When my husband and I surveyed our messy kitchen the other day, I joked, “Too bad one of us isn’t compulsively neat.” No matter our good intentions, magazines, envelopes, boxes from Amazon, and do-dads accumulate.
Springtime in the Skagit Valley, WA.
Spring has officially made her appearance! Already? It’s dark this morning, but I hear pairs of chickadees and robins outside twittering. Yet I’m not in the mood to tidy our nest. Are you? I didn’t think so. It can take quite a while to get into the spring cleaning mood, but once we do, there’s never anything stopping us from fixing up our homes to their full glory. This spring cleaning season, you may want to invest in some new gear that can make your cleaning easier than ever. For example, you could open sales page of a company like Bissell so that you can get yourself a brand new vacuum or steam cleaner. You may also rely on experts in house cleaning in Lenexa KS to make your home spotlessly clean.
Bald Eagles return to the nest for some serious Spring Cleaning!
I think of the Amish, who keep their flower gardens and homes meticulously neat. When the company is expected, especially if the home will serve as a meeting place for their church district’s Sunday worship, a wedding, or other occasion, rugs are hung out and beat with a broom (no vacuums or electrical appliances), floors are swept, and scrubbed, along with walls and ceilings. That same dedication to cleanliness and detail can be seen in homes enhanced with natural surfaces from a trusted uk marble supplier, bringing timeless beauty without compromising on simplicity. In Lancaster County, PA, if English (any non-Amish person) cleaning products are desired they can be purchased at Walmart.
For the most part, our house has a shoes-off policy, which drastically helps reduce the amount of dirt tracked in. When our sons lived at home, they and their friends knew to kick off their shoes and leave them by the door. I’ve always wanted a mudroom for that purpose, but unlike Amish farmhouses, few homes in Seattle were built with them in spite of our vast amounts of rain. Fear not should you visit us; we don’t require visitors except workmen to remove their boots.
How are you welcoming the arrival of spring? Last week, my sister felt inspired and brought out much of her warm-weather clothes, then told me she was freezing. Our nights are still dipping to the upper 30s. But I got the urge to root through the clothing I didn’t wear all winter (not once!) and force myself to make the difficult decision whether to hang on to them for next winter or give them away.
Kate in the kitchen broom closet; most cleaning products are in the basement.
Do you sort through your winter clothing in the spring? There are some items I might only wear once or twice a year, such as to a wedding. Amish friends would laugh if they saw how many clothes and hats I own.
What does Spring Cleaning mean to you? Does it mean searching for the best Self Storage Units to fit everything in because you can’t let it go? Do you spend the whole day scrubbing your house until it shines? Where do you start? Do you have a system I could borrow? Or are you someone that leaves the spring cleaning to professionals like as Sparkle and Shine? Whatever your method is for cleaning your house, I want to know how everybody else goes about the spring cleaning process. When it comes to spring cleaning or cleaning in general, a friend of mine finds this to be quite challenging, as her vacuum cleaner is not as good as it used to be. It collects little to no dust. So she took it upon herself to check out sites like https://allgreatvacuums.com/ to finally replace the old vacuum with something brand new. Hopefully, this will make spring cleaning a lot easier for her. Saying this though, overall, cleaning the whole house can be tough, especially doing it on your own.
44″ Amish-made table runner from Lancaster County, PA.
Please leave a comment and enter to win this beautiful 44″ Amish-made table runner from Lancaster County, PA, plus a signed book from The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: either Leaving Lancaster, its sequel Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! Winner has three days to respond. USA and Canada.
The older I get, the less “spring/fall” cleaning is done at our house. Health issues prevent lots of things. So I try my best (along with hubbys help of course) just to keep up with most things weekly. I enjoy reading, especially when weather gets warm & I can sit on my front porch. So relaxing. Would love to win this table runner. Just beautiful. God bless you , keep writing & blessing our hearts.
Sitting and reading on your front porch when it gets warm sounds heavenly, Linda! I would love a front porch … and warm weather. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I’ll tell you what I’d LIKE TO SEE happen–all the ceilings, walls & floors scrubbed down! But….I don’t when to schedule the cleaning; I’ve tried to break it down by rooms, parts of rooms…ugh. I’m too busy! I heat with fuel oil, & it seems like this everything is in need of a good scrubbing, & in some instances, paint too! For the every day, quick cleaning routines, try ww.FlyLady.net! 🙂
Sounds as though you need to hire a young Amish housecleaner, MS! No matter how young and healthy I’ve been, I would never be able to scrub our ceiling. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
We are not only doing spring cleaning but also moving! Packing up boxes galore! Sorting stuff to keep or donate or have a yard sale. I am opting for the last after we move in since we will be on a paved road with traffic to see my signs. We are downsizing too which contributes to not saving as much. I love the Amish table runner and it goes with my color scheme too. I’d love to read the book.
I hope you do read my books, Sally, and I’d love you to win the Amish table runner! Since you’re moving, you are having a giant spring cleaning, plus downsizing too. Wow. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Spring cleaning to me means opening up the windows to feel the new season of freshness and warmth from outside. Just listening to the birds sing & enjoying the birth bath and watching the squirrels scamper around, bouncing from one tree to the next puts me in the mood to shake out my quilts & remove the dust bunnies from around the house. Having a surprise snow blizzard yesterday that shut down our city, airport, schools and businesses of Denver yesterday reminded me that Spring cleaning is still waiting for me to enjoy the new season~
I heard about your blizzard in the news, Bobbe! Looks as though spring cleaning and open windows will have to wait for warmer weather. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Spring cleaning was always start at the ceilings and wash and dust down to the floors.Everything done by hand but now that my illness has taken me down I watch other people try to clean and as any woman knows nothing is done right unless you do it yourself. But I am thankful for the help I get.
