades in the south and the west would effectually exclude these strong evening rays.

The direction of the prevailing wind, especially in summer is between the west and the south but the exact angle depends on a number of local influences. Therefore, bedrooms, for example which are occupied at night must be located in its direction.

While a number of varying factors affect the consideration of planning a domestic building, no hard and fast rules can be laid down as no two sites would have identical conditions nor would individual requirements and idiosyncrasies be the same. Nevertheless certain features are common in the planning of buildings of all categories intended for use as residential accommodation. Among these are the above mentioned—aspect, privacy, grouping, spaciousness, sanitation, fexibility, circulation, practical considerations and furniture requirements. The shape of the plan is governed by the confguration of the building plot and its nature whether compact and closed or extended and open, and influenced by the local climatic factors. Where the climate is very cold, such as in Shimla, the plan should be closed and compact. Similarly, in the plains where it is very hot such as in Allahabad, the extreme heat in summer makes it mandatory to design a house with one or two central lofty apartments, ventilated and lighted by means of skylights below the ceiling. On the sea coast such as Bombay or Madras, moisture rather than heat affects comfort. The object here is to expose as much of the area of the house to outside air so that a lot of breeze is able to come into the rooms. Hence, an open extended plan shaped like the letters L, E, U or H with large windows on the outside walls is appropriate for the climate.

Aspect refers to the arrangement of the doors and windows on the outside walls of the dwelling so that the gifts of Nature in terms of the sun, air, and view are incorporated in the planning. Aspect not only provides comfort but is necessary from the hygienic point of view as well. The value of the sun’s rays in destroying germs and comfort cannot be overemphasized. By careful positioning of the windows it is possible to admit the sun’s rays into any room as desired. A kitchen should have an eastern aspect so that the morning sun streams in and that it would be cool in the latter part of the day. The bedrooms should have a south-east or south-west aspect, while the drawing room a north-east or south-east one.

Privacy is essential in a house and is of two types:

1. Screening of the interior of any one room from the other rooms in the house and also from the main entrance.

2. The privacy of the whole house from the street.

Privacy is of great importance and is especially important for bedrooms, bathrooms and the kitchen. As far as possible, every room except perhaps the drawing room shall have an independent access to it. The skill of the architect is called for while planning these aspects of any house or fat.

Grouping refers to the placement of rooms in relation to each other. For example, the kitchen should be close to the dining room but away from the main living room so that the smoke and smells from the kitchen do not bother those in the living area. Similarly the toilets should be accessible from the bedrooms.

Spaciousness refers to the effect produced by making the best of small proportions of rooms, by deriving the maximum benefit from the minimum dimensions of the room. Alternately maximum benefit should be derived from the minimum dimension of a room to give it a feeling of being roomy. This again requires a great deal of skill on the part of the architect as a room whose walls are disproportionately high, looks much smaller than what it actually is. Similarly, if the length of a room exceeds its width, it looks cramped. A square room looks smaller than an oblong one and in terms of utility this is also true. Space should be well utilised for cupboards, such as under the staircase, below the windows and so on.

Furniture requirements for different rooms must be kept in mind. For example, the positioning of the bed is very important in a bedroom and provision must be made for it. It is necessary to exercise forethought and imagination so that there is provision in every room for the placement of essential furniture.

Sanitation is of primary importance in a dwelling for the health of its inhabitants. The importance of light and suitable sanitation arrangements must be built into the plan. Dust is another great enemy of human health as it causes the spread of many diseases. No mouldings or even skirtings and cornices should be allowed in the inner surfaces of walls as dirt and dust accumulate in them. Ledges, nooks, crevices and all other spaces in which dust can settle should be avoided. All edges and corners and angles made by junctions of walls with floors and ceilings should be rounded.

