There are many thoughts as to the origin of spring cleaning. Some believe that because soot and dirt had built up in homes over a cold winter due to heating with coal, oil and wood and using candlelight and oil to see, spring was a good time to get rid of all the grime and dirt. So on the first dry, warm day of the season, everyone who could would clean and wash and sweep and dust...well you get the picture. Others believed that spring cleaning was a Jewish tradition to ready the house for the celebration of the Passover, a holiday that marked the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
The Chinese clean their homes in anticipation of the new year, which occurs shortly after our new year. By sweeping and cleaning, they believe that they were getting ridding of bad luck and misfortune that had accumulated during the previous year. Once the house was clean, they welcomed good fortune by observing a prohibition against sweeping for the few days following the new year. They believed this would prevent sweeping away any good fortune that was to come.
Whatever the origin of the ritual, we today still like to take some time and open up the doors and windows and let in the fresh air - those that live in the North to let in some warmth and those who live in the South to freshen the air before summer comes and the house will be shut up again!
This is a good time to flip your mattresses, clean your blinds and window treatments, vacuum your furniture, clean your baseboards, and clean out the refrigerator. Bring spring into your home with flowers!
Here are some pictures to get you in the mood...
So whether you plan on spring cleaning or just bringing a piece of spring into your home, I hope these pictures have gotten you in the mood.
Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time...
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