Cleaner Collection

Upright Hoover
A mustard yellow Hoover upright vacuum cleaner

Vacuuming a Wireless
Frequent cleaning of a wireless set (radio) can easily be done with use of the spare parts of a Hoover vacuum cleaner

Advertisement for the Western Electric vacuum cleaner with a women patiently cleaning the carpet around her snoozing husband. Lets hope that cigarette falls into his lap and wakes him up. Date: c.1924

Woman performing her toilette with the help of her maid (colour litho)
7201395 Woman performing her toilette with the help of her maid (colour litho) by Rieth, Paul (1871-1925); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman performing her toilette with the help of her maid)

High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, with Rathbone (watchmaker), Mayes (dyer and cleaner), and road sweepers collecting horse manure. Date: circa 1906

Dunville Park and Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Rd. Belfast - a view of a lot of children in the park beside a fountain, there is a park cleaner in centre frame

Advert for Follows & Bates winding machines 1900s
Various machines from the late 19th Century early 20th century, advertised in The Ironmonger Diary and Text Book, for Follows & Bates in Manchester. Circa 1900

The Chess Game, 1896 (oil on panel)
989236 The Chess Game, 1896 (oil on panel) by Deutsch, Ludwig (1855-1935); 55x41.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Chess Game. Ludwig Deutsch (1855-1935). Oil on panel. Signed and dated 1896

A painting of Rama and Sita, India, Jaipur, c. 1800 (opaque pigments, gold
3740160 A painting of Rama and Sita, India, Jaipur, c.1800 (opaque pigments, gold, mica & beads on paper) by Indian School

Advert for Daisy vacuum cleaner 1912
Daisy vacuum cleaner, manual vacuum cleaner using suction to remove dirt. 1912

Railway Cleaner
26th October 1907: A man sweeping a Great Central Railway carriage, at Marylebone. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen (colour litho)
7157455 The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen (colour litho) by Wain, Louis (1860-1939) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Little Miss Pussy Cats helping in the kitchen)

Jesus Christ anointed by a sinful woman at the house of Simon the Pharisee (engraving)
7172445 Jesus Christ anointed by a sinful woman at the house of Simon the Pharisee (engraving) by European School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Wet, wet wet
Julien Oncete

Imperial Vacuum Cleaner advertisement, 1914
Advertisement for the Imperial Vacuum Cleaner from The Electric Appliances Company Ltd, claiming it would last a lifetime and offering the chance for a home demonstration of the machine in action

Thessaloniki, Greece - Bootblack Date: circa 1916

Women Window Cleaners
A group of newly trained Georginas set off for their first job, carrying their ladders and buckets. Date: 1940s

The Bull and Swan Inn, Stamford, Northants (b / w photo)
7162963 The Bull and Swan Inn, Stamford, Northants (b/w photo) by Davie, William Galsworthy (1841-1915); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bull and Swan Inn, Stamford, Northants)

The Story of Cupid and Psyche (panel)
FIT57602 The Story of Cupid and Psyche (panel) by Sellaio, Jacopo del (1441/42-93); 58.4x178.8 cm cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Cup of Chocolate; La Tasse du Chocolat, (oil on canvas)
658381 Cup of Chocolate; La Tasse du Chocolat, (oil on canvas) by Liotard, Jean-Etienne (1702-89) (after); 85.7x55.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Cup of Chocolate; La Tasse du Chocolat)

The Queen of Sheba Worshipping the Wood of the True Cross
BAT235262 The Queen of Sheba Worshipping the Wood of the True Cross, The Reception of the Queen of Sheba by King Solomon (c.1015-977) and The Battle of Milvian Bridge

RIVER NENE
The River Nene, wending its way through the pretty village of Upwell, Norfolk, England. Date: 1950s

Dry cleaners
American Gas Appliance Co. Men Cleaning Overcoats

The "Sweeper-Vac" (b/w photo)
8658819 The "Sweeper-Vac" (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The "Sweeper-Vac." Illustration for The Servantless House by R)

The "Kooksjoie" anthracite range (b/w photo)
8658818 The "Kooksjoie" anthracite range (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The "Kooksjoie" anthracite range)

Linoleum floor in black and white squares (b/w photo)
8658817 Linoleum floor in black and white squares (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Linoleum floor in black and white squares)

Advertisement for Scrubb's Ammonia
5311925 Advertisement for Scrubb's Ammonia; (add.info.: Advertisement for Scrubb's multi-purpose Ammonia. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

A maid, c.1860 (print)
7293403 A maid, c.1860 (print); (add.info.: Society. Economy. Young maid cleaning. Imagery, Epinal, France, ca 1860.); Photo: © Archives Charmet.