Ventilation is a prerequisite for any room as it means that the stale air will exit from the rooms and also the maintenance of a movement of air within the house. Movement or the lack of movement of air in a house or the lack of it can lead to a feeling of well-being or discomfort. Lack of movement of air, especially in a tropical country leads to the increase in temperature and humidity which in turn leads to lack of evaporation from the body surface and the subsequent accumulation of heat. For cross ventilation, one window situated in the centre of an outer wall is insufficient. It is, therefore, necessary to have another window or windows in the opposite wall. The so-called “stuffiness” in a crowded room is caused not only by the partial exhaustion of oxygen and the presence of an undue amount of carbonic gas in it, but more by the fact that there are human exhalations in it which are warm, and contain water vapour. Also germs and odours emanating from these exhalations add to the stuffiness in the atmosphere. The purpose of ventilation, therefore, is:

a) to give a sensation of comfortable coolness to the body

b) freedom from bad odours

c) reduction of humidity, and

d) proper supply of oxygen.

A house is arranged into various rooms for the comfort of its inhabitants and each room is required for a different purpose. The size of a house, apartment or duplex apartment may vary but if possible there should be different rooms so that family members and guests can come together and stay in comfort.

Time Management

For a household to function smoothly, time management is as valuable at home as it is in an office. Effective time management ensures that there is no pressure to hurry and perform tasks at breakneck speed, as in household chores the old adage, “haste makes waste” is true. If one tries to cook too fast, put the milk to boil on high heat or if one washes or takes out dishes in a hurry, there is a danger of spilling or breaking things. Hence, allowing reasonable amount of time for different chores, one can always work backwards. For example, if it takes an hour to get the children ready for school with their breakfast and lunch boxes, and if they have to leave the house at 7 a.m., it is best to start at 6 a.m. so that unnecessary hurry is avoided. Working against the pressure of time increases anxiety and gives rise to tension.

The full-time housewife is the mistress of her time, but for those who are working, the time would have to be divided into pre-office and post-office segments, with household chores being divided accordingly. The fulltime housewife would divide her day with different chores being performed at different times. For example, early morning chores such as giving the children their breakfast and tiffn and sending them to school, organising her husband’s breakfast and packed lunch and supervising the work of the domestic help.

The latter part of the day would include cooking lunch, daily shopping and arranging social calls. Once the children return from school, they would have their lunch, and then study. The evening would revolve around the preparation of dinner, the return of the husband from office and of older children from college. The arrival of guests would necessitate extra preparations according to the situation.

The housewife has the innate advantage of being able to organise her schedule according to her needs, thus giving her great fexibility of movement. In the afternoon a visit to the beauty parlour, a hobby lesson or a visit to the market are all within her ambit.

Having chalked out her schedule for the day, there is still a lot that can be done when there are a few minutes to spare.

The following can be done in 5 minutes:

a) an appointment made with a doctor, lawyer or dentist

b) a list of guests can be made for a party

c) indoor plants can be watered

d) a button can be sewed

e) nails can be fled.

The following can be done in 10 minutes:

a) some exercises

b) washing a few clothes or dishes

c) tidying the top of the desk

d) dusting

e) writing out short notes, letters or birthday cards.

One can do the following in 30 minutes:

a) one can go through the newspaper or magazines

b) polish silver or brass

c) do some ironing

d) make phone calls

e) work on some craft project or arrange flowers.

Organising Household Chores

Household chores are of three or four types and can be divided into those that are compulsory and those that are optional, those that must be done daily and others which are weekly or monthly.

Chores for the Day

These include cleaning the house, dusting, bed making, clothes washing, dish washing and cooking.

In western countries where houses are thermetically sealed to keep out the cold, there is less dust, fewer guests and frequently no children. Hence, it is possible to vacuum the house once a week and cook in bulk once every second or third day. However, if a similar schedule were to be adopted in India, the end result would be disastrous! Due to the heat and frequent electricity failure, eating food that has been cooked and kept for two or three days in the ‘fridge’ is fraught with risk. Moreover, the houses are open hence there is a considerable amount of dust and dirt which comes as children, guests and domestic help come in and out of the house. Hence, in India it is essential to cook and clean on a daily basis.

