Welcome Spring
This past week we welcomed spring, and what a wonderful time of year it is. Our friends in the north east may disagree as they are still battling terrible snow storms. But soon the snow will melt, the temperatures will rise a bit and they will be able to enjoy beautiful weather too. I certainly don't know if spring is my favorite season or whether I even have a favorite season, but spring is definitely wonderful. It signifies revival, new life, beautiful beginnings, so I guess it makes sense to get your home beautiful during this time too. Certainly no one wants to be cleaning out in the heat of summer, or cold of winter...and fall is….just not the right time.
The origins of the term spring cleaning is unknown. Many cultures have used the idea of cleaning your home during spring. For the Persian new year - Iranian Nowruz - which falls on the first day of spring, Iranians practice "khooneh tekouni" which literally means "shaking the house". Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned. There is also the idea of thoroughly cleansing your home before Passover and Good Friday.
Growing up I didn't quite remember a big hoopla around getting our home in order at the beginning of spring. We worked on it through out the year. To be honest there was a bigger hoopla to get our home in order for Christmas. I'll save that story for another time.
So what are my thoughts on Spring Cleaning. I think it's wonderful. It will certainly get you started and the wonderful weather may be motivation for you to clean out your garage or get your mess organized.
Here are a few areas of your home you should clean and/or organize this season:
Garage - for most homes the garage is a dozy and can be a challenge to organize. The good news is spring offers the perfect weather to get a job like this done.
Closet/clothes - Use this season as one of your biannual times to purge the clothes in your closet. If you are changing from winter wear to spring/summer wear, then pack away what you what to keep for next year, but also take a minute to get rid of the items your didn't use last season if you doubt you will be going back to them.
Entryway - this area takes a beating, especially during the winter. Take some time once the snow is gone and the weather starts to warm up to give your entryway a proper cleaning.
Windows/windows treatment - time to vacuum or change those curtains or take them to the cleaners. If you're like me and you get tired of the same decor year round, your could make a change to your curtains to brighten your home for spring.
Under the furniture - when last have you clean behind and under your furniture. If your answer is not recently, then now is a great time to start. Move the sofa, the bed and any other large pieces of furniture (yes move them!), and get to cleaning.
Rugs & carpets - if you haven't deep cleaned your carpet recently then now's the time to do so. Get it professionally done or do it yourself, but give that rug some love.
Wash & scrub the walls - while doing this take time to look go areas that may need to be painted/touched up. Also clean light switches and outlet covers.
Washing machine and dryer vent
Baseboards & crown molding - time to get down and scrub.
Light fixtures - this includes ceiling and wall light fixtures as well as floor and table lamps. Also take time to replace light bulbs where necessary.
Ceiling fans
Mattress - Vacuum and deodorizer your mattress and flip or rotate as well. You can also think about steam cleaning or deep cleaning your mattress professionally.
Oven - this should be cleaned more often than once a year, but if you have been neglecting this for a while, get that oven cleaner and get to work.
Behind kitchen appliances - if you are able to move appliances and clean behind them.
Kitchen cabinets - Give kitchen cabinets a good wipe and while you're at it go through your kitchen items and get rid of items you have not used (and don't plan to use).
Now there is certainly no need to only clean these areas of your home during spring of course. Anytime is a good time to clean or organize any space.
