There are many possible origins to the term ‘Spring Cleaning’. A quick search on Google will uncover most of them.
But my very favourite, and the one I always use as my point of reference dates back to prehistoric times.
“Spring cleaning origins probably most date back to prehistory, and represent the time when it was easiest to conduct a good cleaning of living spaces. Extra light allowed people additional time to truly see the messy state of their caves, huts, or teepees. Warmer weather also meant that people could get things thoroughly dry.” (Source: WISEGEEK)
Home’s have grown from the one-room-cave they used to be. Many have also grown past the two-up two-down’s of the 1900’s.
When it comes to spring-cleaning, it’s a case of blitzing a cave at a time.
The Hubby’s favourite cave is the garage. Mine is the kitchen.
And that’s where I’ll start this Spring.
I’m not sure a family kitchen can be minimal. Surely mine couldn’t be described as such?
There are a lot of cupboards in my kitchen. And that leads onto the next stage in the spring clean and decluttering process.
I’ll be working my way through a cupboard at a time. If I wait for the opportune time to do it all, it won’t happen. There never is that ‘perfect’ time, just small windows of opportunity. It’s all about breaking the decluttering down into manageable tasks. One reason we procrastinate when it comes to decluttering is because it can be overwhelming. It can also be time-consuming. Make it easy on yourself. Get started, build momentum. Be realistic in what can be achieved in the time you have to spare.
‘It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop’ Confucius.
I’m an advocate of taking it a drawer at a time. It’s worked well for me previously.
I’ll also be dealing with the tops of my cupboards, which seem to be breeding cake-decorating paraphernalia. Typically I try not to store things (whether they be classed as clutter or not) in high places. Last year I read an excellent book called ‘Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui’ by Karen Kingston. Karen suggests storing things in this way, can have an oppressive effect. Even causing physical headaches.
(At some-point I’ll tell you all about my loft at my previous house, but that’s for another day.)
And I may be incorporating a top tip from The Perfect Housewife herself, Anthea Turner:
“Gaps between the top of your kitchen cupboards and the ceiling are grease and dust traps. Solve this problem by cutting pieces of newspaper to size and laying them on the top of cupboards. Every month, whip the paper down and replace it with fresh paper and you won’t have to spend time cleaning greasy dust from the tops of cupboards’. (Source: How To Be The Perfect Housewife – Anthea Turner)
I probably said this before, but beautiful kitchen Jo!
We live in a two-up two-down (turned into a three bedroomn and two bathroom two-up two down) house from the 1920s.)
Our minimalist lifestyle eradicated spring cleaning. All things in the house, from our jackets through the kids toys to the last spoon has a “home”. Mostly inside a cupboard, wardrobe, drawers. Therefore the weekly cleaning is easy and pretty thorough. Every so often I would wipe out the wardrobe, cupboards, drawers,wipe down the top of the cupboards. We do clothes shopping twice a year (a brilliant idea from zerowastehome – mom, Bea), so it is in April and October when I go through our clothes and see what needs to be replaced. As regards toys, whenever a new toy comes into the house, I get the kids to pick through their toys and see if there’s anything that we call sell/give away. (there always is)
As regards food: I do not keep supplies, so I don’t need to check in expiry dates.
We don’t have a garage, so no clutter there.
Attick: I have closed boxes for Christmas, Easter, camping stuff, etc – I occassionally hoover the floor, but not much else is done up there.
Our problem area is the shed. It is cluttered. It needs to be decluttered, cleaned and organised. Maybe the shed needs to be our spring-cleaning project?
Every time you go through how you do things, I know there is so much more I could do to reduce, reuse and recycle! Love it. Always always always feel inspired when you pop over.
I need to read more of Bea’s stuff. I have a’minimalist’ friend who does exactly the same with the wardrobes. Seems to work perfectly.
Thank you! Buying clothes twice a year has been great! I love planning, saving pictures of outfits and researching good quality clothes for six months before the actual purchase. Also, I, as well as the boys, enjoy NOT having to go near shopping centres.
Reduce, reuse, recycle….we got rid of our bin a while back, but still fighting the battle to keep packaging out of our house. I managed to source a butcher and a vegetable store nearby where I can take my jars to get the meat and my meshbags for the fruit and veg. But all other foods tend to come in packaging. Fair enough, the glass jars and paper boxes are recyclable, but at what cost to the environment and those who actually work at the recyclement site? Also, there is all the plastic packaging…. need to go completely paleo to avoid all the packaging. 🙂
I probably said this before, but beautiful kitchen Jo!
We live in a two-up two-down (turned into a three bedroomn and two bathroom two-up two down) house from the 1920s.)
Our minimalist lifestyle eradicated spring cleaning. All things in the house, from our jackets through the kids toys to the last spoon has a “home”. Mostly inside a cupboard, wardrobe, drawers. Therefore the weekly cleaning is easy and pretty thorough. Every so often I would wipe out the wardrobe, cupboards, drawers,wipe down the top of the cupboards. We do clothes shopping twice a year (a brilliant idea from zerowastehome – mom, Bea), so it is in April and October when I go through our clothes and see what needs to be replaced. As regards toys, whenever a new toy comes into the house, I get the kids to pick through their toys and see if there’s anything that we call sell/give away. (there always is)
As regards food: I do not keep supplies, so I don’t need to check in expiry dates.
