Spring Cleaning 101 Brief History & Tips
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It’s that time of year again when our thoughts turn to refreshing our homes with a good spring clean. Spring time is a time of rebirth and renewal. After a long, cold, dark winter we want to embrace a brighter and more energized home. Deep clean all the areas that don’t normally get cleaned. Today we can deep clean our interior areas at any time of year that works for us. As the weather warms though, we can also tackle more outside tasks, like washing windows and cleaning out the garage.
A brief history of spring cleaning...
The practice of spring cleaning has been around for thousands of years, originating in different religions and cultures.
- Doing a deep cleaning may have started for the ancient Iranian Festival of Nowruz. It’s also known as the Persian New Year, and commences on the first day of spring, March 21st.
- To prepare for the Passover feast, around April, the Jewish custom is to thoroughly clean the house to remove traces of unleavened bread.
- Catholic Greek Orthodox church encourages cleaning on the first day of Lent, known as clean Monday.
- The Chinese New Year cleaning tradition, although not in spring, starts the 28th day of the Lunar calendar, for the holiday of Ninyabaat.
- In northern Europe and America, where the climate is cold and damp, the practice of spring cleaning started for a more practical purpose. As the weather grew warmer, the homes didn’t require heating anymore and soot and ash marks could be removed. When dusting, the windows could be opened to allow fresh air in but it was still chilly enough to keep out any insect infestation.
Benefits of spring cleaning...
Spring cleaning can have many health benefits both mental and physical. It can help reduce stress and anxiety in a cluttered home. If you’re looking for a fresh start in your life it can help to start with your home environment. Many people are allergic to dust, or have asthma (like I do) which is triggered by dust. Doing a deep cleaning periodically can also be a deterrent for insects and other pests. You will be able to assess your things and determine if anything needs repair or if you no longer want to keep things.
General spring cleaning tips...
You can start with your regular cleaning in a space, if you like, and then get into the deep cleaning of other things you don’t normally do. Or just schedule the deep cleaning tasks on a weekend when you aren’t so busy with the day-to-day stuff. Some things should be done more than once a year.
Clean from the top down...
In all cleaning jobs it is best to start at the top and finish on the bottom. Gravity will help any dust or dirt disturbed from light fixtures, shelves, walls, etc. fall to the floor. Sooo…sweep, vacuum, and/or mop your floors last.
For every space ..
Some things to do in every room are:
- Dust/clean light fixtures and ceiling fans. Use special cotton gloves for crystals and LED lightbulbs.
- If there is a dome shape on the light fixture, remove it to wash. (Sometimes bugs get in there.)
- Either dust or wipe down walls with a slightly damp, clean mop if required. Use a mild soap or cleaner for heavily stained, dirty areas. Test cleaner on a small hidden area first to make sure paint isn’t damaged. You might be able to just spot clean dirty areas.
- Wash windows inside and out.
- Clean dust off drapes. Wash if washable, or vacuum or use a lint roller.
- Clean blinds.
- Wash floor as required for material. Use only a slightly damp mop on hardwood floor.
- Steam clean upholstered fabric chairs, sofas, etc..
- Steam clean area rugs & carpets.
Room by room checklist...
Laundry Room...
- Clean out filter in front loading washing machines every two months.
- Put vinegar through a wash cycle.
- Wipe out the seal with vinegar & water to get anything out that may be trapped in it.
- Vacuum dryer filters and inside as much as possible and clear vents.
- Wipe out the washer and dryer, inside and out.
Kitchen...
- Clean oven. If you have a self cleaning one you can put it on & then wipe off, inside and out.
- Thoroughly clean elements and element trays on electric stoves and around burners on gas stoves.
- If you have a glass top you can use a special cream cleanser and a razor blade for burnt on spills.
- The fridge should be thoroughly cleaned out more frequently. Take drawers and shelves out and wash all with hot water and dish soap.
- Take everything out of cabinets and wipe out any dust or crumbs.
- Wash any dusty, seldom used dishware.
- Declutter items you no longer need or want. (You knew I was going to say that.)
- Clean stove hoods and wash filters in hot soapy water.
- Wipe the outside of all cabinet doors and drawers.
- Reseal countertop, if required (for natural, stone counters.)
Dining-room...
- Polish wood furniture with lemon oil or polish of your choice.
- Wipe down all hard-surface furniture.
- Wash or dust off any decor.
- Polish silver.
Living-room...
- Wash windows.
- Clean dust off drapes. Wash if washable or vacuum or use a lint roller.
- Clean blinds.
- Polish wood furniture.
- Dust lamps.
- Wipe down all pictures and decor items.
- Dust off books.
- Clean behind the TV and all electronics. Do not use water on electronics.
Office...
- Clean dust from computer and electronics. Do not use water on electronics.
- Go through files and purge as much as possible.
- Shred anything with personal information.
- Declutter office supplies.
- Reorganize.
Bathroom...
- Thoroughly clean bathtub, shower, sink and toilet. (This should be done frequently, depending on your family situation.)
- Clean out any cabinets, closets and vanities and wipe down inside and out.
- Declutter expired or unwanted items & reorganize.
- Take down fan grill and wash in hot soapy water. Wipe dust off fan blades (when turned off, of course.)
- Wash shower caddies, waste cans, and other accessories.
- Clean shower curtain rod and rings.
- Wash shower curtain and change out liner if needed.
- Clean grout in tiles if necessary. (Gel toilet bowl cleaner works well for this.)
Bedrooms..
- Flip mattress over if possible or rotate top to bottom.
- Steam clean mattress to refresh.
- Dust and polish wood furniture.
- Clean out night stand and dresser drawers.
- Declutter unwanted items.
- Wash all bedding, including comforters and pillows.
- Change seasonal bedding to lighten up.
- Reorganize.
Kids' rooms...
Do the same for kids’ rooms as other bedrooms plus:
- Go through toys and books to declutter unwanted or broken items if child is too young to do themselves. (Help your older child do this until they can do it themselves.)
- Wash stuffed animals.
- Dust shelves.
- Clean out toy boxes.
- Wash any other toys as required.
- Reorganize.
Linen & Utility closets...
- Empty shelves and wipe down.
- Declutter expired items.
- Inspect towels and linens and declutter unwanted items.
- Reorganize.
- Clean the cleaners. (ie. broom, mops, brushes, vacuum cleaner, etc.)
Garage and Sheds...
- Remove everything from space.
- Clean light fixtures.
- Sweep out all dust and cobwebs, etc.
- Declutter unwanted items.
- Reorganize.
Basements, Attics or other storage rooms...
- Remove everything from space.
- Check for expired items to go to hazardous waste disposal.
- Clean light fixtures.
- Sweep out all dust and cobwebs, etc.
- Declutter unwanted items.
- Reorganize.
Vehicle...
A few things to spring clean outside...
- Thoroughly clean barbecue and oil.
- Pressure wash decks and vinyl siding.
- Clean out gutters.
- Clean patio furniture.
- Rake yard.
- Clean out flower beds.
- Prep garden beds.
You can watch the video here...
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