Most Indian families have four meals per day, in addition to the tiffn for school children and office goers. Apart from this, snacks must be offered along with a beverage to visitors who drop in. Thus, cooking, cleaning and dishwashing have to be done on a daily basis, if not several times a day.

The heat and humidity make the stacking of clothes, so that they can be washed in one lot in the washing machine, an unhygienic proposition in the Indian climate. Hence, clothes washing is, also, necessarily a daily chore irrespective of whether one washes by hand or in a machine. Thus, there is really no short-cut to the drudgery of performing certain chores on a daily basis. If one looks upon these tasks in a positive way it becomes easier as it is indeed a pleasure to live in a clean house, wear freshly washed clothes and eat well-cooked meals on sparkling dishes.

Some amount of shopping as for milk, bread and fresh vegetables and fruit is also a daily feature of an Indian household.

Weekly Chores

Certain household chores can be done on a weekly basis such as shopping for meat, fish, eggs, chicken as well as fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables must be stored carefully in the ‘fridge’ as they are perishable products. For example, bananas turn black if kept in the ‘fridge’.

The bed linen and table linen must be changed once a week, along with hand towels and bath towels. In case there are house guests, they must be given fresh sheets and towels.

Bedspreads can be changed once in two weeks.

Monthly Chores

These would include grocery shopping and “rations” such as rice, wheat, dals or pulses, flour, tea, sugar and edible oil as well as spices and detergents. Every housewife would have a rough idea of the family’s monthly consumption and would purchase according to the requirement with a little extra for guests and visitors.

Another important monthly chore is the payment of bills and payment to the domestic help. Bills and salaries should be paid promptly and one can have a diary or account book in which accounts are maintained on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Some cleaning chores can be done on a monthly basis, such as the cleaning of doors and windows. The mattresses and pillows can also be put in the sun once a month.

Maintaining the Household Records

While people in other parts of the world may be moving towards a paperless society, we in India cannot afford to adopt a casual attitude towards paper as we live in a “paper raj”. Electricity, water and telephone bills along with their receipts, house tax, municipal tax, income tax and children’s school fee receipts must be kept with the utmost care. There are so many instances of double billing and claims of “non-receipt of payment”, that it is vitally important for all bills and their receipts to be kept carefully for many years as a measure of both caution and necessity.

Photocopies of important documents can be made and kept in another place such as in a safe deposit vault or in the work place so that they are not destroyed in the event of a fire or food.

Bills, taxes, insurance policies, children’s school records and a separate medical fle for each member of the family should be kept in well marked and easily accessible plastic folders.

A list should be made of the last date for the payment of telephone, electricity, water, credit card and club bills and payment should be made before the last date so that one can avail of the possible rebate given for early payment.

Household insurance and car insurance policies should be kept in separate fles so that payment for renewal can be made prior to the expiry date.

Important papers can be thrown away only after a suitable period has elapsed and when one is sure that they are no longer relevant. All important papers have to be scanned periodically so that unnecessary clutter is not created.

Chapter 2

Cleaning the House and its Security

Cleaning the house is a daily chore and due to the high levels of dust, dirt and pollution in our environment it is compulsory to conduct at least once a day, some ‘mopping up’ operation. Unlike in the western countries where houses are thermatically sealed to keep out the cold, houses in India are open to cope with the vagaries of nature. Therefore, it is not enough to vacuum the house once or twice a week as is common in the west. Also, homes in India have much more traffic in terms of visitors, family members, domestic help, and others who come in and out of the house. Thus cleaning the house is a daily essential and all members of the house must contribute towards this end. Every homemaker has a standard of cleanliness for the home and if these standards are not adhered to and if the house is disordered or dirty, the housewife feels uncomfortable.

