Spring Cleaning with a Cozy Twist
The practice of Spring cleaning has its roots across many different cultures. For example, in Iran and parts of Central Asia, the new year falls on the Spring equinox, and families perform a whole house cleaning in the weeks prior. In Europe, before central heating and modern insulation, homes accumulated soot and grime from open hearths. Airing out the home and scrubbing down walls was common practice when the weather warmed in Spring. I may be a little late in this post as we are well into the Spring season, but I think we can always use some tips to turn a chore into a warm and cozy experience.
Prep
Play music that will inspire you to clean, whether that’s something upbeat or more mellow. Light a candle and open up all your windows to let in the fresh air. Gather up all your cleaning supplies so they are within reach. You may even want to make some homemade cleaning solutions with some white vinegar, water and a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Make a list of everything you want to tackle, but keep in mind that not everything needs to be done in one day. Take it easy!
Tackle Your List
My personal approach to cleaning isn’t by room, but by task. I’ll start by deep cleaning all the bathrooms, then I do the dusting everywhere and I finish up by vacuuming and mopping the whole house. Because we want to keep things cozy, I’d recommend leaving each room with a little treat you can enjoy when you’re done. For example, leave out your favorite bubble bath and scented candle in the bathroom so you can enjoy a relaxing soak later on, or set out a book or pile of magazines and your reading blanket in the living room to catch up on your reading before bed.
Celebrate Progress - Not Perfection
Doing a deep clean of your home can be physically exhausting. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day and stop completely when you are too tired to continue. As I mentioned, you don’t need to get through everything in one day. And even if you don’t get through everything, be kind to yourself and celebrate what you’ve done. As long as you feel warm and cozy in your space, a little dust won’t hurt.