Spring Cleaning 101

Wikipedia:  Spring cleaning is the period in spring time set aside for cleaning a house, normally applied in climates with a cold winter.  The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name.

Yesterday, I woke up with more than my fair share of energy, and the sun was shining at it was going to hit 70 degrees.  So my first thought was to tackle No. 1 on my spring cleaning list.  The kitchen floor.  My mother taught me that a good thorough cleaning means to get down on your hands and knees and even take a toothbrush to get into those small crevices and grout.  So the photo below pretty much sums up what I did for 2 hours straight.  Except that I have really bad knees and so once I was down on the floor I would "scoot" around on my backside ... this alone would probably win me a spot on America's Funniest Videos.

I can blame my mother for this need to "white glove" my kitchen floor, as she LOVED to keep a spotless house. I think is how most wives in the 1950's approached housecleaning. The photo below really could have been my mother, as she was ALWAYS in a sleeveless dress and high heels ... even when cleaning.  Too much Stepford Wives for me, so you will NEVER find me in heels cleaning. Add to that the fact that I don't even OWN a pair of heels.  I was a child of the 1960's so barefeet and bell bottom jeans were more my thing.  ... just this little glimpse into my past probably gives you cause to question why you follow my blog (ROFL). But I'm glad you do. 

No. 2 on my spring cleaning list?  Windows and doors.  And my mother's formula for clean windows?  A spray bottle of water mixed with vinegar and newspaper (paper towels leave residue).  But the temps have fallen back into the 30's and 40's and rain is in the forecast, so this task will have to wait a few weeks until I can open up the windows and let the house air out properly.