Self Help

The pressure of cooking meals, washing clothes, caring for the children, working at home or outside makes it difficult for the housewife to keep the house clean on her own. Frequent light cleaning is the most economical. The homemaker with a schedule and sound methods is better equipped, not only to do the task at hand, but also to teach and guide her assistants whether they are members of the family or paid employees. The main object is to make the job easier and less tiresome by taking a few practical steps.

a) Daily cleaning consists chiefly of sweeping, swabbing and dusting the rooms. In the bedroom, beds must be made and covered with a bed cover.

b) Rooms should be dusted after sweeping but before swabbing so that the consequent dust is mopped up by a wet cloth and is not allowed to circulate and pollute the air.

c) Rugs should be brushed with a carpet brush and so should the upholstery.

d) Weekly cleaning follows the same general procedure but must be done thoroughly. Pictures, mirrors, light bulbs and light fxtures, closet floors, backs of furniture and window shades are dusted.

e) Wherever there is too much dust it is advisable to wipe with a damp cloth.

f) Every other week upholstered furniture may be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

g) Mattresses may be put in the sun and turned side for side one week and end to end the next.

h) Light bulbs, enclosing globes and shades in a few rooms should be cleaned each week so that all are included once a month.

i) Draperies and curtains may be washed or dry-cleaned as and when required.

j) Furniture should be polished from time to time.

k) Rugs and carpets have to be rolled so that the floor beneath can be wiped.

l) In case one has a lawn, sunning a carpet Types of Cleaning Tools and then pulling it along the grass effectively removes a lot of dust and dirt and prevents the carpet from getting damaged as it may through improper vacuuming and dry cleaning.

Domestic Help

India is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where the housewife has the option of keeping servants. Domestic help makes the task of the homemaker easier. However, one should keep the following points in mind:

a) Assign specified tasks to your domestic help, e.g. sweeping, washing.

b) Explain to him/her where you help your clearing utensils.

c) Specify the days of the week when special cleaning needs to be done, e.g. cleaning the carpets, sunning the mattress, etc.

d) If you have more than one servant, assign separate tasks to each of them to avoid confusion and ensure efficiency.

e) You can also explain to them your cleaning schedule.

The situation of servants, however, varies throughout the country, e.g. in Bombay parttime help is more common. Whereas in Delhi, you have the option of both. Hence, depending on the situation, you can decide whether you would like to have all full-time servants or a combination of full-time and part-time or only part-time servants. Many newly married couples, where both the spouses are working, prefer the option of part-time servants as this enables them to lock the house before going off to work.

Type of Cleaning Tools

Brooms

A good broom is essential for cleaning the house. It may be made of vegetable fibres or a harder broom with sticks can be used for washing verandahs, kitchen and the extended portion of the house.

Brushes

There are many types of domestic brushes ranging from a hard bristled carpet brush to a bottle brush, toilet brush, shoe brush, clothes brush, bath tub brush.

Mops

Mops should be washed in suds as often as necessary to keep them clean and then rinsed and dried in the sun. Dry mops also require washing but they are not so frequently used in India as wooden parquet floors are rarely used.

Duster clothes and sponges

Dusters may be made from old clothing, towels, or household fabrics. Pieces of fine, soft wool make the most satisfactory dusting cloth or linen. Chamois is excellent for washing windows because it cleans and polishes at the same time. It is made of sheep skin and is oil tanned. The quality of a chamois can be judged by its elasticity. Sponges are better than cloth for washing walls, tiles and stone surfaces. Sponges and steel wool sponges are often used for cleaning utensils. Damp and crushed newspapers are a good way of cleaning glass surfaces without scratching them.

Dustpans and pails

Dustpans with long handles eliminate stooping. However, since most of the sweeping in houses is done by a domestic servant by squatting, a smaller dustpan can also be used. A separate pail made of either steel or plastic should be kept for wiping the floors.

Vacuum cleaners

A vacuum cleaner is one of the most useful household tools because it removes dust and litter effectively. Suction sweeping and agitation are employed in the different types of vacuum cleaners to remove dust. Vacuum cleaners are particularly useful on areas which are carpeted.

