Things that used to be common place in people’s homes

[najaB]

Toilet brushes should be banned. Disgusting filthy things.

Do you have some alternative technology in your house for cleaning toilets? I'm almost certain all houses I've been in still have one of these

Toilet paper and wash your hands properly afterwards!

Have I been using toilet brushes wrong my whole life? Is this the three seashells all over again? I need to know!

 

[trainophile]

Not that filthy if you use a decent quality toilet cleaner, and flush the brush when you've finished.

 

[dgl]

Cooker hoods would still seem to be quite common, our flat has one and so does most caravans at work.
As for the simple Bathroom, ours is like that and so is my Grans, although when new it was two separate rooms, with the toilet in one and the bath in the other, IIRC her neighbour still had that set up when they moved out.

Slight topic swerve but I after seeing the paperwork for it the other day I would like to nominate something that wasn't common when it was fitted but is increasingly common now, Solar. My Gran has had a solar hot water system fitted in January 1980!, cost £950 (about £4,200 now) with a discount for allowing them to monitor the system to see how well it was working.
Still fitted although I have no idea of it's effectiveness though it's working light does still illuminate when it's sunny. It heats a tank in the loft using oil that circulates through the panels, this water then replaces the water in the main tank as it's used, as I understand, with a direct feed option available at an extra cost.

 

[PG]

Have I been using toilet brushes wrong my whole life? Is this the three seashells all over again? I need to know!

I've no idea, anyone else know?

 

[ta-toget]

Toilet brushes should be banned. Disgusting filthy things.

Do you have some alternative technology in your house for cleaning toilets? I'm almost certain all houses I've been in still have one of these

The "Flushbrush" (featured on Dragons' Den) was supposed to solve that by leaving the brush part of the brush inside the toilet bowl, with the handle detaching. I'm not sure how well it works in practice, and whether it is actually any more hygienic.

edit: I always wash the toilet brush in the flush after use, and generally only use it with toilet cleaner. They often seem to build up a brown residue, though.

 

[takno]

Have I been using toilet brushes wrong my whole life? Is this the three seashells all over again? I need to know!

I feel the same. I mean surely people can't be using the brushes instead of paper? They'd be too prickly...

 

[PG]

I feel the same. I mean surely people can't be using the brushes instead of paper? They'd be too prickly...

HaHa, you've given me a chuckle - no not what I meant. I was suggesting that an alternative method of cleaning the toilet bowl would be by using some toilet paper, after which you'd need to wash your hands properly!

 

[takno]

HaHa, you've given me a chuckle - no not what I meant. I was suggesting that an alternative method of cleaning the toilet bowl would be by using some toilet paper, after which you'd need to wash your hands properly!

Oh dear me no. I'd be quite happy to use a brush with a disposable end, but I'm not putting my hand in there

On a slightly tangential topic, there was a bit of a fashion for installing bidets in the 80s. I don't know if anybody ever actually used them, but they seem to have died out again now

 

[trainophile]

Oh dear me no. I'd be quite happy to use a brush with a disposable end, but I'm not putting my hand in there

On a slightly tangential topic, there was a bit of a fashion for installing bidets in the 80s. I don't know if anybody ever actually used them, but they seem to have died out again now

I don't think many people used them for the purpose intended, but they would be good for washing your feet, or your smalls!

 

[PG]

Oh dear me no. I'd be quite happy to use a brush with a disposable end, but I'm not putting my hand in there

Too many years working in the NHS - many a 'blockage' had to be resolved by hand!

 

[peters]

Isn't this still the majority of bathrooms in the UK? It's certainly true of most of the flats I've been looking at

A lot of houses which have or have had an older resident have had the bath replaced by a separate shower, as it's difficult for old people to use showers that you have to climb into the bath to access. As I live in Cheshire, where a lot of people choose to retire, maybe it's more common here than in other areas.

There are also some houses which were built in a way which didn't allow a shower to be easily added without the existing bath being removed first e.g. window in wrong place in relation to plumbing

 

[trainophile]

I would never not have a bath in a family type house, I can't imagine washing a 2-year-old in a shower cubicle!

 

[najaB]

I would never not have a bath in a family type house, I can't imagine washing a 2-year-old in a shower cubicle!

That the advice I was given when I was considering ripping the bath out of my last flat and replacing it with a shower cubicle - it makes it a lot harder to sell to family types.

