As Winter Wanes, Renewal Begins With...

Winter is a time for slowing down, resting, and renewal of the entire being. A time to take a break from the stresses, hurry, and worry of life. If you live in a large metropolitan area, you may not reap the benefits of the longer darkness winter brings. If you work long hours then the rest and renewal of winter may not be yours to experience. There are activities around the house that will help you settle in and gain a bit of extra time for yourself though. This year can be the start of a seasonal regimen that will enable you to experience more of the natural flow of life despite a full work schedule.

Spring cleaning has been a "thing" for as long has been recorded. Every culture in the world has a "Right of Spring" cleaning/cleansing ritual of some sort. A house must be cleaned of every crumb of leavened bread before Passover starts. In Southeast Asia they use water to purify, cleanse, and rid the home of bad luck. Persians eat special foods and clean the house from top to bottom after which they bring in the fresh flowers of Spring. You may find an urge to start moving earlier in the day as the light regains control over Winter's darkness. This is considered to be an ancestral memory and a biological need as the body starts producing less melatonin. When the hormones of winter begin to fade, we are feeling lighter and invigorated.

Your personal Spring cleaning ritual isn't something to dread and cleaning one's space is usually not on the top of anyone's list of energizing tasks. It may be especially daunting for those on whom the demands of work a day life are taxing and time consuming. Very little of a good Spring clean must be done in a single shot. Little tasks done for 5-10 minutes each day will bring to fruition the Spring clean desired. If you can commit to just 5-10 minutes a day during the week, and a bit more time on weekends, then your tasks will be lighter and your personal time better for the undertaking.

Start your Spring clean with something easy. It takes about 10 minutes to clear a kitchen counter and scrub it clean including the backsplash behind it. It will take bit longer to clean all the appliances, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Repeat this ritual for all counters in the kitchen until you get to the oven. Don't despair, many ovens are self cleaning now and if you have one, use the setting and the resulting ash pile is about 10 minutes to clean up along with the glass and wiping the walls. Turning on your favorite tunes and having a little dance break here and there makes the job more fun. Take before and after photos... it helps you feel accomplished.

Floor maintenance is so much fun in Spring. Just think of all the interesting things you will rediscover once you move all that furniture. The keys you lost, coins in the couch, the cat barf you heard but could never find. One piece of furniture a day. Take the cushions off and fluff them up. If you can, take them outside and beat them up. Leave them in the fresh air and sunshine for a few hours. Move the item and vacuum, but not just where it was sitting. Vacuum the baseboards and the furniture. Take a damp cloth and wipe down the baseboards and any parts of the furniture that water and a bit of cleaner are Ok to use. If it is a wood piece, then use furniture polish or oil. Take care to clean off all the accumulated hand and body oils that attracted dirt to them over winter. Repeat this until all the furniture has been attended to.

The bedroom poses different challenges. There is the bed. If you have a large bed and a big console type bedframe then moving it to clean may require you to entice a friend over to help. Offer them a beverage of choice, good camaraderie, and a meal or going out for helping. You will be surprised at the willingness if it is a single task with a finite ending and food/drinks are supplied! Let's talk about the closet or wardrobe. Winter clothes may need to be packed away. This is a good time to determine what you don't use and no longer need as far as clothing and shoes go.

The bathroom. Let's face it, the thought of tipping the lid of the porcelain God thrills no one. Unpleasant sights are seen when we lift that lid. If you are male, make sure you pay particular attention to the front, outside of the bowl because, even if you have the best aim, there will be residue of a yellow nature that accumulates. This is the one room of the domicile that requires a bit of OCD. Change the towels, bathmats, washcloths, and anything else that can be washed. Get a toothbrush with some soap and bleach for the caulking. Preventative maintenance is a part of Spring cleaning and will save you money in repairs if you fix the little things before they become big things requiring a professional. Get after the grout in the shower and take that shower head off to soak in bleachy water for a couple of hours. If you have hard water, a soak in a product for taking off that residue is also recommended and may increase your water flow.

Get the carpets cleaned or do it yourself. In many climates, winter is a wet, muddy, and salty affair that gets tramped into the house. Not even a Dyson can get all that grime out without a good steam cleaning! Fling open the windows and wash them inside and out. Clean all the plastic/wood/metal that surrounds the windows and don't forget the handles. Oil the hinges and check the rubber seals. Replace any that are cracked or broken. These little tasks will save you money in fuel savings. If the seals are in good repair, your cool or warm air will stay inside! One window at a time only takes about 5 minutes to complete.

Lest we forget, the outside of the house requires cleaning too. Renting a pressure washer will save you time and energy. There are inexpensive handles to purchased for about $20 that attach to a hose. Get after the rafters, walls, walkways, and stepping stones. This task is a lot of fun if the weather is warm enough, and who doesn't love a good water fight! Combine the outdoor cleaning with a BBQ and invite friends over to help you celebrate the conclusion of your Spring cleaning. Sit back, savor a good drink, delicious food, and the company of folks you enjoy.