Is it that time of year already?/ Spring cleaning tradition may be

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 3, 2003 | by Rachel Sauer

It's a revelation every year, that first opening of windows after a seemingly endless winter. It's a revelation how good a happy spring breeze smells as it skips through the screen and flutters the curtains. How pretty those pools of sunlight are on the kitchen floor.

How many cobwebs there are on the ceiling fan. Yikes.

As a season, winter is a little more forgiving, with its closed windows and shorter days, on the housekeeper. Spring, though, illuminates everything that was easy to overlook in winter.

And so a ritual of spring cleaning begins. Some say we're biologically programmed to clean in the spring. Others say we can't give up the traditions of our pioneer ancestors. Whatever the reason, spring often finds us attacking our homes with mops and rags, clearing the winter cobwebs from our homes and spirits.

"All the fresh air and opening the house brings to mind that freshness needs to come in," said Cecilia McMilleon, owner of The Cleaning Lady. "It reminds you that you need to start over after being all clogged up in winter time and not being able to get any fresh air."

Carol Nemeroff, an associate professor of psychology at Arizona State University, has theorized that the urge to spring clean comes from the impulse to organize and tidy our nests, which has been part of the human psyche for eons. She also said cleaning might be a "basic survival instinct," since good hygiene contributes to good health.

Another reason for spring cleaning might be traced to the era of wood stoves, wrote Schar Ward in her book "Coming Clean: Dirty Little Secrets from a Professional Housecleaner." Smoke from the stoves left an oily residue inside homes, so when people took their stoves down after winter, they did a thorough cleaning.

Which, with that heritage, might help explain why Americans spend about $27 billion per year on cleaning supplies, according to the International Housewares Association.

Many of those supplies probably will be used in spring, since the Soap and Detergent Association reports 78 percent of Americans say they do spring cleaning.

That number is up 11 percent from last year, the association reports, pointing to the increased importance of home during the last several years.

The reasons for doing spring cleaning vary. According to the Association's National Cleaning Survey, 37 percent of respondents said they do it for the clean, fresh smell and 31 percent to know grime and dirt are gone. The rest want a shiny, dust-free look and to take care of their furnishings.

"You just kind of get the bug to clean in spring," said Lee Wasielewski, owner of Magic Touch Cleaning.

The problem, he said, is when people try to do it all at once, or do things that are counterproductive to their efforts - like mopping before dusting, thus making the clean floor dirty again.

Wasielewski, McMilleon and other cleaning professionals say spring cleaning doesn't have to be something to dread. It just takes a little planning and careful execution, including:

Prioritizing the cleaning tasks. If your time is limited, Wasielewski said, start with the areas in your home that most need cleaning.

That way, you won't feel guilty about not getting to the smaller, less important jobs right away.

Not trying to do it all in one day. McMilleon said to aim for one room a day so you don't get overly tired or burned out on cleaning.

Making sure you have enough cleaning products before you start. The fastest way to lose enthusiasm for a cleaning project is to have to interrupt it for a run to the store.

Reading the label on the cleaning products. McMilleon said one of the biggest problems she sees is misuse of cleaning products, even though labels give directions for use and recommendations for the surfaces on which they can be used. For example, certain cleaners can ruin the finish on a hardwood floor.

Paying attention to details. For example, making sure to clean window tracks, ceiling fan blades, baseboards and other frequently overlooked areas can prevent dirt built-up and the eventual migration of that dirt to other spots.

McMilleon said small cleaning jobs can make a big difference. As part of her spring cleaning she sprays Febreze on her pillows to eliminate odor and make them feel more fresh, "and because that's where you sleep, it makes a big difference."

Hiring a professional to do certain jobs you don't have the time, knowledge or desire to do, such as cleaning carpets and drapes or washing windows.

The important thing to remember, McMilleon said, is that spring cleaning shouldn't be torture. If you feel like stopping, then stop. Otherwise, throw those windows open and enjoy the spring.

SPRING CLEANING TIPS FROM A PRO

Mary Ellen Pinkham, housecleaning maven and host of "TIPical Mary Ellen" on HGTV, recommends eight essential products for successful spring cleaning:

ABRASIVE CLEANER: Pinkham recommends baking soda for many jobs, and Bon Ami cleaner for tougher spots. She likes Bon Ami because it doesn't scratch.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: Plain dishwashing detergent mixed with water is a good all-purpose cleaner, she says. She keeps it in a spray bottle, but recommends going light on the detergent so the solution isn't too sudsy to spray. For stronger cleaning, she recommends a solution of one quart of water mixed with half a cup of white vinegar, poured into a spray bottle. For heavy-duty jobs she recommends Lestoil or Top Job.