 

[S&CLER]

A lot of houses which have or have had an older resident have had the bath replaced by a separate shower, as it's difficult for old people to use showers that you have to climb into the bath to access. As I live in Cheshire, where a lot of people choose to retire, maybe it's more common here than in other areas.

There are also some houses which were built in a way which didn't allow a shower to be easily added without the existing bath being removed first e.g. window in wrong place in relation to plumbing

I had a bath with a shower over it, and an awkwardly high step to get in, but got it replaced as soon as I could, on the grounds that it was a recipe for potential disaster for one who lives alone. The solution I found was to get a double-sized shower tray which occupies exactly the same footprint as a standard bath (5 feet?). The 4-panel glass shower doors exactly fit the alcove in which the bath stood. It's the ideal solution, with room for a shower seat. Everyone who sees it has made the same remark: you can get two people in there!

 

[xotGD]

Oh dear me no. I'd be quite happy to use a brush with a disposable end, but I'm not putting my hand in there

On a slightly tangential topic, there was a bit of a fashion for installing bidets in the 80s. I don't know if anybody ever actually used them, but they seem to have died out again now

We had a new bathroom installed recently. Including a bidet.

Does the job as intended!

Back to cleaning the loo, hot water, bleach and a rub down with toilet paper when required. Followed by a thorough hand wash.

Returning to topic: Pelmets. Anyone still have them?

 

[Peter Sarf]

It basically just means "Yes, I intend to take this flight so don't sell my seat to someone else at a massive mark-up." I don't think I've ever checked in for my return flight before the departure of the outbound, but then I rarely, if ever, make trips that short.

I recall flying United Airlines to Chicago in Autumn 1996. I booked in very very early. I said to the check in clerk that I suppose I am a bit sad checking in so early. She said oh no sir - this flight is 150% booked. I kid you not. So that leads to the question do people still get bumped ?.

And do people still get upgraded for nothing to first class ?. Only happened to me once - on the return flight to the UK from the above trip. All that space wowee and proper cutlery and plates !. To add the folding table came out of MY armrest as the seat in front was too far away - compare that to airline seating on certain very modern trains !.

In the older style German toilet, rather than your deposit going directly into a pool of water, it would be left on a shelf from which it would be removed by the flush. I've heard that the reason for this, rather than for allowing inspection, was to avoid splashback onto the nether regions.

Oh yes splashback is so unpleasant.

 

[Journeyman]

A chair/stool next to a telephone which didn't have the option of picking up the receiver and walking around with it.

A cooker without a hood over it.

A bathroom consisting of a sink, toilet and bath, with either no shower or a shower you got into the bath to use.

Our main bathroom had sink, toilet and bath with no shower, and our house is only five years old. We bought it when it was very close to completion, and it was too late to get any optional add-ons. There was an ensuite with a shower, but as we didn't want the kids traipsing in to our room to use it, we got a shower added to the bath.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Returning to topic: Pelmets. Anyone still have them?

Yes, pretty much throughout the house.

They are vital, in combination with blackout linings on the curtains, in avoiding any ingress of light into the room at night.

 

[trebor79]

Our main bathroom had sink, toilet and bath with no shower, and our house is only five years old. We bought it when it was very close to completion, and it was too late to get any optional add-ons. There was an ensuite with a shower, but as we didn't want the kids traipsing in to our room to use it, we got a shower added to the bath.

Reminds me of the time early in my career, we had a course near Northampton. So my colleague says, let's stay with my mum and dad, she's a great cook etc. So we did nice meal, nice company, comfy bed. In the morning I wander around (without my specs on) looking for the shower. "It's in there" he says pointing into parents bedroom. Really? "Yes, just go in". So I did, at which point his mother rolled over having been awoken by me opening the door and the bed sheets slipped off her completely nude form.
To this day I still haven't worked out if I stumbled into the wrong room, or they were just a bit odd!

 

[Mag_seven]

Glass doors

 

[Journeyman]

Reminds me of the time early in my career, we had a course near Northampton. So my colleague says, let's stay with my mum and dad, she's a great cook etc. So we did nice meal, nice company, comfy bed. In the morning I wander around (without my specs on) looking for the shower. "It's in there" he says pointing into parents bedroom. Really? "Yes, just go in". So I did, at which point his mother rolled over having been awoken by me opening the door and the bed sheets slipped off her completely nude form.
To this day I still haven't worked out if I stumbled into the wrong room, or they were just a bit odd!

