There are many fascinating aspects of the Victorian woman's everyday life.
You will learn about health, beauty and household hints common in the 1800's and early 1900's.
Check back often as I continue to add more to this page. If you have a Victorian hint to share, e-mail me and I will post it here for others to read!
INDEX:
Victorian Pies
Ear Wax Compound
Geranium Powder
Grandmother's Cough Syrup
Rose Water
Rosehip Tea
Lavender Tea
Laundry Stain Removers
How To Remove A Tan
Best Way To Wash Hair
Removing Salt Corrosion
And More...
1860 Journal
VICTORIAN PIES-
Food was very expensive at the turn of the century.
Pies were not always for dessert but were often filled with vegetables and meat. Since flour was expensive most families saved money by making only bottom crusts for their pies.
One way for the rich to show off their staus was to have a top, or upper crust, on their pies.
This earned them the name of the Upper Crust of Society.
Ear Wax Compound
According to the American Frugal Housewife, circa 1832:
Nothing is better than ear wax for chapped lips or to put on small cuts.
Antique Decorum, Etiquette and Manners Books
Victorian Powder Jar
GERANIUM POWDER
I collect 19th century books, journals, scrap books, and diaries. I find it all so fascinating how life was back then! Many of these books are a great source for me as Victorian era re-enactor.
For example, I came across this recipe for Geranium Powder, circa 1890. This was before the days of modern deodorant.
The geranium oil naturally neutralized body odors while the cornstarch absorbed perspiration.
GERANIUM POWDER
1 cup cornstarch 6-8 fresh geranium leaves rinsed and dried
Place the cornstarch in a resealable jar.
Make cuts in the outer part of the geranium leaves to release their oil.
Let leaves sit in covered jar about three days, shaking jar each day to disperse the geranium oils.
After three days discard the leaves. Pour the powder into a dry container, use a powder puff and pat onto skin after showering.
For an even stronger scent put 1-2 drops of geranium essential oil in the covered jar for three days.
My Great-Grandmother's Cough Syrup
Grandma would make her own cough syrup by boiling licorice,honey, lemon juice and rock candy. Once melted together she would add a beaten egg white and a shot of whiskey. The mixture would be cooled then strained and poured into a glass bottle.
She didn't have a written recipe, she told me. She knew by looking at the mixture how much to add and how long to cook it.
My great-grandmother did all of her cooking this way and she was an excellent cook.
Antique Medicine Bottle For Cough Syrup
There's Nothing Sweeter Than Roses
Rose Water
Scald 2 pints of fragrant rose petals in 1/2 pint boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Strain the water through fine muslin and squeeze out all liquid. Discard rose petals. Let rose water cool. Pour into a clean bottle and seal with a cork.
Victorian ladies soaked their gloves in rose water overnight then hung them to dry. A very pleasant fragrance on one's hands indeed.
Rose water was also sprinkled on the laundry before ironing.
Rosehip Tea
Grind dried rosehips with a mortar and pestle to equal 1 Tbsp. Infuse in boiling water 3-5 minutes to make a tisane infusion.
From My Tea Pot Collection
Lavender Tea
Infuse 1 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers in boiling water in a tea cup 3-4 minutes. Remove lavender flowers. Sweeten tea with honey.
Be sure to visit the Recipes page for my own Lavender Scones & Honey Butter recipes.
Laundry Stain Removers
Apply white vinegar to stain. Let dry then launder.
Another hint- Mix 1 quart warm water and 1/4 cup of salt. Once salt is dissolved take a clean cloth and sponge stain with salt water. Let sit an hour then launder.
Victorian Day Dress circa 1900
Victorian Lady Holding Parasol
How to Remove A Tan
Proper Victorian Ladies of the upper class did their best to shield their skin from the sun using hats, parasols and gloves. Should the unthinkable occurr, women had this recipe.
How to Remove A Tan
1 half pint fresh milk 1/2 ounce white brandy 1/4 ounce lemon juice
Boil ingredients together and skim off the top. Allow mixture to cool. Use night and morning to fade a tan.
The Best Way To Wash Hair
Use New England Rum to keep hair clean and free of disease or pests. Once a month cleaning should be sufficient.
Circa 1836 The American Frugal Housewife
Use lemon juice and vinegar mixed to remove salt corrosion on silver salt shaker tops.
OTHER REMEDIES-
To remove moths from a down quilt bake quilt in an oven.
The gall of an ox will set any color in silk, cotton or wool clothing.
Ladies were told to apply arsenic to the face often for a nice pale complexion.
To clean oil paintings gently wash the picture in sweet milk and warm water, drying carefully.
Salt and vinegar will remove tea stains from china.
To remove odors from ice box fill a dish with boiling water and drop in a piece of charcoal.
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Contact Lisa Lewis at (570) 655-8392 P. O. Box 3278 West Pittston PA 18643 E-mail: Lisa @victorianalady.com
Victoriana Lady has been honored to receive donations from individuals who would like their loved ones antique garments preserved and their history shared. Any item, in any condition before 1930 will be cherished and given due acknowledgement in my traveling museum programs.
Please contact me if you are interested in being a part of history
Sincere thanks, Victoriana Lady Lisa E-mail: Lisa@Victorianalady.com
