1940s Style Dinner Cleanup: A Step-by-Step Guide

1940s Style Dinner Cleanup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning up after dinner was once an art and an essential part of homemaking. It kept the home running smoothly and efficiently.

In the 1940s, the process of tidying up after a meal wasn’t just about cleaning, it was also about creating order and preserving the beauty and function of the home.

Let's take a step back in time and see how women of the 1940s tidied up after dinner.

I came across this information in an old cookbook from 1949 and I couldn't wait to share it with you. Maybe some of these vintage tips will inspire you to make your own evening routine run a little smoother.

Clear the Table

• When dinner has finished remove all the dishware that contains food first, cover and place leftovers in the fridge
• Remove the serving platters, side dish platters, butter dish, and sauce dishes
• Remove any dishes that were unused and put them away
• Make sure not to pile any of the dirty dishes on top of each other as the bottoms of the dishes will then become dirty as well, making your job harder later

Prior to serving dessert

• Before serving dessert, take a moment to remove all the condiments from the table, the salt, pepper, and any other items that may have been left on the table. This keeps the dining area looking neat and allows you to focus on serving sweet treats!
• If you are looking for some ideas for some delicious desserts after dinner here are some of my favorites! Vanilla ice cream, Impossible pie, and Apple crisp.

Clean the Crumbs

• Use a folded napkin to gently wipe away any crumbs from the table. Brush them onto a plate or a crumb tray to keep the table looking clean. This step helps to maintain the tidy atmosphere for enjoying dessert and talking with one around the table.

Collect All Items After Dessert

• Once everyone has finished eating and has left the dining room, it’s time to collect all used cutlery, glasses, saucers, and dessert dishes. Be sure to gather everything that has been used so it can be cleaned properly. Keeping these items organized will save you time and prevent a messy kitchen later.
• Transfer any leftover food to proper containers for storing or dispose of anything needing to be tossed.
• Take everything to the counter where the dishes will be washed.

Tidying up the dining room

• If you’re using a tablecloth, be sure to brush off any remaining crumbs. Then, carefully fold the tablecloth. This helps maintain the neatness of your table and keeps the fabric ready for the next meal.
• If napkins were unused, fold them neatly and place them back into their individual napkin rings. This simple step helps ensure the napkins are ready for future use so you can have that elegant feeling of your table setting.
• After the meal, sweep any crumbs from the floor and arrange the chairs back into their places around the table. A well-kept dining room feels inviting, and these small tasks make a big difference in keeping your space tidy.
• Note: never sweep or dust the dining room just before a meal as it stirs up dust and dirt which can make your eating area filthy.

Tidying up after dinner the 1940s way was about creating a sense of order and care that brings a warm, welcoming feeling to the home. I love the idea of serving dessert after dinner and having a beautiful table setting with a table cloth and napkins. To me, it adds more beauty to the table and makes each meal more inviting.

Note: Something I like to do is make my desserts in the morning as well as the salad for dinner, that way it saves some time in the evening where energy levels are not as high.

By following these steps, you can maintain a timeless tradition of homemaking that makes the home feel truly lived-in, loved, and organized. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about bringing vintage homemaking wisdom into today’s busy world.

Washing the Dishes, 1940's Style

Doing the dishes may not be anyone's favorite task, but in the 1940s, it was a carefully executed part of homemaking that kept the kitchen running smoothly.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process that homemakers of the past would follow when it came to washing dishes.

Scrape and Rinse First

• Start by scraping all leftover food off the dishes. This prevents food from hardening on the surface and makes the washing process easier.
• After scraping, rinse each dish.
• Be sure to empty and rinse the cups as well.

Organize Your Dishes

Once the dishes are rinsed, organize them into separate categories:

• Plates: Arrange plates by size, with the largest ones at the bottom.
• Cups: Gather all cups together.
• Silverware: Group the silverware, separating knives to keep things organized.
• Soak Dishes Right Away: If possible, wash cooking dishes immediately after use, or fill them with water as soon as they are emptied. This prevents food from sticking and makes cleaning easier.

Soak Dishes

Hot Water Soak: Add hot water into the dishes that need to be soaked so they will be easier to wash once you get to them. Some examples would be dishes that held sugary items.

Prepare the Dishwater

Fill the sink half full with hot, soapy water. Hot water helps to break down grease and food remnants, making it easier to clean each dish. It also helps sanitize your dishes.

For fine china and delicate glassware, be extra cautious—slip these pieces in sideways so that the hot water touches both the inside and the outside at once. This prevents the risk of cracking from the heat of the water.

Wash dishes in this order

Glassware: Start with glass items that are delicate like fine china and delicate cups
Silverware: Then move on to the silverware.
Cups and Saucers: After that, wash cups and saucers.
Plates: Next, wash the plates.
Platters and Vegetable Dishes: Then move on to platters, vegetable dishes, and any other large serving dishes.
Cooking Utensils: Finally, wash cooking utensils, like spatulas or ladles.

Handle Fine China with Care

Fine china and delicate glassware should not be placed in the dish rack. Instead, lay them on a dishcloth folded in half to avoid nicks or scratches.

This extra care ensures that the fragile pieces are handled gently and remain in excellent condition.

Tips

• Egg beaters should be washed immediately after using them as they are hard to wash after food has hardened to them
• Kitchen knives should never be placed in the dishwater. Instead, use a dishcloth to wash them and then dry them thoroughly and put away.
• For cooking utensils with stuck-on food, use a non scratch scrub sponge to scrub them clean. This helps remove stubborn remnants without damaging the utensil.

Rinse and Drain

• After washing each dish, rinse it in hot water to remove any soap residue.
• Once rinsed place the dish in the dish rack.
• Wipe them dry with a clean dish towel.

Drain the sink

Keep the strainer in the sink while draining the water to catch food particles. After drained, remove the contents and discard them in the garbage. This keeps the sink clean and prevents clogs.

Wash kitchen towels and cloths

• Wash dish towels and cloths each night so they are ready to be used the next day
• Then wash your hands thoroughly after handling dishes and wipe them dry with a clean towel, don't use the same towel for drying your hands that you use for drying the dishes

Scrub the sink and faucets

• Once all the dishes are washed, give your sink and faucets a thorough cleaning.
• Scrub down the sink with soapy water and rinse it with hot water to sanitize.
• Every night, pour boiling water down the sink drain, this can prevent minor clogs and keep the sink clean. However, make sure your pipes are made of heat-resistant materials like iron or copper if you choose to use this method. 

Dining room cleanup

• After the meal, make sure that no food is left uncovered.
• Move all the chairs aside and sweep or vacuum the dining room floor.
• Always sweep or dry mop the floor to gather crumbs and dust before mopping it.
• When sweeping, start at the edges of the room and work your way toward the center and make sure to sweep after every meal
• Wipe down the table and any marks on the chairs, ensuring the dining area is spotless.

Cleaning up after dinner was no small task in the 1940's. It was so important that there was a whole routine in a cookbook I read about it.

While it can be frustrating having to clean up after spending so much time making dinner, tackling it right away can save you time in the morning. No more scrubbing off hardened food that sat on dishes over night!

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into a 1940's evening routine. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Do you already follow any of these steps, or are you thinking about adding something new into your own routine?