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 Historically, spring cleaning was a response to
being shut in for the winter. It was necessary to clean because of
the soot and grime left from the fireplace. Spring cleaning allowed
homeowners to bring the spring inside with fresh cleaned ceilings,
floors, fireplaces, windows, bedding, and curtains.
When did
'spring cleaning' become a thing?
The commemoration of the freeing of Jews from slavery, the Passover,
is observed in March or April and is started with a cleaning of the
home to remove yeast or yeast bread. Egyptian slaves survived on
unleavened bread so eating food with yeast is unallowable to the
Jewish diet.
It is traditional to clean the house thoroughly before or during the
Great Lent, also known as Clean Week, which corresponds to the
Persian New Year on the first day of spring. This tradition dates to
more than 3,000 years B.C.
To the Chinese, “dust” means “old,” so a year-end cleaning is
necessary to force out old things and get ready for a fresh start.
This spring housecleaning called “Little New Year,” was intended to
get out any negativity and lingering spirits.
Members of the Greek Orthodox Church cleaned the church altar on the
day before Good Friday. Catholic church members clean their houses
for a week leading up to Lent, in March or April.
Regular cleaning is what most families do on a weekly basis. Many
families make a task list together, so everyone is involved in the
cleaning process. The cleaning list can be modified to fit the
schedules of each family member. Spot cleaning once a week helps
keep everyone from having more work to do the next week when it’s
time to clean.
Those who clean regularly have a few tricks up their sleeves that
help keep things tidy and organized:
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Make the bed each morning. Change the sheets each week.
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Don’t wear shoes in the house.
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Clean as they go.
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Open the mail each day.
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Vacuum/Mop the floors.
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Put small kitchen appliances away in a cupboard or pantry.
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Run the dishwasher every day.
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Eliminate junk drawers.
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Clean the bathroom
Spring cleaning the extreme way reaches the grime
and dirt in your home that is overlooked the rest of the year. It is
important to approach spring cleaning with a positive attitude
making sure you plan and have a schedule for when and what to do:
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Vacuum and shampoo rugs.
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Clean windows inside and out, including screens.
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Clean curtains.
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Dust bookshelves and donate old books that have already been
read.
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Clean upholstered furniture.
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Polish door handles, kitchen cupboards, and baseboards.
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Wipe down ceilings and ceiling fans.
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Wipe down light fixtures and lamp shades.
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Throw out expired food, clean out the refrigerator and defrost
the freezer.
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Clean out kitchen cupboards.
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Give the microwave a deep clean.
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Wipe down walls and backsplashes.
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Deep clean bathtub, including faucets and drains.
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Replace shower curtain liner.
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Clean and disinfect toilet.
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Clean mirrors.
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Re-caulk the tub and re-seal tile and grout.
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Flip the mattresses.
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Wash blankets and comforters.
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Donate toys and organize kids closets.
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Each home is different, and each family has their own
way of taking on spring cleaning chores. Cleaning a home from top to
bottom may never become effortless, but there is little more
satisfying than the annual extreme spring cleaning. Don’t expect to
get everything done in one day because extreme spring cleaning takes
time and commitment. Giving your home an extreme spring cleaning can
create more usable space and make it easier to keep living areas
organized.
Spring
cleaning
here are studies that link dirty homes with stress and anxiety for
the family. Our brains can only take in so many stimuli and when the
sights and smells are overwhelming it can be a challenge for our
brains to process everything causing anxiety and depression.
A home is supposed to be a safe place and when the clutter builds up
so does frustration. Even so, we find ourselves holding onto things
as if they are a security blanket. Many keep items because they
“might use them someday” or “just in case” they need them later.
This doesn’t mean you have to throw everything out but spring
cleaning the extreme way can sure reduce stress and anxiety.
#springcleaning
Spring
Decluttering is Better Than Spring Cleaning
The benefits of an extreme spring cleaning seem obvious. Family
members will be less stressed, everyone can be more active and
productive, everyone will sleep better, and there will be less
places for germs, bacteria and molds to hide, keeping the family
healthier and happier. Best of all, by tackling extreme spring
cleaning one task at a time and involving the whole family, everyone
can enjoy the warmer days ahead.
Resources:
The urge to turn your house inside out every April has a long and
storied history
https://www.countryliving.com/home-maintenance/a38381/how-spring-cleaning-became-a-tradition/
A Brief History of Spring Cleaning
https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/14187-a-brief-history-of-spring-cleaning/
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