A Townswoman's Life in 17th Century Holland: Cleanliness and Chores

Imagine being a townswoman in 17th century Holland, a time marked by the ‘Dutch Golden Age’. Your life would be centered on the domestic duties of cleaning and maintaining a spotless household. In a period where your home was both modest and sparsely furnished, ensuring its cleanliness was a top priority.

The Art of Cleanliness

Dutch households during the 17th century were noted for their meticulous cleanliness. Foreign visitors often remarked on the tidiness of the Dutch homes. As Rybczynski notes in his writings, the small size of the Dutch home meant that one person, usually the woman of the house, could efficiently clean the entire dwelling. These women were the backbone of the household, handling most of the chores on their own.

According to a recent paper titled ‘Economic Origins of Cleanliness in the Dutch Golden Age’, the cleanliness of Dutch homes can be traced back to the commercialization of dairy farming. Between 1500 and 1800, numerous travelers reported on the thorough cleaning habits of housewives and maids. This meticulous cleaning was not just for appearance; it was essential for the proper production of dairy products.

In the Middle Ages, peasants as well as urban dwellers began producing large quantities of butter and cheese for the market. Women and their daughters worked to ensure a clean environment for curdling and churning. By the turn of the 16th century, half of all rural households and up to one third of urban households in Holland were producing these goods. However, as larger farms were established, these numbers declined, and the direct link between dairy farming and cleanliness was lost.

Chores and Responsibilities

Your day would likely start with cleaning chores. You would begin by sweeping the floors and scrubbing surfaces, ensuring everything from the kitchen to the bedroom was spotless. Cleaning involved not just the interior, but the exterior as well. The Dutch women of the time were known for their keen attention to detail, and this extended to the surroundings of their homes.

While cleanliness was a constant, it was not the only focus of a townswoman's life. Traders and travelers of the time sometimes noted the lesser charms of the Dutch – their fondness for drinking, smoking, and eating. The Dutch are famously described by the later 18th-century author Voltaire, who said that the Dutch "lose their charm quite young as they grow fat early and get stained teeth."

Securing a Clean Environment

To secure a clean environment for dairy products, you and other housewives and daughters would use a variety of cleaning methods. You would use brushes to scrub floors, and perhaps even polish furniture. This meticulous upkeep was necessary to prevent the milk and dairy products from spoiling and to ensure the smooth operation of the dairy business.

Conclusion

The cleanliness of Dutch households during the 17th century was a testament to the hard work and dedication of women like you. Much of this cleanliness can be attributed to the commercialization of dairy farming, although it must also be noted that not all households or women were uniformly occupied with such tasks. Nonetheless, the importance of cleanliness was deeply ingrained within the culture of 17th century Holland, contributing to the prosperity and reputation of the Dutch Golden Age.