Another method of washing for silver (engraving)
8644056 Another method of washing for silver (engraving) by Australian School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Another method of washing for silver)

I watched the girl washing the concrete pavement at the back door (colour litho)
8650812 I watched the girl washing the concrete pavement at the back door (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

"Red Star" washing machine, open (b/w photo)
8658828 "Red Star" washing machine, open (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Red Star" washing machine, open)

A fitting for heating three irons on a single gas ring (b/w photo)
8658827 A fitting for heating three irons on a single gas ring (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Indicating the many uses to which an Electric Suction Cleaner can be put (b/w photo)
8658826 Indicating the many uses to which an Electric Suction Cleaner can be put (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The bed-sitting-room as bedroom (litho)
8658821 The bed-sitting-room as bedroom (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The bed-sitting-room as bedroom)

A well-equipped kitchen-scullery (b/w photo)
8658813 A well-equipped kitchen-scullery (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A well-equipped kitchen-scullery)

A simple dining-room with an "Esse" Anthracite Stove and Painted Wood Kerb (b/w photo)
8658809 A simple dining-room with an "Esse" Anthracite Stove and Painted Wood Kerb (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Votaries of the Weed No 35 (colour litho)
8660525 Votaries of the Weed No 35 (colour litho) by Clarke, Joseph Clayton (Kyd) (1856-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: Votaries of the Weed, No 35. Then there is the enthusiast)

Mr Henpeck doing the work (colour litho)
8635519 Mr Henpeck doing the work (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr Henpeck doing the work. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn.

A housewife's monthly work throughout the year (colour litho)
8634927 A housewife's monthly work throughout the year (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A housewife's monthly work throughout the year)

Dinner table setting, mid 1930s (b/w photo)
8634922 Dinner table setting, mid 1930s (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Dinner table setting, mid 1930s)

Separating diamonds from gravel (b/w photo)
8663721 Separating diamonds from gravel (b/w photo) by European Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Separating diamonds from gravel)

Bath house, 16th Century (engraving)
8663769 Bath house, 16th Century (engraving) by Amman, Jost (1539-91) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bath house, 16th Century)

100 old time Bible words (litho)
8673191 100 old time Bible words (litho) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 100 old time Bible words)

Watering the streets in Alpine Towns (engraving)
8672770 Watering the streets in Alpine Towns (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Watering the streets in Alpine Towns)

Birth of a child in ancient Germany (engraving)
8626221 Birth of a child in ancient Germany (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Birth of a child in ancient Germany)

Newfoundland fisheries - close of the season (engraving)
8676943 Newfoundland fisheries - close of the season (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Newfoundland fisheries - close of the season)

Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho)
8669438 Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Advertising card for the Sweeperette Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan (chromolitho)
8677275 Advertising card for the Sweeperette Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan (chromolitho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

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In the early 1900s, the concept of a "cleaner" took on a whole new meaning. From the upright Hoover to the Western Electric vacuum cleaner, these innovative devices revolutionized household cleaning. Advertisements depicted women patiently using their vacuum cleaners, showcasing how effortless and efficient cleaning could be. But it wasn't just homes that benefited from this technological advancement. Even wireless communication systems were not spared from the power of suction as they were seen being meticulously cleaned by diligent individuals. The bustling High Street in Tonbridge, Kent was no exception to this trend. Follows & Bates winding machines advertised their services with pride, ensuring that every intricate detail was spotless and well-maintained. As time went on, even more advancements in cleaning technology emerged. The Daisy vacuum cleaner made its debut in 1912, promising an even easier way to keep homes dust-free and pristine. Beyond domestic settings, establishments like The Bull and Swan Inn in Stamford, Northants relied on cleanliness to attract customers. A black-and-white photograph captured its charm while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean environment for patrons' enjoyment. Artists also found inspiration in depicting scenes related to cleanliness. "The Chess Game" painted in 1896 showcased meticulous attention to detail as players engaged in a strategic battle amidst a pristine setting. Similarly, "Cup of Chocolate; La Tasse du Chocolat" portrayed an elegant scene where cleanliness played an essential role in creating an inviting atmosphere for indulging one's senses. Even public spaces such as Dunville Park and Royal Victoria Hospital on Falls Rd. , Belfast recognized the significance of cleanliness for health and wellbeing purposes. And let's not forget about those who dedicated themselves to keeping our railways spick and span - railway cleaners ensured that trains ran smoothly without any dirt or debris hindering their journey. Lastly but certainly not leastly (if that is indeed a word), women window cleaners defied societal norms by taking on this physically demanding and traditionally male-dominated profession.