Spring Cleaning: It's More than just Housework!

It is that time! The weather is starting to warm up a bit. Our lungs, body, and attitudes are ready for a breath of fresh, warm, spring air! All we really want to do is to stand outside, breathe deeply, and just enjoy a break from all the cold. 

It’s also time to do a bit of spring cleaning. But spring cleaning shouldn’t be limited to just washing windows and cleaning the home. Our bodies, minds, and spirits need a good scrubbing as well. 

Listen in and learn ways to not only get your home ready for spring, but to also freshen up ourselves as well!

Transcript

It is that time! The weather is starting to warm up a bit. Our lungs, body, and attitudes are ready for a breath of fresh, warm, spring air! All we really want to do is to stand outside, breathe deeply, and just enjoy a break from all the cold. 

We aren’t the only ones ready for all that freshness. Our homes are, too! But where do you start? Most folks will tell you to start at the top and work your way down. When you clean, any dust, dirt, and cobwebs will fall to the floor. Saving those floors for last will prevent you from wasting your efforts trying to clean them first. 

However, I usually start with the windows. First, take down all the curtains and toss them in the wash. If you use heavier curtains for the winter as a way to help keep your home warm, you may need to either take them to the dry cleaners or hang them on the line to freshen in the breeze. 

Next, wash your windows inside and out. This allows plenty of light to filter in and let you see more clearly the spaces that need to be cleaned. From there, then you can start at the top. Take down light fixtures and wash them. Clean the ceiling fans. Wipe down the trim, upper cabinets, and anything else you see that needs to be clean. 

When that is done, start with the walls. First, wipe down light switches, and carefully wipe down plugs. Do NOT use a wet rag that hasn’t been thoroughly wrung out – you do not want to get water in those sockets! Instead, barely moisten a dry cloth, and work your way around the plate – don’t try to do the socket part. 

The next step is to pull out any appliances possible – such as the refrigerator, and wipe down the outside completely. Vacuum the coils. And clean the wall, floor, and baseboards behind it, before putting it back in place. 

From there, grab a sponge mop. Starting at the top, mop your walls. Squeeze as much water out of the mop as possible to prevent drips and marring the paint. Keep a cloth handy to catch any drips that do happen. 

Now that the top part is done, tackle the oven, sink, microwave, and counters. From there, wipe down any door jambs and doors. Then move on to the baseboards, and ultimately, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping the floors. 

The last thing you will need to do is rehang the curtains. By this time, they should be washed, dried, and ready to go. If necessary, you can give them a quick pressing to give them that fresh, crisp look. 

To spring clean your home, it helps to focus on just one room at a time. If you do it this way, you may want to wait to do all the floors and curtains at the same time. This will prevent you tracking dirt or stirring up dust that may just end up on what you have already cleaned. 

There is nothing better than walking into a home that has been cleaned from top to bottom, and has the aroma of the fresh spring breeze. But spring cleaning shouldn’t stop there. 

We also need a good dose of spring cleaning. This is the time we need to refresh our minds, spirits, and attitudes. 

Being cooped up for the most part during the winter months can cause us to feel sluggish. Our bodies haven’t been as physical as they are during the months we can move around outside. Our minds haven’t been quite as inspired. And our attitudes probably need a major adjustment as well. I know being cooped up can cause me to be a bit cranky.

But before you put on your tennis shoes for a marathon run, you may want to take another day or two to just be still. This is the perfect time to sit outside, do some thinking, and make a plan. Did you dream about things you wanted to add to your spring bucket list? Make notes on what you need to do to accomplish them. 

With all that knitting and crocheting you did, were you inspired to learn how to spin your own yarn? Look into starting with a drop spindle. They are much less expensive than a spinning wheel, and you can create gorgeous yarns with them. 

Spring is also the time our gardens need to be prepped and planted. But don’t stop with making rows. Get creative. Make row markers and trellises this year. It’s a great way to add fun and whimsey to your garden. 

Or – plan to do some fun activities with your family this year. Now would be a great time to plan a scavenger hunt, make a life-size board game, or look for fun places to have a picnic. 

And one of the best things you can do is just sit still, soak up some sun and fresh air, and breathe. Don’t think about anything. Don’t try to make a detailed plan. Just be. Count your blessings. Let a smile cross your face, and then let it sink deep into your heart. 

Spring represents a new beginning. When you spring clean your home, you open it up to a fresh round of family, fun, and hospitality. 

When you do a personal spring cleaning, you open yourself up to fresh ideas, new opportunities, and it can strengthen your determination. 

And once the work is done, you will definitely be happier, have a deeper sense of contentment, and discover you are thrilled to have started this Simple Life Journey in the first place. You finally have the time to Relax and Enjoy!

If you want to learn more about the topic at hand just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . 

If you have questions or just want to stop in for a visit, you can do that through email at thevirtualporch@gmail.com. And be sure to subscribe – you don’t want to miss a single conversation. I'll be sitting on the porch every Monday morning waiting for your visit!

Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting on the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.