“Cleanliness, evolving yet timeless, symbolizes our respect for health, dignity, and order.”
When the history of cleaning habits becomes a topic of discussion, the first thing that crosses our mind is the tale of a sweeping monk. The story opens in the monastery, where a monk cleans every aspect diligently, making it spotless. On being asked by a visitor the reason behind this act, he answered, “By sweeping, I purify my mind and find inner peace,” making the visitor understand the spiritual significance of the act.
We often think of cleaning as a tiring job, but in reality, the scenario is quite different. One question remains: when and how did it all start?
Throughout history, the concept of cleanliness has progressed along with human civilization. This blog will discuss how cleaning habits have evolved from their earliest times.
Let’s start with ancient civilizations such as Babylon and Egypt, where cleanliness was considered a part of daily life. Soaps were made with animal fat and charcoal ash by the Babylonians, and the Egyptians used vegetable oils and alkaline salts like natron.
During the medieval period, ‘cleaning’ differed greatly across cultures. In Europe, superstitions and religious beliefs heavily discourage bathing. The element ‘water’ was considered a foe due to the fear of diseases and triggering the need for perfumes and mask odors. But for Islamic societies, cleanliness holds some importance, and ritual purification before prayer is essential.
The Renaissance evoked the revival of hygiene and sanitization, driven by scientific progress. Public baths were emerging in some European cities, and personal grooming was slowly becoming popular among the upper classes.
The Industrial Revolution brought remarkable changes in cleaning habits. Urbanization and industrialization resulted in crowded cities with poor cleanliness. To stop the spread of disease, hygiene became more important after the development of germ theory in the 19th century. Technological advances like soap production and indoor plumbing have contributed to making personal hygiene easier for people.
As chemical cleaning solutions and home appliances became more prevalent in the 20th century, cleaning methods started to change. Domestic cleaning habits have changed into something practical and more efficient with hoover cleaners, washing machines, and disinfectants.
Modern cleaning habits are a blend of cultural, social, and environmental factors. As an example, the COVID-19 pandemic showed how crucial hygiene and sanitization are to preventing the spread of disease. Cleaning habits gained more popularity than ever; regular hand washing, surface disinfection, and the wearing of masks became common practices.
Meanwhile, there is a trend towards eco-friendly practices as people become more conscious of the harm associated with conventional cleaning products. All these gave rise to the use of natural cleaning alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
In the end, the evolution of cleaning habits throughout history is a reflection of evolving cultural norms, scientific discoveries, and social norms. A vital aspect of human civilization has consistently been the quest for cleanliness, from ancient cleaning rites to present-day cleaning techniques. Our cleaning habits will change as we adapt to new situations and technologies.
