Up the Family Tree: Spring Cleaning

 

Spring Cleaning

 

I spent the bitter cold days of January sitting by the fire planning my spring cleaning--my head filled with visions of a spotless house. I began my project on another cold, snowy day in February. First, I made a list of needed supplies. Then, I ventured to the supermarket and bought a whisk broom, an angler broom and a heavy duty broom. I bought a nylon dust mop, a cotton dust mop and a scrub mop. I bought paper towels, moth balls, a feather duster and three styles of rubber gloves. 

I bought fragrances to make my house smell like a summer breeze, a summer garden and summer greens. I purchased window cleaners, rug cleaners, tile and bath cleaners, floor wax and furniture polish. I didn't forget the soap pads, steel wool or sponges. All that, and it only cost $178.48. I could hardly squeeze into the car for the return trip.

With cleaning products on hand, I made lists of different tasks I hoped to accomplish. To wash or not to wash the windows, that was the question. Should I wash the kitchen curtains? Did I need to paint the kitchen walls? How about new tile in the bathroom?

Only one decision remained before I began my actual cleaning--the scheduling. When did I want to clean the house? Timing is very important. The weather should be warm enough I will not need to light the fireplace again. I certainly could not clean during the week of spring break. Dust cloths, vacuums, pails of water and mops sometimes frightened my children. Easter was also not a good time for cleaning. Easter means Easter eggs and Easter eggs were a problem with more than one child in the house. My four children together amassed about ten dozen hard-boiled eggs each year. It's hard to clean around eggs. It is wise, too, to remember it rains in the spring. No matter how clean a house is, it will not sparkle in the rain.

When is the best time to clean? Well, I could have cleaned last week. It was warm enough. Spring break and Easter are over, and it hasn't rained recently. I would have done it last week too. But, Monday, I shopped with the girls. Tuesday, I played bridge. Wednesday was so pretty I worked in the garden, and Thursday I went with the second grade to the Crayola factory. Friday, you ask?  Well, I wouldn't start a big project like spring cleaning on a Friday. Would you? 

Today, well, why not? Wait, it's sort of hot today, don’t you think?