In 1895 W Jerome Harrison who was the chief science demonstrator for Birmingham School Board wrote the science of Home Life which became the textbook on domestic economy. He maintained that the secret of getting through housework consists of working to a fixed plan. This advice was repeating the generally accpeted  practice of the times even by the poor people who tended to have given days for most mundan tasks. Mondays or Tuesdays  were the normal washing days. His example of a good plan  for washing and cleaning is shown below Monday Brush and put away Sunday clothes Clean Parlour Sort and put clothes into soak Tuesday Washing day Dry and fold clothes Wednesday Mangle, starch, iron and air clothes Thursday Needlework and mending Friday Scrub Bedrooms Saturday Scrub passages, stairs and living room Lay out Sunday Clothes Sunday No washing or Cleaning