I have been conscripted into a job of spring cleaning.
I started to think about the topic of spring cleaning. At one time it was strictly done by women. Nowadays this male participates . I'm not sure when the process of spring cleaning started. But I know in rural areas and in housing that we had when I was a child, spring cleaning had to be done.
We had wood and coal heating. The heater was set up in the house before winter started. Coal and wood are dirty and they do not burn cleanly. They leave ashes which had to be taken out of the stove from time to time. All my Mom had to clean with was a broom and a mop.
So by the time spring came the house was very dirty. Smoke and soot came out of the stove pipes that went through the room. Walls had to be washed. Curtains were washed. Sometimes the walls were just given a new coat of paint. Usually my Mom had somebody help her for a week when spring cleaning took place.
Nowadays we don't have most of the stuff my Mom had to clean up. However with central heating and ductwork dust blows around. We have vacuum cleaners and in my case central vacuum systems, to pick up dust.
So in my house spring cleaning is done. Maybe it comes from my rural background and the tradition of spring cleaning continues.
Now I said, I was conscripted. However the Micro manager is not really up to cleaning work anymore. So I've got an early start on cleaning so that I'm finished by the time it turns nice.
I've done two rooms this week. I vacuum curtains, wall hangings. baseboards, closets, furniture, and down all corners and any other place that there might be cobwebs. After this I wash floors.
Now I made the mistake of consulting the micro Manager and much of the stuff around the computer room was neatly organized again. There are a few things I can't find. I found a few treasures in my disorganized mess.
So is spring cleaning just done by old fogies like me?
Hi there. Found your blog by way of The New Dharma Bums. I'm 64 and I've always done spring cleaning. Even when we lived in temperature areas that let you open the house up even in winter. But it was a thing. Now I live where it snows and the house is buttoned up tight. Cooking odors and lack of fresh air are the main culprits. I always feel so good when the job is done. A fresh start!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Hiawatha House. I enjoy my visits to The New Dharma Bums.
DeleteToday's dapper gentlemen help with chores, spring cleaning, organizing and cooking. (My 34-year-old son is one.) Dust still keeps til they get to it. You are most welcome to come to K.C. and clean as you described anytime! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI know I've changed to taking much more of the work for caring for a home.
DeleteGood luck with your cleaning. I remember it being part of the round of household tasks which my mother used to complete every year. My father only really came into the house to eat meals and sleep in those days, spending the rest of his time working on the farm and garden. I tend to clean when I feel like it, which is never quite as often as it needs doing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a much different age for our Dad's . My Dad helped to make it difficult to keep the place clean.
DeleteIt's an interesting question. A gentleman about my age asked me last week if I had done any spring cleaning. I promptly told him 'no one does spring cleaning anymore because we have more routine systems to keep things clean'. Obviously I wasn't entirely correct. Here you are doing spring cleaning but also I have a friend in France who said she won't clean until she no longer needs the wood stove (it leaves ash all over) and I too do wait until there is more light in the day to vacuum and dust nooks and crannies. Then other jobs get done once or twice a year but maybe not in spring. It always feels good to get these bigger, infrequent jobs out of the way. Happy cleaning.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has their own routine. there's never a slow time when you can get period of uninterrupted time.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is nice you are able to help with the spring cleaning. Sounds like you are doing a great job too. Take care, enjoy your day!
Hey, I'm doing all the work. I just need advice from time to time.
DeleteI don't spring clean, I just tackle those deep cleaninng tasks when the mood takes me. An annual event makes a lot more sense.
ReplyDeleteMy mum talks about how she always had to help with spring cleaning on school holidays
It's true that we have other options today so that we don't have to do a complete cleanup.
DeleteI do a lot of cleaning..since I am a neatness freak,so I don’t necessarily just do heavy cleaning in the Spring. It’s more like when the mood strikes me or I am bored. Now that you mention it I have noticed just recently that there are cobwebs up in the corner of the ceiling. It will give me something to do today 🙂 Thanks Red.
ReplyDeleteSomebody in my house is pretty fussy so I have to be very particular.
DeleteWe don't really do specific "spring" cleaning -- we just try to stay ahead of the dirt year-round!
ReplyDeleteGood idea. we also have the vacuum that makes it easier to clean.
DeleteI go on random cleaning jags. I used to be a spring cleaner, but that custom was lost with a work schedule and raising the children. I wonder what will happen now that I'm retired?
