Cleaner Collection (#4)

A housemaid, 1850 (engraving)
3477981 A housemaid, 1850 (engraving); (add.info.: Cartoon depicting a housemaid with a broom. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

A dry dock which were used to repair ships or clean their bottoms, 1850
3330904 A dry dock which were used to repair ships or clean their bottoms, 1850; (add.info.: Sectional view of a dry dock which were used to repair ships or clean their bottoms)

Penrith, Plague Trough (litho)
8633428 Penrith, Plague Trough (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Penrith, Plague Trough, Used for washing money during the great plague)

Commands: Wash your hands (colour litho)
8645085 Commands: Wash your hands (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wash your hands)

Sheep washing (engraving)
8647823 Sheep washing (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sheep washing. Illustration for The People's Magazine (January to June 1871)

Washing the feet of a stranger in India (engraving)
8658529 Washing the feet of a stranger in India (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Washing the feet of a stranger in India)

When Mother baths the kids (colour litho)
8656901 When Mother baths the kids (colour litho) by Browne, Tom (1872-1910); Private Collection; (add.info.: When Mother baths the kids. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

The "Three-Minute" bread-maker (b/w photo)
8658829 The "Three-Minute" bread-maker (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The "Three-Minute" bread-maker)

An American kitchen cabinet (b/w photo)
8658815 An American kitchen cabinet (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An American kitchen cabinet)

A slate on the back door is very useful for the servantless house (b/w photo)
8658834 A slate on the back door is very useful for the servantless house (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Bellows machines (b/w photo)
8658824 Bellows machines (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bellows machines)

A sitting-room fireplace that needs a minimum of attention (b/w photo)
8658811 A sitting-room fireplace that needs a minimum of attention (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

New Testament: A Lesson in Humility (colour litho)
8658775 New Testament: A Lesson in Humility (colour litho) by Copping, Harold (1863-1932); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Lesson in Humility)

The White Swans (chromolitho)
8675869 The White Swans (chromolitho) by Havers, Alice (1850-90); Private Collection; (add.info.: The White Swans. Illustration from The White Swans and Other Tales by Hans Andersen)

Wood Lane Open Air School, Shepherd's Bush, London (b/w photo)
8664271 Wood Lane Open Air School, Shepherd's Bush, London (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: School without walls)

Water supply of a house (litho)
8663757 Water supply of a house (litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Water supply of a house)

Sketches at Holloway prison (litho)
8673266 Sketches at Holloway prison (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches at Holloway prison. Daily life in prison)

Cleaning the fountains of Paris in the morning (colour litho)
8673258 Cleaning the fountains of Paris in the morning (colour litho) by Jeanniot, Pierre Georges (1848-1934); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cleaning the fountains of Paris in the morning)

Soapine household cleaner. Late 19th century (American trade card for Kendall Manufacturing Company, Providence)
538729 Soapine household cleaner. Late 19th century (American trade card for Kendall Manufacturing Company, Providence, Rhode Island)

Carry On; I'm Busy
Anthony Bates

Practical Religion
Philip Sutton

Mop
Ali Ayer

Woman at Work I
Tahsin Gun

Swipe
Luc Vangindertael (laGrange)

window cleaner
Roswitha Schleicher-Schwarz

U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914. Creator: Harris & Ewing. U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914
U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914. African American custodians cleaning spittoons, Washington DC

U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914. Creator: Harris & Ewing. U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914
U.S. Capitol - Cleaning Interior, 1914. African American custodians cleaning spittoons, Washington DC

Women Admiring Peonies, c. 1789/1801. Creator: Katsukawa Shuncho
Women Admiring Peonies, c. 1789/1801. Detail from a larger artwork

The New Maid, 1909. Creator: Anders Leonard Zorn
The New Maid, 1909

The New Maid, 1909. Creator: Anders Leonard Zorn
The New Maid, 1909

cleaning time
Fatma GÖKMEN

Pink Door with a Blue Window
Tom Windeknecht

A woman too fat for the donkey ride (colour litho)
3094552 A woman too fat for the donkey ride (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A woman too fat for the donkey ride)

The Rolls Rapide Twin Tub washing machine - look what you get! A bargain at 39 guineas! Date: 1961

Victorian satirical cartoon, Brothers of the Brush, Artist and cleaners
Vintage engraving of a Victorian satirical cartoon on the Brothers of the Brush. The Artist, shoeshine, street cleaner and chimney sweep all living in poverty

My cleaning lady, 1905. Creator: Georg Pauli
My cleaning lady, 1905

Window washer
Charles Lai

Spiral Stairs
Christian Lindgren

Cleanliness. The Stork. - Stork or Marabout, all of our breed, destroy snakes, rats and mice, Explore streams
8600276 Cleanliness. The Stork. - Stork or Marabout, all of our breed, destroy snakes, rats and mice, Explore streams, search rubbish, We are sanitation agents

Mopping the mess
Julia Ramiro

Satan Bless This Mess
Julia Ramiro

wipe away
ambra

the girl's car
Piet Flour

Aftermath of the Oasis concert at Knebworth, Hertfordshire. 12th August 1996

The British Museum, London. 1930s

A view of London, looking down Whitehall, taken from the top of Nelsons Column as it is being cleaned. Trafalgar Square, London, 2nd March 1968

Actor Michael Crawford works out on the high wire with a charlady sweeping the floor. 8th April 1981

Big Ben has its face washed in a clean up of the tower The Westminster Clock Tower, better known to most of us as " Big Ben", is given a spruce up in the summer of 68

For sale as Licensed Images

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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.