History of cleaning
Cleaning is one of the most ancient activities that people practice. The history of cleaning spans millennia, and the methods and tools used for cleaning have undergone significant changes. But behind every period, regardless of the level of development of technology, cleaning has always been not only a duty but also a necessity to create better living conditions.
- Cleaning in prehistoric times
Originally, house cleaning was not a specialized activity, but rather part of a person’s daily survival work. In prehistoric times, people used natural materials such as leaves, reeds and wooden sticks to collect dust and remove dirt from their caves and bivouacs. Cleanliness in those times consisted mainly of removing animal remains and lighting fires to purify the air of smells and germs.
- Ancient Egypt and Rome: Early innovations in cleaning
As civilizations developed, cleaning began to become more organized and specialized. In Ancient Egypt, people began using various plant extracts and oils to clean and disinfect their homes. Written sources show that Egyptians used mixtures of sodium salts and vegetable oils to make surfaces in their homes cleaner and more hygienic.
The ancient Romans also left traces of innovations in cleaning, such as the “floxculus”, a special broom-like tool used to clean floors and other surfaces. The Romans built elaborate sewer systems and baths, which are considered the first attempts at modern public cleaning. They also had liquid soaps and various cleaning products.
- Medieval and Renaissance: Cleaning becomes an important part of the household
During the Middle Ages, in Europe, cleaning homes was not a high enough priority, and because of the low standard of hygiene and the poverty of the people, pollution and disease were common. Domestic work consisted mainly of cleaning hearths, fireplaces and floors using handmade brooms and brushes.
However, during the Renaissance, new methods of cleaning began to be applied, such as the use of various aromatic plants and natural cleaning agents. In Italy, for example, people started making home remedies from herbs to ensure better hygiene in their homes.
- The Industrial Revolution: a revolution in cleaning
With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, cleaning technologies began to change dramatically. In this period, the first machines appeared to help clean large areas and the tools for maintaining cleanliness were perfected. One of the great achievements was the invention of the first vacuum cleaner, patented by Charlotte Reed in the late 19th century.
With the development of the chemical industry, ready-made cleaners began to be produced and became essential cleaning tools in homes, offices and industrial plants.
