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Spring Cleaning How-To

posted by Annie B. Bond May 14, 1999 11:16 pm
Spring Cleaning How-To
13 comments

By Annie B. Bond

The best explanation I have heard for what spring cleaning is, and why, is that it is a custom left over from times before electricity, when everything in peoples’ houses was covered with soot from candles, fireplaces, kerosene, and lamp oils used for heat and light during the winter. By the spring, every inch of the home had to be cleaned to rid it of the layer of soot.

Even in these days of relatively clean heating and lighting, it feels so liberating to get rid of accumulated winter grime. After all, there is nothing like the sun streaming in the windows to show all the winter dust, when the days get longer in the spring. Like many of us, I like to do a good spring clean, soot or no. Here are a few easy tips for safe, energizing spring cleaning.

Cleaning without toxic chemicals is a wonderful way to turn your home into a healthy and healing place to be. I’ve archived a number of non-toxic cleaning basics and strategies on the Green Living channels at Care2.com. Here are three links that will give you the basics to clean your house from top to bottom.

More on Non-Toxic Cleaning (156 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3248 articles available)

13 comments

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13 comments add your comment
Robin and Jerry Mannassse

Another origin for Spring cleaning is that it coincides with preparation for the holiday of Passover. We clean out the entire house and get rid of any grain products and only eat only matzah instead for a week.

Dan G.
  • Dan G. says
  • Apr 6, 2009 6:27 AM

There are other inexpensive natural items on the market that can save you time and totally de-tox your home when it comes to cleaning. I have tried alot of the mentioned ideas and while some of them work great, they are time consuming to make up. There is a kit of all Natural Home cleaning Products that you can get that will save you over $3400.00 A YEAR!
Go to http://www.parentswithapassion.com
You will be amazed at the low cost of this kit.
And with Earthday right around the corner, what a great time to start.
Dan & Denise Gallagher

Samme P.

I've read all the spring cleaning comments and concerns and have one thing to say.
WWW.SAREGNTSTEAM.COM
Do yourself and the environment a favor. You wont be sorry.

Darlene
  • Darlene says
  • Jun 20, 2008 6:46 AM

Does anyone have a cleaning solution for limestone fireplace?

Angie Perryman

I make a sink and tub scrub, using equal parts borax and baking soda. You can add a few drops of a favorite essential oil for fragrance. Put it in a jar, poke a few holes in the lid and you have a shaker for it. Cleans like a dream and rinses clean.

Deborah S.

hi! never did find your five basic recipes for cleaning from scratch--searched, too! found the five substances, but not the five recipes--help?

Marion R.

Hey there Karen Pidcock: Other than cleaning the bottom tray that catches drips with baking soda, I have never ever cleaned my oven. Ever.

Karen Pidcock

How about cleaning ovens? Does anyone take out the elements before spraying or cover with masking tape them & the sensor gizmo? Otherwise, how can they be avoided?

Montana Freeman

sorry i almost gagged when i saw the Wal Mart ad here, Hum Vee payments behind?

Sylvia Wulf

The link for the archive is broken, and the one for cleaning from scratch leads to an article about mold from a leaky roof. The other is great though!

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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