During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are forgotten gems that are pertinent today. I am sharing this series as a historical glimpse into yesterday’s home maintenance and the occasional addition to solutions for the modern home.
6. Whitening a ceiling
“Best results are obtained if the old whitewash is first cleaned from the ceiling by the following method. Wet the ceiling thoroughly and work up the softened whitewash with the sides of a brush. Brush on more water then wipe the ceiling clean with a sponge. A greasy ceiling should be scrubbed with a hot solution of soda. Then scrape out any cracks which should be moistened and filled with plaster of Paris and sandpapered level. Apply the wash freely (do not use the heel of the brush) working the whole length or width of the ceiling in strips. It is advisable to complete the the whitewashing in one operation. Keep doors and windows of the room shut while working, but open them as soon as the work is completed to ensure rapid and uniform drying.”
This endeavour divided the men from the boys. Music hall songs abound about such ambitious projects as whitening a ceiling. The amount of slapping about as you ‘Apply the wash freely’ meant that walls would be splattered and marriages brought to the brink.
As paint companies grew, the formula was no longer a homemade mix and the competing companies improved the mixture; stabilizers were added to the whiting and water, plasticizers strengthened and waterproofed the paint, added fungicides reduced mould, titanium dioxide replaced the whiting (and white lead in oil based paints)and eventually emulsifiers and gels added so we don’t have to mix the paint all the time. The result of all that technology is the modern nostalgia for ‘chalk’ paint- a modern take on ‘Distemper’. See card No 9.
