Do you want to learn homemaking like grandma did? Well, my grandma is full of homemaking tips and she has agreed to share them. From chores to decorating, she’s given us all of her best tips. Homemakers new and old will be able to find a little trick or idea to try.
None of that Girly Stuff
As a kid, I refused to take part in anything deemed girly. Except for baby dolls. I had no desire to learn how to keep a home. My grandma, Mama Susie, tried to offer advice or teach me things. But I was much more interested in playing outside barefoot and free.
Then one year my mom gifted me a hope chest. Something changed with that chest. As I began filling it with dishes and pretty things, I realized that I needed the skills to keep a home as much as I needed the spatulas. I asked Mama Susie to teach me to cook easy meals, so every Wednesday I would go over and she would help me cook a meal. Then she would write down the recipe so that I could add it to my cookbook. I started listening when she would offer advice. Once I got married, I began homemaking like grandma did. She still texts me tidbits as she thinks of them. It has become quite special between us.
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Homemaking like Grandma
Keep a house book. Add the names and numbers for plumbers, HVAC, and repair men. This is also a good place for receipts and warranty paperwork. Write down anything relevant to the home. When you got a new roof, what year you bought the new fridge, etc.
Put a rug by the backdoor for people to slip off their shoes. Shoes bring in most of the dirt in a home.
Have set days for chores. Give each day its work like Ma Ingalls did.
Organize everything. Label storage boxes. Label food going into the freezer. Keep a list on the outside of the freezer of the contents of the freezer. An acrylic board works great for this.
Make a budget. Dave Ramsey has great classes, books and resources.
Cleaning is much easier if you plan on regular jobs. Vinegar is an inexpensive and low tox option. I love my lemon vinegar multipurpose spray. Keep a small pile of cleaning clothes on hand. Have a separate set for outside things because you never want to use a rag that was used on auto grease to wipe the counters.
Homemaking Like Grandma: Laundry
Use cold water to wash clothing. Hot water is rarely necessary.
Skip the pods. You’re paying for convenience. I really like the laundry soap sheets from Revive or Clean People.
Use half of the recommended amount of detergent.
Spot treat the clothes. I made a list of ways to remove stains. Dawn dish soap is great on grease. When you treat a stain, let it sit for at least 10 minutes before washing.
Skip the dryer sheets. They are full of chemicals, expensive, and much too fragrant. If you want some scent try using essenti al oils on wool dryer balls.
Remove clothes from the dryer as soon as they are dry. This will cut down on wrinkles and ironing.
A rolling laundry sorter is very helpful. Then you can sort the clothes at the hamper and not have to carry each hamper through the house.
Homemaking Like Grandma: Decorating
Look at magazines and Pinterest for decorating ideas. Find the common thread between the ideas that you like.
Pick a theme when decorating. Mama Susie decorated her guest bathroom in pears. All of the artwork in my house is farm animals.
Try a color scheme. You can look for all sorts of color pallets online. I’ve often looked at rustic farmhouse color pallets and seasonal ones as well.
Tablecloths, napkins, table runners, or just a square of fabric can be used on tables, mantels, or cabinets. They are also easy to store.
Pillows or pillow covers are easy to swap out. Add them to the beds and furniture.
Decorating for the Holidays
Store holiday decorations in their own bins. Make sure to label the bins. We have a color for each holiday. This makes it easy to find what you are looking for at a glance.
Candles and candle holders are great because they come in many shapes and colors. During Easter, you can put Easter eggs on the candlesticks. A small sock works well to weigh it down enough not to blow over every time you open the door. During Christmas, you can place pine cones on the candle sticks.
Use wreaths to decorate doors, windows, and walls. You can find inexpensive wreath holders that fit over the door. Or you can use a thumbtack and monofilament line to hang wreaths. You can use the same basic wreath and add in seasonal bits. Pipe cleaners are good for adding in the seasonal bits or creating a loop to hang it with. Pinecones are the perfect addition in the winter months.
Put pine cones or acorns in a glass bowl for an inexpensive decoration. You can also glue a pinecone to a stick and add it to a flower arrangement. You can keep pine cones for several years. They also make great fire starters when you are done using them to decorate.
Grab some seasonal paper napkins. They are a fun addition to your table or lunchbox. You can even stand them up in a jar for a festive piece for the table.
Garland is easy to make. Purchase the cheapest garland, then add picks, ornaments, or pinecones to it. You can drape them over mantels, doorways, windows, handrails, and banisters.
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