I don't think I ever have done a full Spring Cleaning of a house. My Mom cleaned all the time (or so it seemed to me growing up). True that if the windows were open then dust from the nearby fields blew in and each day dusting was required if you didn't want to be able to write on the furniture. Without air conditioning having the windows open during hot weather in Illinois was a must though.
When I was a very busy young adult I did all my chores on the weekend so the house got cleaned routinely then. Now it is sort of a well, is it dirty enough to need some effort approach. Except this Spring I noticed that a deep clean was needed after 2 years of living here.
Instead of an intensive Spring cleaning drive though I have decided to do one room at a time as the mood and energy strikes me. Thus it will be spread over many months.
So far I've done the smaller bedroom, 2 bathrooms and the dining room as well as the front walk/door/doormat. We also refreshed our little patio area. We finished the den yesterday when we washed the screens and outside of the windows. Which makes me have to mention that we haven't done that in the smaller bedroom yet!
I thinking the hallway with its big closet/linen closet and a random cupboard that has dog things, wrapping paper, etc. is next. Or perhaps the garage before it gets too hot? We'll see.
This has been on my mind too. Luckily I moved into a newly renovated apartment in March so I won't be Spring Cleaning this year. However, since I have carpet and a shedding chihuahua, the vacuum was pulled out over the weekend and the carpet cleaner using water only was wisked over a dirty spot I had managed to track in. Both of these machines require bending at a slight angle that really hurts my low back. I hurry through them and do not do a professionalish job. Since my knees no longer get me up and down without leaning on a sturdy piece of furniture to get up, I am thinking that a cleaning company will be in my future. I had a friend who had a service every other week and really liked the job they did - just the hardier stuff - no clothes, dishes, etc. I can't even imagine what the price will be but I am working on giving myself permission to accept paid help when the time comes. I'm still at the stage that says you can't pay for what you can do. I'll see what stage I'm in in the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying your new apartment! I think the fact that we tend to vacuum the heavy use parts, etc. is one of the reasons I am deep cleaning LOL. Perhaps the cleaning service has a price for occasional heavy cleaning like they do when an apartment is vacated?
DeleteIt is endless...the cleaning! I used to do a week-long, spring break spring cleaning but it ruined spring break for my kids and ME! Since retiring, I still relegate the heavy cleaning to spring but I am spreading it out more, too. Have done our room, the master bath and my loft. The upstairs guest room is on the docket for this week. But I forgot the screens. And it is impossible to clean the second story windows outside very well. Thank you for reminding me of what I had forgotten to do.
ReplyDeleteSorry if I added to your chores!
DeleteI can't believe you've been there two years! It seems like you just left Atlanta... Sigh. I get more of a Spring Throw Things Out urge than a spring cleaning urge!
ReplyDeleteTrust me - I have no cleaning urge but it is really time to do it! And yes, 2 years have passed and we are looking to move again although the thought is exhausting on so many levels.
Delete