6 Rules Every 1950s Homemaker Followed

Ah, the 1950s. Perhaps one of the most romanticized times of the 20th century. When you think of the ‘50s, images of flowy skirts, Sunday afternoon drives, and happy families may come to mind. Of course, that doesn't mean it was all fun and games. Still, while there were problems in the 1950s, that doesn’t mean we can’t bring back some of the good that came out of that time.

Plenty of people are looking to live simpler lives today. We are so overwhelmed with technology and entertainment that it’s easy to get lost. I think one of the reasons the 1950s has been so glamorized is that we see it as a simpler time in life.

In my opinion, one of the best things that came out of the ‘50s was a new appreciation for homemaking. Many homemakers in this era followed a few rules that made their daily tasks easier. This list isn’t meant to restrict you but rather give you the freedom that comes with a more organized schedule.

1. They Cleaned Up Throughout the Day

I don’t know about you, but I definitely feel overwhelmed if I leave all my cleaning to do it all at once! If I have a lot of cleaning to do at once, I tend to lose motivation and am much less productive. Keeping your house clean throughout the day is much easier than trying to catch up later. And that’s especially important if you live in a small space.

Keeping your house relatively straightened up throughout the day also means you are always ready for guests! It's super stressful to have an unexpected visitor when the home is a disaster zone, and you don’t want to be focused on what your house looks like when it’s time to welcome someone into your home.

That's not to say I keep our home perfect all the time. And if you have kids, it’s even harder to keep up with the cleaning. Still, tidying up throughout the day can make things easier for everyone. We have two people in my household right now, so I try to do the dishes twice a day at a minimum. If I've been cooking, I clean up the kitchen after I'm done.

2. They Had a Set Routine

A routine lets you schedule your day, so you don’t need to spend time thinking about what to do next. With a set routine, you know exactly what you need to get done and when. Of course, a routine will need to change as your life changes, but as long as your routine works for everyone, there is no reason to change it. I talk more here about a daily schedule for a 1950s housewife here.

For myself, I start each morning by brewing the coffee, doing some writing, and cleaning up any stray dishes in the kitchen from the previous night. I know some people prefer to put everything away that night, but because I'm much more of a morning person, I like to do the basics after dinner and then unload the dish drainer in the morning. (Plus, my husband tends to get snackish after I’ve gone to bed, so plates and mugs have a habit of appearing in the sink the next morning.)

3. They Always Had a Plan

Having a plan goes hand-in-hand with having a routine. Homemakers in the 1950s knew the importance of planning errands, appointments, meals, and deep cleaning. If you have a family, you could create a family calendar that everyone has access to, so you know where everyone needs to be and when. This could be an electronic calendar or a big paper one on the fridge. The important thing is to find a system that works for your household and stick to it.

Having this master plan can keep you from forgetting things. Plus, not having to remember all these things can be much less stressful on your mind!

4. They Gave Themselves Some Slack

No one is immune to burnout, and those perfectly put together 1950s ladies were no exception! The homemakers with the best outcomes took care of themselves – self-care isn’t something that was invented recently!

Think about those ‘50s women who went to get their hair done every week. Did you ever wonder why they put such importance on their hair when they didn’t go out all the time?  

While it helped them achieve the styles that were popular in the day, it was also a form of self-care for them. This was a chance for them to visit with other women, and it gave them a chance to get out of the house and relax from the busyness of their daily lives.

There were plenty of other ways women chose to relax and take a break, including:

• Taking a day of rest on Sundays
• Doing something creative, like sewing or knitting
• Getting lunch with friends
• Taking long bubble baths
• Reading a book

Even if you have a lot on your homemaker to-do list, make sure you are taking time away for yourself, so you don’t burn out.

5. They Didn’t Procrastinate

I’m not exactly one to talk about not putting things off, but 1950s housewives knew procrastinating too much was a bad thing. Having a schedule and checklist helped them tackle more things. I think it’s easier than ever to procrastinate because we have the added distractions of our phones and social media.

Procrastination really is a habit though, and the more you make yourself do something you have been putting off, the more you will develop the opposite habit – proactiveness! If you're having trouble getting started on those tasks you don’t like, find someone who can hold you accountable and who will check in with you.

6. They Got Dressed Each Day

Lots of people don’t follow this rule anymore, especially as remote work has become more popular. Whether it’s sweatpants, leggings, or pajamas, comfy clothing is many people’s dream. And if you are a homemaker full-time, it’s easy to justify not getting dressed every day.

But you might be surprised at how good getting dressed every day makes you feel. Homemakers in the 1950s knew getting dressed could help them be more put together, and they often had housedresses for this purpose. Of course, you don’t have to wear a dress if that’s not your style, but there are lots of cute, comfortable options. Feeling good about the way you look can help you stay motivated with the daily tasks that come as a homemaker.

What are your favorite homemaking rules to follow?