<alanpartridge>These are sex people!!!</alanpartridge>

 

[Busaholic]

Not every one, but most larger Boots still do film processing. More than likely sent away overnight, rather than processed on site though.

I don't think there are any stores that still do processing - until first lockdown, they came back within the week, now they say 9 working days.Prices quite a bit higher than a year or two ago, as well. Seems like only yesterday I took a roll of film into the Boots on Kings Road, Chelsea, ordered the one hour service,went for a coffee in Peter Jones store next day, and it was ready by the time I went back, with change from my ten bob note to boot, but it may have been a bit longer ago than I remember.

 

[Journeyman]

I don't think there are any stores that still do processing - until first lockdown, they came back within the week, now they say 9 working days.Prices quite a bit higher than a year or two ago, as well. Seems like only yesterday I took a roll of film into the Boots on Kings Road, Chelsea, ordered the one hour service,went for a coffee in Peter Jones store next day, and it was ready by the time I went back, with change from my ten bob note to boot, but it may have been a bit longer ago than I remember.

I used Boots one hour labs a few years ago, but then gave up after a few mistakes were made, and the most convenient instore lab closed. I think you're right, I've not seen one in a Boots store for ages. Various other high street places do one-hour film processing, last one I got done in a shop was Jessops in central Edinburgh. I mostly post film away now, to a lab in Burnley that is very good.

 

[najaB]

She said oh no sir - this flight is 150% booked. I kid you not. So that leads to the question do people still get bumped ?.

Yes, especially on US domestic flights, they are almost always overbooked. Spend a little time in a US airport and you'll hear requests for volunteers to take a later flight quite frequently.

If there aren't enough volunteers them somebody's getting bumped.

 

[yorksrob]

<alanpartridge>These are sex people!!!</alanpartridge>

"Don't make the same noise as them Lynn, they'll think you want to join in"

 

[birchesgreen]

Reminds me of the time early in my career, we had a course near Northampton. So my colleague says, let's stay with my mum and dad, she's a great cook etc. So we did nice meal, nice company, comfy bed. In the morning I wander around (without my specs on) looking for the shower. "It's in there" he says pointing into parents bedroom. Really? "Yes, just go in". So I did, at which point his mother rolled over having been awoken by me opening the door and the bed sheets slipped off her completely nude form.

It was then you made your excuses and left?

 

[eMeS]

A copy of Whitaker's Almanac, mine is 1976 and was inherited from my father;
and a British Rail Passenger Timetable - mine is 16 May-2 October 1988; it includes the 1988-89 Passenger Map which lists Jetfoil, Hovercraft & Helicopter routes.

 

[MattA7]

On the subject of German toilets, has anyone noticed toilets in the US have a very high water level (like a UK one when it’s blocked)

 

[Halish Railway]

- Getting an electric shock whenever you touched a TV screen
- That hideous spiral plastering (whatever its called)
- The small earthquake caused by Blackberry phones whenever they recieved a phone call or a BBM message
- Kettles that you had to put on the stove.

 

[peters]

Cooker hoods would still seem to be quite common, our flat has one and so does most caravans at work.

When I said cooker hoods I was meaning the type that seems to be fitted as standard to new builds and whenever someone has a new kitchen, which consists of an extractor fan and light i.e.

Rather than the old fashioned type which had a 'hood' for an eye level grill i.e.

I would never not have a bath in a family type house, I can't imagine washing a 2-year-old in a shower cubicle!

That the advice I was given when I was considering ripping the bath out of my last flat and replacing it with a shower cubicle - it makes it a lot harder to sell to family types.

Whatever you do or don't have in a home when you sell it, it might be someone will factor in the cost of alterations to put it how they want it when considering what offer to put in.

If you don't have a white bath, sink and toilet in good condition there's a chance the potential buyer will plan to replace them anyway, especially if they are the horrible green colour that was popular at one time or if it's an iron bath. Of course the advantage such a house would have is you can use what's there to start with and get it replaced later, while if what you want isn't there you need it fitted before you can use it.

Our main bathroom had sink, toilet and bath with no shower, and our house is only five years old. We bought it when it was very close to completion, and it was too late to get any optional add-ons. There was an ensuite with a shower, but as we didn't want the kids traipsing in to our room to use it, we got a shower added to the bath.

I was more thinking of houses with a single bathroom where if you wanted a shower the available options included fitting one over the bath or removing the bath.