spring cleaning

Does anyone really do spring cleaning anymore?  It was more of a necessity back in the day when fireplaces were the main source of heat during the winter and the rugs and drapes needed to have the soot shaken out.  But spring is still the most popular time to do a deep-clean around the house, purge and organize (my favorite things!).  And after the 3-month spending hiatus, I feel some major purging coming on.  I did a bit during the last 12 weeks, but not nearly enough.

Martha has a nice Spring-Clean Your Life gallery which is based on the book Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear Your Clutter, Find Your Life by Gail Blanke.

photo from Martha Stewart

Comments

[kathleen]

Yes, but spring cleaning can take place indoors or outside. I've been working on the outside, weather permitting.

[Positively Present]

I'm a pretty big clean freak, so I feel like I'm always cleaning. It's not necessarily a "spring" thing for me -- it's pretty much a seasonal thing. I love to purge my room and apartment of all the things I don't need. While I'm doing this, I think about moving and ask myself, "Would I want to drag this along if I was moving?" This is usually a great way to get rid of things because we all know what a pain moving can be.

There's also a local place near me that buys used clothing. Almost every time I go, I make over a $100, which is always a very inspiring reason to clean out one's closet.

I'm sure you're probably already a fan, but Real Simple magazine has a great website (www.realsimple.come) that has lots of great ideas and tips for cleaning!

[Kerry]

I like to air out the house whenever we get a warm-ish sunny day. I try and deep clean the things that get a bit neglected, especially in the kitchen. I think it's a 'coming out of hibernation' mentality!

[v8grrl]

I am NOT a big cleaning person, but we do Spring Clean...
it's the rites of passage for the fresh air and Spring....
Ceiling Fans...new sheets,closets, under the bed (we have kids) open the windows and breathe...
it helps you get your priorities in line for what you want to do with the change of seasons
v8

[Dizzydi]

I've been spring cleaning my home this easter, but I really ought to find 50 things to throw out too. Or maybe I should begin to throw out something everytime I buy something new...just to avoid overloading my home.

Hmmm...sounds like a plan. Don't think I'll be able to stick to it though.

Hello, by the way, from a new reader of your very lovely blog :)

/Dizzydi

[Quoizel]

I always spring clean my home> It is a good excuse to tear everything out and give a good scrub down.

[Eco Friendly Furnishings]

Love when spring comes along! Nothing like opening up the house and feeling the fresh air while cleaning. There are some awesome Eco-Friendly cleaning products out there too these days! Nice post.

[rachel]

Spring cleaning for me has more to do with light and optimism than the often-unpredictable season itself - suddenly, the days are longer, the light is stronger, and all those unnoticed dusty corners and sneaky winter spider webs are visible. And then the pleasure of being able to leave doors and windows open, to hang washing on the line, connects me to the outside of my house too, and I notice the lovely little things, the buds and fresh new leaves, that inspire me to breathe fresh life back into my home.

PS I'm a new reader, and will certainly come back.

[Cody]

I still do spring cleaning every year, it is a good way to clear out some clutter and get organized after the holidays. Plus kids are out for spring break so its a good time to put them to work

[David Lillie]

I actually do have to confess that whenever the sun is out, I get a desire for making things glimmer. My wife and I normally begin in January or February with one room at a time while giving it a very good, thorough, cleaning.

[Kelly]

I used to do spring cleaning with mom when I was young… now I have no time for cleaning… I think cleaning process itself is very tiring and time consuming…. I hire maid services from princess maid services and they do their job very well … I can have more time to work and earn money instead of cleaning