Edwardian and Hong Kong Bathtub Covers?
I was browsing online through some old newspapers and found this little tidbit from the year 1910 that I found interesting, but odd. It suggests that the enamel bathtubs of the day were so difficult to clean that creating a sort of drawstring cover to go over the top of the tub would keep it cleaner. You would remove it when needing to take a bath, and put it back on when not in use.
I know that during this time period they did not bathe daily, so I guess the tub would get dusty in between uses? It is the only reason I can think to have such a thing. Or perhaps there is some other thing I am missing as to why this was thought a good idea.
On a somewhat similar note, I have seen products for sale from Hong Kong websites (where space is at a premium...very tiny living spaces there) that are basically a few boards covered with cushions that one would place over the top of the bathtubs (usually of a sleek, rectangular and very modern looking design) to turn the tub into a bench that one could lay or sit upon. (These would probably also, incidentally, help keep the dust out of the interior of the tub too.)
Image Credit » http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1910-12-11/ed-1/seq-20/
Comments
Fractal wrote on September 4, 2014, 10:28 PM
How very odd. I am at a loss to explain such a thing. If space is limited and the bath is in a living-room, then I can see that a covering to add to sitting might be useful. But to cover it just for its own sake... weird. :)
LeaPea2417 wrote on December 29, 2015, 12:24 AM
That is very interesting. I didn't realize those old time bath tubs had bath tub covers.