Cleaning supplies

Water, particularly warm water is a good cleaning agent. Although it loosens dirt, it should be used sparingly and wiped off quickly. It should never be allowed to stand on wall, floor or furniture, nor should it be allowed to soak into seams and cracks.

Detergents

Some synthetic detergents are superior to soap for washing dishes and clothes.

Polishes

Waxes and metal polishes protect the floor, furniture and metals respectively. They not only give a shine but also offer protection against insects. Since wooden floors cannot be swabbed with soap and water, it must be waxed. Light scratches on wooden furniture and wooden floor can also be eliminated by waxing and polishing.

Maintaining the Walls

Get your house painted at least once in two years.

Sometimes washing walls is also a feasible option. You will need:

a) Sturdy ladder

b) Detergent mix

c) Clean water

d) 2 buckets.

Always remember to start at the top as this avoids permanent staining due to the detergent. First wipe the wall with a washing sponge, then rinse out the dirt into an empty bucket. Now restart the process by dipping your sponge into the cleaning solution. Avoid using coloured sponges as this may leave stains. Now wipe the walls dry with terry cloth towels

However, weekly cleaning of ceiling is also a must. Always start high up. You will need a duster and a stepladder.

Another handy hint is to apply a thin coat of laundry starch after washing the walls. This will make your task easier the next time around.

Maintaining the Floors

a) Never scrub wooden floors with water. Dry mopping and sweeping is sufficient for a routine cleaning.

b) Never use an oiled dust mop on a waxed floor.

c) Clean varnished floors with a long handled brush and a dust mop.

d) Waxed floors—to remove excess polish, use a special floor cleaner and a scotch brite pad. Don’t forget to wear gloves. For a regular cleaning, use cheesecloth and one can renew finish with liquid wax.

e) Ordinary mosaic flooring or tiled flooring is cleaned most effectively with a sweeping mop and a floor cleaner e.g. Domex, Phenyl, etc.

f) To avoid scratching your flooring while shifting furniture, either lift the furniture or slip old socks over the legs of the table before sliding it.

Maintaining Tiles

a) Tiles in the bathroom should be washed at least once in two days with a sponge and detergent soap.

b) Ceramic tiles on walls or floors should also be cleaned with the help of a household cleaner and a sponge/mop.

c) To make ceramic tiles look fresh, brush white shoe polish into the cracks around the tiles (using an old toothbrush). Wipe off the polish streaks with a damp cloth.

Cleaning Carpets

Use a carpet sweeper to remove dirt daily.

Do not attempt to shake your carpets violently.

Do not varnish the floor under the carpets as the dirt that seeps through ruins the varnish.

To make your sweeping more efficient drop some moist newspaper strips before sweeping.

While vacuuming your carpet remember to move your vacuum in the direction of the pile. Work in overlapping parallel strokes paying special attention to areas in front of furniture pieces.

For shampooing carpets, you will need an aerosol spray foam. First vacuum your carpet thoroughly then apply an even layer of foam over the surface of the carpet. Now let the foam dry thoroughly then vacuum the carpet at top suction. Or alternatively, you could also use any detergent that you use for washing woollen clothes. To drain out the water from the carpet, use a long wooden stick with rubber attachment. Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly before placing back in the room.

To store away carpets, first sun them for at least two-three days, clean them thoroughly. Spread dried neem leaves all along the surface. Roll tightly and wrap in brown paper.

Lay carpets only on level surfaces.

Spray the underlay with insecticide at regular intervals.

Turn the carpets around at frequent intervals to distribute the weight of the furniture.

Do not use hard brushes on carpets as the pile gets disturbed.

Do not drag heavy furniture over carpets. Also move heavy furniture around frequently to avoid crushing a carpet.

Protect carpets from strong sunlight.

