9 Time-Tested Skills Amish Women Still Use…That Are Making A Comeback

In an age of smart appliances and one-click shopping, it’s easy to forget the household skills that once kept families well-fed, well-clothed, and financially sound.

But in Amish communities across America, many of these time-tested traditions are still part of daily life—especially among Amish women, the “keepers of the home”.

These aren’t just quaint old habits—they’re practical skills that save money, build resilience, and foster strong family and community ties.

Here are nine household skills Amish women still use today, and why they may just be more relevant than you think.

1. Canning & Food Preservation

From tomatoes to peaches to homemade pickles, Amish women are experts at preserving the harvest. Typically putting up hundreds of jars each summer, they line basement shelves, waiting to feed large families year-round.

To that end, Amish women tap their characteristically large gardens. And for foods they don’t grow, like certain fruits, they simply buy fresh and can. This practice ensures food security, cuts grocery costs, and keeps their families connected to seasonal rhythms.

2. Quilting

More than just a hobby, quilting is both functional and social. Amish women sew quilts that keep their families warm during cold winters—and often contribute to quilt auctions that support church or community needs.

Each quilt is stitched with care, by hand, and can represent weeks or even months of effort. And there’s often an aspect of community in production – quilting bees bring together area women to spend a day working together on a quilt project.

3. Bread & Baked Goods from Scratch

Amish kitchens are known for their warm, comforting scents. Baking from scratch—bread, pies, cookies, soft pretzels—is a daily activity in many homes, offering both nourishment and a way to care for others. It also allows them to avoid preservatives and tailor recipes to their family’s preferences.

4. Sewing & Mending

Many Amish women use treadle sewing machines – as well as doing hand sewing when needed. Instead of tossing torn clothes, they mend them, a habit that extends the life of garments and saves money. It also fosters a culture of stewardship and appreciation for what one owns.

5. Gardening

From sprawling vegetable plots to medicinal herbs, gardens are essential to Amish households. Tended regularly, they provide fresh produce in season and form the basis of what’s canned for winter use.

Herb gardens supply material for home remedies, teas, and seasoning for food. Children often help in the garden, learning about responsibility, work ethic, and the rewards of patience.

6. Soap & Salve Making

Homemade lye soap, goat’s milk soap, and lotions—some Amish women still make their own personal and household products using recipes passed down through generations.

And some women even make these for sale, as in the photo above. Some feel that simple handmade soaps contrast favorably with mass-produced product laden with chemicals and artificial ingredients.

7. Doing Laundry by Hand (and Sun)

Many Amish homes still use wringer washers and outdoor lines to clean and dry clothes. Admittedly, compared to modern America’s standard electric washer-dryer combo, it’s hard work—but done efficiently, with routines and systems that have stood the test of time. Line drying also saves energy and gives clothes a fresh, sun-dried scent that modern dryers can’t replicate.

8. Cooking Without Modern Appliances

Amish women prepare full meals without the help of microwaves, electric mixers, or slow cookers. Many cook over wood stoves or propane ovens, mastering techniques that require close attention and timing—skills many modern cooks have never needed to develop. This hands-on approach cultivates an understanding of ingredients and traditional methods.

9. Making Clothing from Scratch

Beyond just mending, Amish women often sew entire wardrobes—dresses, aprons, shirts, trousers—from patterns they’ve used for years.

This not only ensures modest, practical clothing, but also saves significantly compared to store-bought garments. It also gives them control over fabric choices and tailoring for durability and fit.

Why These Skills Still Matter

These are more than just chores—they’re part of a way of life built around stewardship, family, and faith.

Truth be told, as general society advances, Amish society is not unaffected. Contrary to some myths, Amish communities undergo change, and some – many, in fact – Amish households do make use of store-bought products.

With changing occupations, and women at times involved in outside work, some have become more like “English” households in some ways – opting for the same convenient solutions we do.

Yet even in the more “progressive” Amish homes, there is still an honoring of old ways, even if traditional practices are no longer daily practices in some cases.

These time-tested skills offer value not only measured in practical terms—but practices for a simpler, more grounded life. But are these practical or replicable for non-Amish people?

In a world looking to reconnect with simplicity and purpose, there’s a lot to learn from the expertise of Amish women. But that doesn’t mean that non-Amish people should seek to imitate everything the Amish do. The Amish have certain advantages in their communities that we simply do not.

But choosing one or two or more of these to introduce into your routine might just bring a level of personal satisfaction – along with other benefits like a healthier diet, healthier household budget, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with your family.

You might also like:

• 6 Money-Saving “Secrets” of Amish Women
• Digital Detox: 7 Ways the Amish Harness Tech – for More Peace and a Happier Life
• 7 Amish Habits That Can Save You $10,000 a Year
• Amish Canning Recipes: 15 Favorites

~article created with AI assistance~

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