Spring cleaning is an age-old tradition in many homes. But why do we do it? Is it really necessary in our modern times? Let us take a look at where the ritual of spring cleaning came from and how or if it applies to our homes today.
Historic Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning came about for two reasons. The main reason is that in the past, home were heated with wood, coal or coal oil in less than efficient (compared to now) furnaces and fire places. There were no air filters in place. This caused a winter built up of soot and ash all over the house, from the walls to the textiles of a home. A thorough cleaning was needed to remove all of that dark film that lay everywhere.
Another reason was that people believed that scrubbing everything with vinegar or other solutions was necessary to keep illness out of the home.
Is it Possible Today?
Things are so different today. When it was time for spring cleaning, the entire household buckled down for days to get it done. Most household also included low paid servants, or they hired out just for the cleaning. Kids were pulled from school and neighbors and relatives might pitch in as well.
Can you see that happening today? Many female heads of the household work full time or are busy with active kids. Men are just as busy. We don’t live in a community that shuts down for a few days in the spring just to get the cleaning done. And most of us couldn’t afford the outside help or the live in servants.
Adapting Spring Cleaning for Today
Today, having a daily or weekly home cleaning plan seems to be a better adaption. With a regular plan, spending a few minutes in the morning or at night to tackle cleaning jobs before they get out of control can make it almost seem as if you aren’t cleaning at all. For example, if you wipe down the bathroom sink before going to bed each night, you’ll never have to scrub at built up scum and dirt.
I do think that there is something of yesteryear’s spring cleaning ritual that we can take away with us. And that is to clean those areas that are usually forgotten in the day to day. The little corners that get dusty or full of cobwebs, the chair cushions that need a quick washing or upholstery cleaning, the doors and the fireplace brick, etc. It gives you a good chance to examine each room with new and critical eyes and see those things that need to be done.
What do you think? Will you be spring cleaning this year?