15 Daily Chores That Were Way Harder Than They Are Today
Before modern tools and tech took over, everyday tasks demanded far more time, effort, and stamina.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
From cooking to cleaning, the daily grind used to be a real workout. Without smart devices, shortcuts, or automation, even the simplest chores took grit and elbow grease. Here are 15 household duties that used to wear people out way more than they do now.
1. Doing the Dishes by Hand
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Before dishwashers, every plate, pot, and fork had to be scrubbed, rinsed, and dried. It wasn’t just after dinner—dishes piled up all day.
2. Sweeping the Floors
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Vacuum cleaners weren’t always around or affordable. You had to rely on brooms and dustpans, and cleaning carpets was a nightmare.
3. Ironing Clothes
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Today’s wrinkle-release sprays and steamers make things easy, but back then, irons were heavy and had no temperature control.
4. Heating the House
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Thermostats didn’t exist in many homes. You fed a wood stove or coal furnace by hand and kept it going all day.
5. Cooking from Scratch
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No frozen dinners, no pre-chopped veggies—just raw ingredients and a lot of prep. Meals took hours, not minutes.
6. Washing Laundry
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Without washers and dryers, laundry meant filling tubs, scrubbing manually, wringing, and line-drying. It was a full-body workout.
7. Grocery Shopping
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No online orders or big-box stores meant more trips to multiple markets. You carried bags yourself and had to plan meals tightly.
8. Cleaning the Bathroom
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There were no scrubbing bubbles or disinfecting wipes—just brushes, bleach, and brute strength. Removing soap scum and hard water stains took hours.
9. Mowing the Lawn
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Push mowers without engines made grass-cutting a sweaty battle. They jammed easily, and thick patches needed real muscle.
10. Caring for Kids
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There were no tablets, streaming, or baby gadgets. Entertainment meant reading aloud, playing games, or just running around outside.
11. Preserving Food
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Canning, jarring, pickling—before big freezers, this was survival. Boiling jars, sealing lids, and storing them in cool cellars was a seasonal ritual.
12. Making the Bed
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The beds weren’t memory foam with easy-to-tuck sheets. They were all hospital corners, flat sheets, and heavy quilts.
13. Shoveling Snow
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Snowblowers weren’t always around, so it was you, a shovel, and a lot of effort. Long driveways took hours.
14. Cleaning Windows
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Forget spray-and-wipe—people used vinegar, rags, and lots of arm work. Inside and out, every pane was hand-polished.
15. Managing Trash
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Before garbage trucks came weekly, you burned, buried, or hauled your own waste. Metal cans were heavy and rusted quickly.