Ever wondered why those dramatic serials on daytime TV are called “soap operas”? The answer goes back to the early days of radio and television. In the 1930s and 1940s, serialized drama programs were hugely popular among homemakers, who made up the majority of the daytime audience. 

These shows were often sponsored by cleaning product companies, who used the opportunity to advertise their products directly to their target market. The “opera” part comes from the melodramatic, emotional storylines that mirrored those of traditional operas, albeit set in suburban kitchens and living rooms. 

Thus, the term “soap opera” was born, and cleaning and storytelling have been closely tied ever since. It’s fitting, because cleaning, much like storytelling, is an act of care that weaves together the fabric of our daily lives. Each sweep, scrub and tidied space tells a story of love—for our homes, for those we share them with and for ourselves. In this way, cleaning goes beyond a chore and becomes an ongoing narrative of care and connection.