Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning used to be a yearly event that seemed written in stone. Women not only thoroughly cleaned the house; but they also did extra things, like washing windows, sunning or washing bedding, redoing mattress and pillow stuffings, and often scouring the rooms with hot, soapy water to get rid of the vermin.All this cleaning came about without the modern conveniences we take for granted. Cleaning products usually meant soap or vinegar, and many times these were made at home. Without running water in the house, it all had to be carried in and heated in the fireplace or later on a wood stove.

As you can imagine, not everyone appreciated the arduous cleaning tasks. Husbands sometimes complained of cold meals because their wives didn’t have time to cook, and women might dread the heavy work. Emily Dickinson jokingly wrote, “I prefer the pestilence.” But houses had usually been closed up for months during the winter, and, with more people staying inside, they became dirtier. Now with warmer weather, windows and doors could be opened, and insects were not yet a problem like they would be in the summer. Not only did the housekeepers dust, wash, sweep, mop, and beat rugs, but they also wanted to air out and have a fresh smelling house.

Spring cleaning became a monumental task. Most of the household members ended up helping in some way, and it often lasted for a week with the work continuing from early morning until time for bed. The thorough cleaning normally required that everything be removed from a room and the room scrubbed from ceiling to floor. Then, all the furniture would be dusted, washed, polished, or brushed, depending on what kind it was before bringing it back in. Carpets and rugs were even carried outside and beaten with a paddle or stick to remove the dust and dirt. All of this took time, especially in a larger home. However, it felt good to have everything clean and fresh again.

As more and more women joined the workforce and technology made cleaning easier, spring cleaning became a part of history. However, there’s information suggesting we might be healthier if we resumed the practice. Recent articles suggest our airtight houses of today might need cleaning and airing to get rid of toxins that build up, and heavy appliances hide even more allergy-causing dust and dirt. So, what about it? Do you think you want to tackle a thorough spring cleaning?

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