I’m thankful that you get help with cleaning, Carol! It’s hard to give up the reins and let other people work for you. I’m wishing you extra special good luck in this giveaway!
Kate
Spring cleaning just doesn’t get done any more. I’m lucky to get my place cleaned once a week. I wanted to get my summer clothes out but it is still too cool.
If you get your place cleaned once a week, I’d say that’s pretty good, Nancy! I’ve looked at my summer clothes, but know I’ll wear long-johns under my slacks on Easter morning. And a warm coat and a scarf. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have found Spring Cleaning is so much easier these days now that I have adapted the more plain life style. I find we don’t need stuff to fulfill our life therefore it’s easier to clean our house. I have been going to Amish Auctions and buying baskets they make great storage, so cabinets and closets are all organized and look great. The table runner will look great to add to my collection. Denki for your books they are a great read.
Thank you for your terrific comment and for mentioning my books, Cherese! I’m so impressed that even your cabinets and closets are organized. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I’m cleaning out my linen closet–well, I’m supposed to be, but I stopped by my office on the way down the hall and started reading your newsletter–LOL! I do like to clean through the closets in the spring–or any other time that I take a notion. Love the picture here and in your newsletter of the tulips. I did have the privilege once of being there, when they were in bloom. So amazing! So happy to hear you are into writing another book.
Thank you for your encouraging letter, Kay! I agree, the tulips in bloom in Skagit Valley are amazing. I’m glad you’ve seen them. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have been so busy with school and work that I haven’t had time to think about spring cleaning. To me, spring cleaning means starting in one room and not stopping until the entire house has been cleaned. I guess that has to do with me being OCD 😉
Spring cleaning is one arena where OCD pays off, Hannah! I could use a little when it comes to house-keeping. Fortunately, I’m doggedly determined about my writing … a good excuse for not keeping the house neater? Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
Spring cleaning is not one of my favorite things. I try to keep clutter up & dusting done around the house but not as much as I should. Right now I’m recovering from knee replacement surgery so it doesn’t seem likely I’ll do any spring cleaning this year! Maybe in the summer….
Attempting to do a spring clean with a bum knee is almost impossible, Janet! Sure, you could dust around waist level, but I’m assuming you are unable to kneel and pick things up off the floor with much ease. So, I hereby grant you the year off. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I try to stay on top of it year round so that things don’t get out of hand but things like turning mattresses and cleaning windows are seasonal. I also go through cupboards and closets several times a year so that it’s not such a big job every year in January.
Sounds as though you have a very good strategy for keeping your house clean all of year, Lori! Turning the mattress is such an accomplishment, not to mention cleaning windows. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have stared to do some spring cleaning,
Starting is the first step, Martha! Way to go. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Hate to do spring cleaning! Talk my daughter into doing most of the heavy moving and cleaning
What a great daughter you have, Sheila! She’s a good girl to help her mother do spring cleaning. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
as the golden years have arrived, I find I can’t do all the cleaning I used to do. my hope is to start throwing away, but even with that I’m going to need help. I was a pack rat, now I wish I had gotten rid of things a long time ago. so Kate….have fun and toss stuff out. with the floods in our region I was able to give away a lot of clothes. but save your hats!!!!!!!
A new hat catalog arrived the other day and is sitting with the rest of the catalogs, Virginia! I don’t need another hat nor another catalog. I do wish I had a cute Easter bonnet to wear on Sunday! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Pete
I am in the middle of Spring cleaning. I just got some new furniture, so it is indeed “out with the old, in with the new” for me right now.
A perfect reason to recycle and clean under your old furniture, Jeffry! I always find missing items under my couch. Just did last week. Don’t know how they hide so well. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
When Spring starts setting in, I get the itch to do a complete Spring clean..But I blew out my knee a few years ago.. AND did not have insurance to get it fixed… So I can only do so much at a time and CANNOT move furniture around like I used to.. PLUS my hubby is retired and he doesn’t like it when I start moving stuff around…hehehehe.. When I was younger ,I would break beds down and moved everything..I always started in the bedrooms and moved thru ,,finishing in the kitchen.. And its funny, just doing everyday cleaning picking up,I still start in the bedrooms.. After 38 years.. I’m a creature of habit I guess… I would love to win the beautiful table runner..and the book…Thank you.. Janice
You are a creature of good habits, Janice! Not being able to kneel or bend of the knee makes thorough cleaning difficult, not to mention moving furniture. Starting at the bedroom sounds like a good plan. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Spring cleaning!! What a chore. I need to get busy AFTER I recover from my knee surgery tomorrow morning. I’ll get a few weeks of rest before I really need to get started. Good thing I have a great husband who helps me around the house and with cooking as well. I noticed that you use some of the same cleaning supplies that we do! That window cleaner is the best!! Love the Amish books – my favorite reading!! Thanks for the chance to win this!! Can always use some more reading material, especially when I’m recuperating for a few weeks or more. Judy F
I don’t have a particular spring/fall cleaning schedule, however I love going from room to room by one at a time and cleaning from top to bottom. From ceiling fans to floors and curtains to bedding. Opening the windows and letting the fresh air in. This type of cleaning rejuvenates me to other projects I have put off for way to long. Love the feel of a fresh clean home.
Would love to win one of your books. The perfect compliment to a well cleaned home.
Blessings,
Cindy