The History of Spring Cleaning and What We Do
The tradition of spring cleaning goes back even further than I imagine most people realise. I think many, like me, visualise it as a Victorian tradition of taking the rugs outside to beat out the dust and whitewashing the walls.
However, the practice can be seen far back in time, in many different cultures, and linked to many religions. It is practiced by the Iranian Nowruz to celebrate the Persian new year, as well as being an ancient Jewish practice to thoroughly clean the house in anticipation of Passover, and even within the Catholic faith the Church thoroughly cleans the altar on Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday).
For practical reasons, the big spring clean was often done in March as it’s generally warm enough to open up all of the windows to let in the fresh air but not warm enough for there to be lots of bugs flying around. In colder and wetter autumn and winter climates (like our little English seaside town) the doors and windows are closed for months with the fire or heating pumping out. It gives a warm and cozy atmosphere to go with the seasons but that first spring-like day when you can open the windows and take a deep breath of fresh air wakes the house up after a long sleep. With the curtains blowing in the breeze I’m sure I can hear the house giving a long sigh of relief.
For our family, the big spring clean takes place on the May Day bank holiday weekend. I’m not sure when I chose this weekend to be our official ‘big clean’ weekend but it was well over a decade ago. I like this weekend because even though spring officially starts on 21st March, the long weekend for Beltane (or May Day) is warmer and gives me 3 days to sort the house out. I feel a sense of exhausted peace at the end of this weekend knowing that all the jobs I’ve noticed and thought “I should do that”, like scrubbing the kitchen tiles, washing the curtains, organising the linen cupboard, or decluttering the art supplies are all done and we are ending spring and heading into summer with a clean and organised home. It makes my soul happy, and as many people know the Mama sets the mood of the home, so when Mama is full of spring cheer, everyone else is too!
For a look at my full spring cleaning list you can check out last year’s post here.
I’d love to know if you are a fan of a big spring clean too?
Happy Bank Holiday!
Livvy
