Alexa, clean the house. It sure would be nice if it really worked that way, right? I was fortunate enough to have a mama who did not work outside of our home, and it was always spotless. She loves to clean! Unfortunately, that “cleaning gene” did not get passed to me. Don’t get me wrong. I do love a clean home, and it’s usually presentable, but it’s top surface cleaning that I do during the week. Some might even call it “a lick and a promise”. I don’t know if most people still do this anymore, but once upon a time, people participated in “spring cleaning”. It even dates all the way back to Biblical times!
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A Brief History Lesson in Cleaning
Perhaps it’s the true homeschooling mama shining through, because this post was never intended to include a history lesson. I ended up on a few rabbit trails about cleaning that I found interesting enough to include!
In Jewish custom, spring cleaning is linked to Passover in March or April, which marks the liberation of Jews from slavery in Egypt. Before the start of the holiday, the Jews were commanded to rid their homes of even a crumb of leaven, or chametz. Since Passover is around April, many consider this the origin of spring cleaning.
The Chinese clean their homes in anticipation of the New Year. They sweep their floors and clean their homes to be rid of any bad luck and misfortune that may have accumulated during the year before. That opens up spaces for the new, good luck to enter.
My favorite is the Iranian New Year tradition, “Khaneh Tekani,” which means “shaking the house”. The ritual has been a customary activity performed by Iranians looking to turn over a new leaf and refresh their homes. Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, from the curtains to the furniture. This allows the new year to start off on the right foot.
Last, I recently learned of Swedish Death Cleaning. Sounds morbid, but think of it as a Scandinavian twist on the Konmari Method. This type of cleaning is more about decluttering and organizing, so that when you’re gone, your loved ones won’t have to do it. Clearing out unnecessary belongings is a good idea at at any age or life stage. This is definitely on my to do list!
Starting Fresh
I absolutely need to do a massive declutter. For now, I’m going to focus in on spring cleaning – just not in the spring. Clean, organized spaces help improve our mood, decrease stress and heighten our creativity. So what better time to do that than the start of a new school year? This type of deep cleaning can likely be done over a long weekend, depending on the size of your home, and your motivation. I have inconsistently spread it out over the summer, but for these last weeks before school begins, I’m digging in with both sponges!
If you don’t have time to complete the entire list, I would recommend the kitchen, and wherever you do school. If you don’t have a dedicated “homeschool room”, it’s quite alright. We didn’t. You may want to check out my post, Homeschooling in Small Spaces, to see how we blend school in our home.
How I’m Shaking the House
I’m starting at the top and working my way to the bottom. I use a check list that you can grab in the Free Resource Library. I designed the list by area, and listed the tasks by top to bottom. The Swiffer Duster is my favorite item for getting the walls and high corners clean before I wipe them down with a mild bleach and water solution. I know, I could be more “green” with my product choices. I also have used homemade cleaning product recipes for weekly cleaning, but for deep cleaning like this, I want it disinfected and smelling like the indoor pool at the YMCA! Of course, use whatever you like.
A good brush set works well for the ridges in the doors as well as the baseboards. Other than that, I have no special tools, other than a handful of microfiber rags. My most recent cleaning purchase has been the Broombi. It does a fantastic job with pet hair, but the verdict is still out on liquids and glass – we’ve had no accidents so far!
With my favorite 80’s music, I scub away! Last, I decide what absolutely needs to go back, and add a little something new. It’s my inexpensive reward for all the work! The improvement in my bedroom is amazing, just by adding a new set of curtains. I also found a fun holder for small things on clearance at Hobby Lobby for the bathroom. Speaking of fun, I also purchased this silly piece for the kitchen. I love quirky things that make people smile!
Motivation and Recommendations
Starting a new school year is motivation enough for me. If you need more than that, check out this article about spring cleaning and your health. I’d love to offer tips on how to clear the clutter, but I’ve got to slay that dragon myself first! So, are you ready to “shake the house”? If so, grab my FREE PRINTABLE, put on some happy tunes, and get to work!
I already have some fantastic books on cleaning and organizing on my bookshelf that I will be dusting off. Maybe I will be able to implement what I learn!
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This is fantastic and motivating! I’m having a baby in six weeks, and I really feel the need to clean everything. Unfortunately, I’m also feeling the need to slow down and rest, keeping my feet up and blood pressure down. I love those curtains so much! I went to order them, but I need a longer length. 🙁
Congratulations on your new baby’s soon arrival! I’ve heard of that nesting feeling, but never had it myself, lol. I’d opt for resting! Thanks for checking out my blog post!