Another effective way of shampooing your carpet is to use the foam collected from reetha nuts. Apply the foam and start cleaning the carpet from one end. Rub the lather in a circular motion.

You could add 1 teaspoonful of vinegar to the shampoo to yield better results.

Tips for removing carpet stains:

a) Always work inwards from the edge of the stain.

b) Apply only small amounts of cleaning agent at a time.

c) Never overwet the pile carpet.

d) Rinse the treated area with clean water.

Removing Spots from Rugs

Food Stains: Use ordinary washing methods. For radical procedure, add 3 tablespoonfuls ammonia to 2 gallons of suds.

Oil Stains: (from fibre rugs). Apply cleaning fluid periodically until stain is removed from rug permanently.

Ink Stains: Flush out stain with water, blot with soft, dry cloth. Or apply fresh milk as quickly after the accident as possible. Cover with cornstarch and remove, and then apply solution of mild soap and water. If stain persists, apply paste of milk and cornmeal and allow to remain overnight. If stain still persists, loosen with ink eradicator No.1 solution, then sponge with oxalic acid, and wash with water to which 3 drops of ammonia have been added, wash with clear water.

Paint: Apply turpentine, soap and water. If paint has hardened, soften with paint remover, scrape, and then apply turpentine. Don’t use liquid paint remover if stain is wet.

Argyrol: Dissolve 2 tablets dichloride of mercury in 1 ounce water. Apply with dropper till stain disappears. Remove solution. Rinse dry.

Iodine: 1 ounce hyposulphite in 3 ounces water. Add 1/2 ounce ammonia; apply with dropper till stain disappears.

Rust Stains: Apply a mild solution of oxalic acid and rinse immediately.

Shoe Polish: Use dry-cleaning fluid, then wash with solution of ammonia, soap and water.

Cleaning Curtains/Blinds

Curtains

You can dry-clean your curtains once in 6 months.

However, you can wash the lighter curtains at home once in 2 months either in a washing machine or with the help of a detergent.

Remember to wax the curtain rods every time you wash your curtains.

If a freshly washed curtain does not hang well, send it for a steam press to the drycleaner.

Blinds

a) Venetian blinds - to clean use a feather duster. However, for a special clean up take them down and wash in a detergent.

b) Holland blinds - use the dusting attachment for your vacuum cleaner or take down and scrub with detergent.

c) Plastic blinds - should be washed in detergent and hung to drip dry.

Maintaining Upholstery

Fine fabrics and pale coloured upholstery should be given to the dry cleaner.

If cleaning at home make sure you use the upholstery shampoo according to the instructions.

Brush upholstery once a week with a carpet brush.

Polishing Silver

Maintaining silver articles around the house is a demanding task as sulphur compounds in the air cause it to tarnish easily. To keep your silverware shining:

Electrolysis: This process is an effective way to remove tarnish. Fill an aluminium vessel with hot water (before using the vessel boil it in a weak vinegar solution). To the hot water, add 1 tsp. of salt, and 1 tsp. of baking powder for each quart of water. Bring the water to boil and drop in the pieces of silver. In a few seconds, the silver will be bright. Now wash in soap water. Rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Silver polishes are equally efficient. Remember to follow the instructions on the bottle.

While washing silverware, separate cutlery and tableware to avoid scratches. Soak in warm soapy water. Rub well and rinse with hot water. Now lay them on a clean towel to dry.

To remove egg stains from your silverware, sprinkle salt on it and then rub with a wet cloth.

Lacquer your ornamental silver to prevent tarnishing.

Wash oxidised silver in lukewarm water and soap at frequent intervals.

Furniture

Marks on furniture Scratch marks

Fine scratches can be disguised by rubbing with half a Brazil nut kernel. The oil from the nut will darken the scratch so it tones with the surrounding surface.

Alternatively, dip a piece of flannel in linseed oil, then lay it over the scratch and press it down firmly. Leave it for three hours, remove the cloth and rub in a good wax polish, again leaving it for a few hours before dusting off.