ReplyDeleteI think the annual spring clean disappeared with schedules such as women working away from home.
DeleteWe had wood heat well into my teens so I can relate. We do a deep clean once a year but wait until it is warm enough to clean the outside of our windows too.
ReplyDeleteI remember Mom taking things outside and putting them on the line to air out.
DeleteWhen was this time when spring cleaning was strictly done by women? I recall 50 - 60 years ago sweeping up the basement, cleaning out the garage, beating rugs on the clothesline in the backyard. But right now? Surely it's too early in the season for spring cleaning, surely we can put it off for a few more weeks.
ReplyDeleteHey we can do cleaning whenever we want. It's a free country!
DeleteI think it's wonderful that you do the spring cleaning. We don't do much other than vacuum and dust. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe have an average sized house with far too much stuff in it. It needs to be tidied up in a big way.
DeleteI dust my apartment. Every once in awhile I'll wash the floors. No rugs, so no vacuums.
ReplyDeleteWe all have routines that suit us.
DeleteI think the answer to your question is pretty close to yes for most people.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by the comments I'm receiving. there are other options for cleaning.
DeleteI do spring and fall cleaning, though maybe not quite as thoroughly as you describe. Vacuuming curtains?! Wow! I do love all the nifty tips and tricks out there for cleaning too - did you know wiping baseboards with a dryer sheet helps repel future dust accumulation?
ReplyDeleteGood tip on base boards as they are dust catchers.
DeleteWe don't do a spring cleaning, but now that you mention it, it sounds like a great idea. The dust of winter has definitely piled up in so many ways. Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI guess cleaning is very different in different parts of the country because of climate.
DeleteMy carer has gone through her flat and even emulsioned all the walls again. Two rooms have had new curtains and when finished she felt the sofa didnt go with the new decor so she had a new sofa to boot. I don'think the whole business is so necessary these days with fitted flooring, washers and driers, dish washers etc. Well that's my excuse.
ReplyDeleteWe live in much different housing from the time we were kids.
DeleteBeing done with spring cleaning must feel good. I help out too and we live in a small apartment which is great. Cleaning can be done in a day. :)
ReplyDeleteWe live in an average sized house with too much stuff in it . It's a challenge.
DeleteYes I still do Spring Cleaning...I must be an old foggy too! It feels so good when it is all done:)
ReplyDeleteI can notice quite a difference once I'm finished a room.
DeleteWe clean when we see the need. Our baseboards need doing now. That will be done gradually. Regular cleaning will continue as usual
ReplyDeleteI think many people have opted for more regular clean up.
DeleteI don't do it. I clean when the spirit moves me. It's quite different that the days of fireplaces and all!
ReplyDeleteI don't seem to have the spirit hat gets me to clean!!! I need a routine.
DeleteAs a poet and artist, my thoughts are reserved for higher things than cleaning. Make sure you don't vacuum up The Micro Manager in error.
ReplyDeleteThese days the Micro manager has decreased in size so I better be careful!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very nice to help with Spring cleaning. I still do it but not this early because we are still having big snows that often get tracked into the house.
ReplyDeleteWE don't do spring cleaning. We just clean as we go, but certainly not as thoroughly as you seem to be doing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe come spring the windows are washed, but that's about it. Good on you!
ReplyDeleteI don't do spring cleaning but I probably should. There used to be 7 of us living in this house and now we are down to 2. It doesn't get that dirty and if it does, no one sees it!
ReplyDeleteI hired a housekeeper a year ago and enjoy that she does the main stuff and I just pick out projects now and again for intensive work. I used to be a super house cleaner, but no longer seem to care.
ReplyDelete“I vacuum curtains, wall hangings. baseboards, closets, furniture, and down all corners and any other place that there might be cobwebs. After this I wash floors.” Holy smokes, Red. If I lived near Red Deer I would try to hire you to come clean up my place. I’ll bet your place looks great now. Also… that is a neat picture of you and your mom. I have very few like that of me when I was a kid, but I treasure the ones I do have. Lastly, to answer your question … “So is spring cleaning just done by old fogies like me?” Well, I just don’t know about that. But I admire you for setting a good example. :-) Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do new year cleaning. Part of the Asian heritage thing, I think. We like to get everything cleaned and organized for the new year. I think we've always shared cleaning duties. I'm glad you're helping your Micromanager, Red.
ReplyDelete