Every year around the months of March and April we hear people talking about it, we read about it in magazines, and see thousands of pins on Pinterest about it.
What could I be referring to?
Spring Cleaning!
We all use the phrase freely but do you know where the expression ‘Spring Cleaning’ actually comes from? I had no idea, so I took to Google for some answers!
The history of ‘Spring Cleaning’ tells us that back in the ‘olden days,’ spring cleaning was a much different concept than it is today. Prevalent in climates with cold winters, this type of cleaning was a necessary routine because of how people had to heat their homes and keep them lit. They would use kerosene, wood, gas, oil, and candles which caused the home to develop a dark, sooty grime around it.
The arrival of spring signaled warmer temperatures and the need to clean the ash, soot, and grime left behind on household surfaces. Thus, the notion of ‘Spring Cleaning’ was born. Thankfully, most of us have modern heating systems and have an easier spring cleaning routine. Although we have modern-day cleaning supplies, I for one am grateful that I don’t have to deal with such a mess!
Today, we do not do ‘Spring Cleaning’ for the same reasons our ancestors did. In the 21st century, most people think of ‘Spring Cleaning’ as a time to throw open the windows, exchange their sweaters for lighter-weight clothing, and clear through clutter that has collected as we burrowed in our homes during the months of winter. It’s a time to re-energize our bodies and our homes for the coming seasons.
Warmer weather is on the way! Look at your calendar…when will you make an appointment to start your Spring Cleaning?
Stacey is a Professional Organizer, Virtual Organizer, and Author in Bergen County, New Jersey specializing in home organizing, time, and paper management. She is the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook: Let Systems and 101 Modern Sample Thank You Notes Take You From Overwhelmed to Organized.
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I loved the history lesson. I remember growing up in a home with one central source of heat, the coal burning fire place. We would always have soot residue, and in the spring cleaning the windows was major job.
Thanks, Jill. I’m always fascinated by the history/background of things. There’s also historical evidence of various cultures and religions doing their own sort of ‘spring cleaning’ centuries ago I wonder what ‘spring cleaning’ will mean a hundred years from now!
I’d never thought about this stuff – thanks for researching and sharing!
Glad I could give you some ‘food for thought,’ Janet. Despite the small piles of snow still lingering, we started doing some Spring Cleaning this weekend and boy, did it feel good!