Deep scratches can be filled with plastic wood or wood stopping in a suitable colour, applied with an orange stick.

Spilled perfume, hair spray or nail varnish

Don’t try to wipe off the spilled liquid, because this simply makes the mark worse. Leave it to dry before tackling the problem.

If the damage is slight and only the top layer of polish has been affected, try rubbing it lightly with 9/0 grade (very fine) sand paper. Rub uniformly over the entire surface, working in the direction of the grain. This will gradually remove a thin film of polish together with the marks.

Once the marks have disappeared you can rub the surface with metal polish applied with a damp cloth, to revive the gloss. Then buff up with a clean duster.

Heat marks and water marks

On a varnished surface you may find that the marks will disappear if you rub them with metal polish. Follow this up with brown shoe polish applied sparingly with a soft cloth, and buff up well.

On polished furniture you can rub the marks with a cloth which has been moistened with a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine. You can make this yourself by adding 1/4 pint of turpentine to 1 pint of linseed oil (the boiled variety). Mix well, rub the mixture into the affected areas, leave overnight then polish. Keep the mixture in a bottle for future use.

Cleaning up teak

To cure marks from sticky fingers, hot dishes and cosmetics, apply white spirit (turps substitute) on a lint-free cloth, then rub with a very fine grade (000) wire wool, rubbing along the direction of the grain only (if you go across the grain you will scratch the surface). After this wipe over the surface with a cloth moistened with white spirit, then dry off with a dry cloth. Finish off by applying teak oil in the normal way.

Upholstered furniture

Non-grease marks should be sponged with a soft cloth wrung out in cool water. Remove grease marks with a spirit dry-cleaning solvent such as carbon tetrachloride, applied with a soft clean cloth.

Alternatively, the odd grease marks can be treated with French chalk or fuller’s earth. Leave overnight to absorb the grease and then brush off the following morning. If this hasn’t removed the mark, repeat the process several times. If the mark is on the back of the furniture and the powder does not stay put, mix it with a little carbon tetrachloride to form a thick paste and spread this over the stain.

On wool, tapestry and velveteen to remove light surface dirt, first vacuum the furniture thoroughly with a shaped cleaning nozzle. Then use a soft, clean cloth moistened with cleaning fluid, such as carbon tetrachloride, and rub lightly over the upholstery. Alternatively, wring out a cloth tightly in mild detergent suds and rub over the surface. Dry foam shampoo cleaners applied with a large-pored sponge are also suitable for these materials—and for Dralon flat-woven and Dralon velvet upholstery. Velvet, brocatelle, silk and non-fast coloured fabrics should be professionally cleaned. Vinyl upholstery should be washed with a cloth wrung out in mild soapless detergent or soapfakes. Scrub heavy vinyl but never use chemicals, soda, strong soap powders or abrasives. To remove ballpoint ink stains, sponge with a cloth moistened with methylated spirit and then rinse well. Another method is to rub the stain with a cloth dipped in neat liquid detergent.

Hide furniture needs dusting and occasionally a rub with liquid silicone polish. To treat soiled hide, clean it with a cloth dipped in a solution of half vinegar and half-warm water. Leave to dry then rub with linseed oil. Leave for twenty-four hours then rub off any remaining oil and polish with white silicone cream.

Wooden furniture is usually finished with varnish lacquer or shellac and rubbed to a high polish. To dust, use a clean dry hemmed duster and give each piece an extra rub to keep it shining. Always use coasters when serving drinks or heat-resistant pads to take your dishes. Wipe up spills immediately and then rub with the palm of your hand or a cloth moistened with oil polish.

For old stains, use powdered pumice mixed to a paste with linseed oil. Rub lightly in the direction of the grain. Wipe with a cloth soaked in plain linseed oil.

Deep-seated stains should be treated professionally.

Candlewax must be scraped off with a stiff card or your fingernail. Wash with warm soapsuds.