We don’t have a garage, so no clutter there.
Attick: I have closed boxes for Christmas, Easter, camping stuff, etc – I occassionally hoover the floor, but not much else is done up there.
Our problem area is the shed. It is cluttered. It needs to be decluttered, cleaned and organised. Maybe the shed needs to be our spring-cleaning project?
Every time you go through how you do things, I know there is so much more I could do to reduce, reuse and recycle! Love it. Always always always feel inspired when you pop over.
I need to read more of Bea’s stuff. I have a’minimalist’ friend who does exactly the same with the wardrobes. Seems to work perfectly.
Thank you! Buying clothes twice a year has been great! I love planning, saving pictures of outfits and researching good quality clothes for six months before the actual purchase. Also, I, as well as the boys, enjoy NOT having to go near shopping centres.
Reduce, reuse, recycle….we got rid of our bin a while back, but still fighting the battle to keep packaging out of our house. I managed to source a butcher and a vegetable store nearby where I can take my jars to get the meat and my meshbags for the fruit and veg. But all other foods tend to come in packaging. Fair enough, the glass jars and paper boxes are recyclable, but at what cost to the environment and those who actually work at the recyclement site? Also, there is all the plastic packaging…. need to go completely paleo to avoid all the packaging. 🙂
I love your kitchen 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I love your kitchen 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I’ve been tidying the children’s rooms this week. My son (who has Asperger’s) has hoarding tendencies, and his latest obsession is old crisp packets. He’s going to take some to school to use for junk modelling but I have to persuade him to only keep one of each type of packet! I also put a few of his Lego models away as they were taking up every surface. I have also decluttered the girls’ room, there were quite a few plastic “treasures” (i.e. free toys that come with magazines etc) that were never played with and they agreed they didn’t need them any more. Looking a bit clearer in there now! I love having the windows open in this warmer weather to give the place a good airing.
I’ve been tidying the children’s rooms this week. My son (who has Asperger’s) has hoarding tendencies, and his latest obsession is old crisp packets. He’s going to take some to school to use for junk modelling but I have to persuade him to only keep one of each type of packet! I also put a few of his Lego models away as they were taking up every surface. I have also decluttered the girls’ room, there were quite a few plastic “treasures” (i.e. free toys that come with magazines etc) that were never played with and they agreed they didn’t need them any more. Looking a bit clearer in there now! I love having the windows open in this warmer weather to give the place a good airing.
Sounds like you are doing great Rebecca. It’s that time of year, time to throw open the windows (and the cave door) and get cleaning and airing!
Sounds like you are doing great Rebecca. It’s that time of year, time to throw open the windows (and the cave door) and get cleaning and airing!
I am starting decluttering with my very own clothes closet. I literally cannot tell you how many pair of black slacks & capris I own, in various sizes. I’ve started going through all my slacks, trousers and capris and anything that doesn’t currently fit is outtahere! If they’re too large, they need to go. If they’re too small, then when I am into a smaller size again I’ll treat myself to some new ones. Same with jeans and denim capris. We did a big declutter in February and March and many items were donated then. And there’s nothing I love more than throwing the windows and doors wide, hanging washing on the outdoor clothesline, and starting on a bit of gardening. Spring still slow coming here (we had 80f weather last weekend, followed by a bit of SNOW last night – sigh) so I’m wishing lovely weather for everyone.
I am starting decluttering with my very own clothes closet. I literally cannot tell you how many pair of black slacks & capris I own, in various sizes. I’ve started going through all my slacks, trousers and capris and anything that doesn’t currently fit is outtahere! If they’re too large, they need to go. If they’re too small, then when I am into a smaller size again I’ll treat myself to some new ones. Same with jeans and denim capris. We did a big declutter in February and March and many items were donated then. And there’s nothing I love more than throwing the windows and doors wide, hanging washing on the outdoor clothesline, and starting on a bit of gardening. Spring still slow coming here (we had 80f weather last weekend, followed by a bit of SNOW last night – sigh) so I’m wishing lovely weather for everyone.
Have I said how much I LOVE your kitchen?!?!?!?! (quite possibly more than once…) It’s Autumn over here, but a season cannot change without me cleaning and rearranging the furniture 🙂
Have I said how much I LOVE your kitchen?!?!?!?! (quite possibly more than once…) It’s Autumn over here, but a season cannot change without me cleaning and rearranging the furniture 🙂
Spring cleaning is really necessary after a dark and cold winter. We have lack of energy and motivation when outside is gloomy. Now in the beginning of spring we feel more energy and inspiration to clean up and make our homes fresh and clean again! 🙂 Thanks for the lovely post! Happy spring cleaning! 🙂