Chances are when spring rolls around and the sunlight starts to shine through your windows, you begin to notice dust, perhaps the windows suddenly look dirtier than they did before. You think, “well, it’s time for spring cleaning”. Well, think again, and if you're in the mood, head outside and play in the sunshine, maybe even digging in the dirt!

 

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Society is automatically wired and programmed to “spring clean”, but if a deep, thoroughly cleaned home is what you want, spring is really not the best time to do it. The reality is, Fall is a far better time to do a more thorough cleaning. It will last longer.

Okay, now you are shaking your head in disbelief, but please, keep reading … I am right. I know your mom, your grandma, and her mom, and it seems everyone else, all know that spring is for “spring cleaning”.

First let’s dig into why we have been sold these goods when we could be outside enjoying the fabulous weather. It all started hundreds of years ago when homes became homes. Before modern times of efficient heating, homes were closed up as tight as they could be for the cold winter months. Heating choices were dirty, usually fireplaces, coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, etc.

For months, people heated their homes with these smelly, dirty fuels. Everything from the walls to the rugs would be covered in smoke and soot by the time spring rolled around and the house could be opened back up. So it was natural to “spring clean”. Walls would have to be scrubbed, bedding and rugs taken outside and beat until they couldn’t be beat any more.

Now, luckily, options for home heating are much cleaner and healthier. Homes do not get nearly as dirty during the winter months; if anything - because they are closed up - they get less dirty during this time. So, that makes Fall the most opportune time to “go the extra mile” when cleaning. It will last longer if you do.

However, if you are genetically hardwired to do your “spring cleaning”, then by all means do it and have fun. If it takes spring to get you to think about your baseboards and windows then more power to you. I am sure there are many home cleaning services you can find right here on The Housekeeping Channel that will clean your home any time of the year.

Whether or not you choose to break out of this cycle, become a rebel and say, “no more!”, or if you just stay in the same pattern, do take some time and enjoy the beauty of spring!

 

 

About Perry Phillips

Perry Phillips is a writer, speaker, and consultant for the residential cleaning industry.  He is the publisher of www.homecleanermagazine.com. Perry is an advocate for the professional home cleaning industry and is committed to increasing awareness through consumer education. He also founded the only non-profit member organization for the industry, ARCSI.