Grease spots should be wiped with a cloth moistened with cleaning fluid and then polished. For ink spills, blot it up quickly and apply a damp cloth to the spot, pressing firmly. Continue blotting with a dampened cloth using a clean portion every time. Don’t rub the ink in.

Wipe off fresh paint blotches with a cloth dipped in turpentine polish.

Soften old spots with linseed oil. Soak for a while. Scrape away softened paint and use pumice stone treatment for remaining traces of polish.

A well-waxed surface is a safeguard against watermarks.

Bamboo or cane furniture should be dusted with a damp cloth to prevent the drying out or splitting of this type of furniture.

Leather upholstered furniture should be dry dusted. To prevent leather from cracking, rub it occasionally with castor oil on dark surfaces and white Vaseline on light surfaces. Wipe out all traces of oil thoroughly. Upholstered furniture should be kept clean with a good stiff brush.

Appliances

Wash your pressure cooker after each use, but do not immerse the cover in water to avoid clogging the vents. Wipe the cover with a soapy cloth, and rinse with a damp one. Clean openings and draw a string through them. Carefully wash the gasket. Reversing the gasket sometimes helps if steam tends to escape from the cooker.

Refrigerators should be defrosted before the frost is more than an inch thick. Clean out the interior. Remove all the food from the shelves.

Clean and wipe all surfaces. Clean gasket and accessories with soap and water. Rinse and wipe dry. Clean the outside of a refrigerator at least once a month.

Let hot dishes partially cool before refrigerating them.

Keep the refrigerator full. A half-empty appliance uses more energy because air is harder to keep cold than chilled food.

Cover dishes with moisture and vapour proof wraps to prevent frost from forming and liquid from evaporating. This will help retain favour too.

Electric bulbs should be dusted regularly and washed once a month to get full lighting value. Shades and glass fxtures should be given the same treatment.

Electric wires should be replaced or repaired if frazzled or worn out to ensure against short circuits and shock.

Before connecting or disconnecting a cord turn off the switch. If the appliance itself is controlled by a switch, switch it off before connecting or disconnecting it to prevent sparking and wearing away of contacts.

Jerking plugs out may damage copper wires inside or the prongs of the plug.

Never wrap cord around an iron or a heater while still warm. Store cords loosely in a box or drawer or hang them coiled over a round peg.

Electric fans. Oil your fan about once a year. To clean an electric fan, first disconnect it. Wipe blades and motor casing with a damp cloth. If the casing is very dirty, use a cloth wrung out of soap suds taking care not to let any moisture permeate the casing. Rinse and dry. When storing your fan, cover it completely with paper or a cloth.

Electric iron. Always disconnect the iron as soon as you’ve finished your work and allow it to cool. If the bottom has become stained with starch, wipe it with a cloth wrung out of hot soap suds. Never scrape with a knife. Avoid using the iron over zippers, hooks or buttons as it might scratch the plating. About once a month, rub the bottom with paraffn or beeswax, carefully wiping out surplus with a piece of cloth or paper. This keeps the iron slick and prevents starch stains. Replace worn cords promptly. When ironing don’t press too hard.

Stoves. Wipe food spills immediately, while the stove is still warm.

Cleaning Light Fixtures

a) Wipe light fxtures with a damp cloth at least once a month. However, make sure you shut the mains off.

b) To clean chandeliers spray with glass cleaner till the dirt starts dripping. Now wipe off with a soft cloth. However, switch off the mains.

c) Always remove bulbs from the fxtures before cleaning.

d) To clean tubelights use a cloth dipped in detergent. Then wipe off with a soft dry cloth.

Handling Domestic Garbage

Provide waste paper baskets in every room to take care of everyday garbage.

These waste paper baskets should be cleaned out everyday.

Wash these baskets once a week to keep them clean.

One big bin should be provided where the garbage of the house should be thrown. Line this bin with special garbage bags to facilitate cleaning. This bin should also be cleaned everyday, and washed with Dettol once a month.