Why I hate spring cleaning

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Deb's competition.
That Lady in PA said:
I know an answer to that! (but don't shoot the messenger LOL!)
That came up in a discussion I had with young mothers who ranged in age from 22 to around 36 years old.


They indicated several reasons:
1. They don't want to waste all the money their parents did on "worthless things that add to the landfills".
2. They don't care to take the time cleaning them.
3. They don't want to obsess about them... what if this breaks? I need another for the collection! etc.
4. They don't want to pack and move them (as that generation is fairly mobile).
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I've heard all that from the younger ones too and if they don't like knick knacks or don't want to clean them or move them then that's fine, but I can't get worked up over their landfill argument.

Deb collected these things over many years and some day they'll take up a few square yards of landfill -- one time. The generation doing the judging may have bare walls, but they are the worst ever on the landfills with their disposable diapers, endless Starbucks coffee containers, and mountains of water bottles.

I prefer an uncluttered, airy space myself, but I somehow ended up with all my relatives old crystal. All six big, square shelves in the entertainment cabinet, the center of the coffee table, the shelves inside the end table, and the center of the dining table all contain large pieces of crystal. No other knick knacks. I clean them weekly with a Windex soaked cloth. They catch the light and add sparkle to the room. That's their only purpose.
 
Della said:
article-2019094-0D10050500000578-743_964x612.jpg

Deb's competition.


I've heard all that from the younger ones too and if they don't like knick knacks or don't want to clean them or move them then that's fine, but I can't get worked up over their landfill argument.

Deb collected these things over many years and some day they'll take up a few square yards of landfill -- one time. The generation doing the judging may have bare walls, but they are the worst ever on the landfills with their disposable diapers, endless Starbucks coffee containers, and mountains of water bottles.

I prefer an uncluttered, airy space myself, but I somehow ended up with all my relatives old crystal. All six big, square shelves in the entertainment cabinet, the center of the coffee table, the shelves inside the end table, and the center of the dining table all contain large pieces of crystal. No other knick knacks. I clean them weekly with a Windex soaked cloth. They catch the light and add sparkle to the room. That's their only purpose.
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Wow some collection and yes I love the collection type shows as you never know if you have that magical one piece .

 
NotCompSavy said:
Yet interestingly enough when they first came out Antique Road Show , Pawn Stars , American Pickers were all very popular .

I love them .
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I love them, too. Although I don't collect things myself and clutter at home disturbs me, I love to look at other people's collections. I could stand in front of Deb's shelves for hours looking at all the little cute things.
 
I collect but not the usual painted plated and such things. If I see something I love it will be furniture or art, and recently I bought an old man's family heirloom...a handmade rocking chair. It is said to be in his family since 1800 and is small and not sturdy and has a big repair under the seat. All hand pegged and fitted with square nails where needed. I have the new/old teddy bear in it with a small throw I made. Love the chair.
 
dusty said:
I collect but not the usual painted plated and such things. If I see something I love it will be furniture or art, and recently I bought an old man's family heirloom...a handmade rocking chair. It is said to be in his family since 1800 and is small and not sturdy and has a big repair under the seat. All hand pegged and fitted with square nails where needed. I have the new/old teddy bear in it with a small throw I made. Love the chair.
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Adorable! Picture?
 
Della said:
article-2019094-0D10050500000578-743_964x612.jpg

Deb's competition.


I've heard all that from the younger ones too and if they don't like knick knacks or don't want to clean them or move them then that's fine, but I can't get worked up over their landfill argument.

Deb collected these things over many years and some day they'll take up a few square yards of landfill -- one time. The generation doing the judging may have bare walls, but they are the worst ever on the landfills with their disposable diapers, endless Starbucks coffee containers, and mountains of water bottles.

I prefer an uncluttered, airy space myself, but I somehow ended up with all my relatives old crystal. All six big, square shelves in the entertainment cabinet, the center of the coffee table, the shelves inside the end table, and the center of the dining table all contain large pieces of crystal. No other knick knacks. I clean them weekly with a Windex soaked cloth. They catch the light and add sparkle to the room. That's their only purpose.
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Yowza! I'd be twitchy in less than a minute of being in this house and have to politely excuse myself for an immediate exit. And maybe a drink!
 
Anyone ever watch "Collector's Call"? It's on the MeTV cable channel on Sunday evenings. Every week a collector of a particular item or theme is visited and an expert appraiser is brought in to value the collections. Some of those people make my collecting look third class. Some have even built separate buildings from their house to display their items. Most of the time it's entertainment-related memorabilia.
 
debodun said:
Anyone ever watch "Collector's Call"? It's on the MeTV cable channel on Sunday evenings. Every week a collector of a particular item or theme is visited and an expert appraiser is brought in to value the collections. Some of those people make my collecting look third class. Some have even built separate buildings from their house to display their items. Most of the time it's entertainment-related memorabilia.
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At one time I did. Interesting to see what some people will collect.
 
debodun said:
Anyone ever watch "Collector's Call"? It's on the MeTV cable channel on Sunday evenings. Every week a collector of a particular item or theme is visited and an expert appraiser is brought in to value the collections. Some of those people make my collecting look third class. Some have even built separate buildings from their house to display their items. Most of the time it's entertainment-related memorabilia.
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Collector's Call


Yes I have watched it .
 
Today I dusted half of the en suite bedroom and the ceiling light and fan. What a job trying to get the globe back in place with the chains that need threading through holes. A three-armed job, but I managed with two after I found the right words. It didn't seem do difficult last year. Amazing how much dust can accumulate in that bowl-shaped globe and blades.

ceiling fan.jpg
 
debodun said:
Today I dusted half of the en suite bedroom and the ceiling light and fan. What a job trying to get the globe back in place with the chains that need threading through holes. A three-armed job, but I managed with two after I found the right words. It didn't seem do difficult last year. Amazing how much dust can accumulate in that bowl-shaped globe and blades.

View attachment 410592
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I have a very similar celing light and fan in one of the bedrooms. To clean the blades I just feed a cotton pillowcase over them, and it catches all the dust , rather than have the dust fall onto everything below
 
I finished up in the computer room this morning and started on the kitchen. To clean the top of the cupboards, everything had to be removed from the counters because I have to stand on them to reach the cabinet tops - this after climbing a ladder. Then the items on the cabinet tops have to be removed, and dusted, then the cabinet tops dusted and the items replaced. Climb down and clean the countertops and replace the appliances, and other items that were there. PHEW!

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I don't think the tops of those kitchen cabinets had ever been dusted since the house was built. When I moved, I hurriedly shoved my teapot collection up there, but really didn't inspect it. There was about an eighth of an inch layer with large and medium to large "bunnies". I tried to dust with a microfiber cloth, but it was like it was stuck (probably a combo of dust and grease aerosols from cooking). The vacuum hose isn't long enough to reach that high. Any suggestions on cleaning this?
 
Another vote for hot sudsy water and old fashioned elbow grease.

Go easy on the water and dry as you go with paper towels or old tea towels.

Once the area is clean and dry cover it with shelf paper, butcher paper or paper towels to catch any future dirt and grime. Every couple of years you can easily replace the paper.

The other option would be to ignore the dirt and grime, your visitors will never know if you can keep them off your kitchen counter. 😉🤭😂
 
Aunt Bea said:
The other option would be to ignore the dirt and grime, your visitors will never know if you can keep them off your kitchen counter. 😉🤭😂
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I am leaning that way. I can't rub too hard - the construction of the cabinets is shoddy - nails sticking out all over. I almost ripped my skin twice because was wasn't expecting it and they were hidden under dust.
 

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