Spring & Fall Cleaning... did it go out with the 60's/70's?

[Ruby Rose]

I remember my mom scrubbing every wall, every baseboard, moving every stitch of furniture, taking down and cleaning every single light and fixture, and not once, but twice yearly.

I used to help her as much as I could, doing the scrubbing of the walls especially, because she always found that to be the most taxing of all.

Spring-cleaning was my favourite of all, because springtime brought the opening of windows and doors after a long cold winter, and between smelling the fresh clean scent of Pine-Sol throughout the home, mixed with the sweet and fresh air that spring always brought, it always had a way of kick-starting life again for me.

I seldom hear of anyone that still religiously partakes in a proper spring and fall cleaning of their home, but I still do, and so long as I have the strength and mobility to see such through, I'm going to continue.

How about you?

Your post sure brings back 'busy days',,,Memories! Your Mom sounds a lot like my Mom in the day. Spring was a big deal beginning with the removal of storm windows and putting on screens, taking rugs and such and beating them, washing windows...and the list goes on and on.
To this day, I still have a to-do list of things that need doing for pretty well every day as my abode is small. I find it is harder to keep the dust bunnies away living here. As for Spring and Fall, I concentrate on filters and such and especially windows as I winterize them by sealing them in the Fall and must remove same in the Spring. I really pay attention to forecasts living here.

 

[Ruby Rose]

My mom is probably doing the same, as I'm super-clean and fussy, but still don't hold a candle to the way she kept home.

I have a good excuse to relax now...I am shorter, older, can't see all that well and know that those dust bunnies can always wait another day and I would rather spend more time in my office which is usually in chaos. I have spent years working my butt off especially when living in PMQs where the Major would show up and do white glove checks.

 

[Aunt Marg]

Your post sure brings back 'busy days',,,Memories! Your Mom sounds a lot like my Mom in the day. Spring was a big deal beginning with the removal of storm windows and putting on screens, taking rugs and such and beating them, washing windows...and the list goes on and on.
To this day, I still have a to-do list of things that need doing for pretty well every day as my abode is small. I find it is harder to keep the dust bunnies away living here. As for Spring and Fall, I concentrate on filters and such and especially windows as I winterize them by sealing them in the Fall and must remove same in the Spring. I really pay attention to forecasts living here.

It sure does bring back warm memories for me, too.

Such a big change from today, where, at least so it seems, there aren't many true old-fashioned homemakers anymore. Homemakers back in the day prided themselves with taking their fulltime homemaking jobs serious, and it showed.

As for myself, I take homemaking serious, just that I don't have the oomph that I once used to, so I have to pace myself a little more than I used to.

It's so true, Ruby, being that we own homes, our work is never done.

They say "slow and steady wins the race", and that's the race I run these days. LOL!

 

[Jules]

I'm going to buy a soft-bristled scrub brush this spring to get the screens cleaner. A little mild detergent and agitation to remove stubborn dust and debris should reward me with cleaner window screens.

When we remove the screens in the fall for cleaning windows, the screens are washed & stored in the basement. Only two are kept on windows which are opened slightly every night. Not having screens on during the short winter days make a huge difference in the brightness of the room.

 

[Aunt Marg]

When we remove the screens in the fall for cleaning windows, the screens are washed & stored in the basement. Only two are kept on windows which are opened slightly every night. Not having screens on during the short winter days make a huge difference in the brightness of the room.

I never gave any thought to the brightness factor, but I'll bet it does make a considerable difference.

We keep as many windows in the home free of draperies, blinds, etc, to allow for a more open and bright feel.

 

[Ruby Rose]

I must write all you ladies about my cleaning day today...other than making my bed and doing dishes late...cleaning was not on my agenda. I was requested to compose a suitable 'ode' on behalf of a loving pet's death. When I do so, everything else pretty well comes to a halt as there are continuous rewritings and vocalizing to get it just right and I do strive to get it just right...delving into history and emotions, etc. Then, I can relax as tomorrow is another day...and I succeeded.