Lady of the Mote's shared items

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Snowed in,Spring Cleaning


OK it maybe to early for some of you to think of spring cleaning,but
winter has a deep hold on us,snowed in,I have started doing some spring cleaning,
right now I am in the process of repainting the guest room,
and trying to go thru the list at the bottom of the page,


Spring cleaning
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History
It has been suggested that the origins of spring cleaning date back to the Iranian Norouz, the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring[citation needed]. This theory has been questioned, however, as Iranians (along with the majority of the population of the ancient near east) held to a lunar calendar and not a solar one and spring was not calculated the same way that society does today. Iranians continue the practice of "khooneh tekouni" which literally means "shaking the house" just before the new year. Everything in the house is thoroughly cleaned, from the drapes to the furniture.
A more likely origin of spring cleaning can be traced to the ancient Jewish practice (a full 700 years before Persian culture emerged) of thoroughly cleansing the home in anticipation of the spring-time holiday of Passover (Hebrew: פסח pesach‎). In remembrance of the Jews' hasty flight from Egypt following their captivity there, during the eight-day holiday there is a strict prohibition against eating anything which may have been leavened. Jews not are not only supposed to refrain from leavened foodstuffs (known in Hebrew as חמץ chametz), they are expressly commanded to rid their homes of even small remnants of chametz for the length of the holiday (Exodus 12:15). Therefore, for the past 3,500 years, observant Jews have conducted a thorough "spring cleaning" of the house, followed by a traditional hunt for chametz crumbs by candlelight (called bedikat chametz [Hebrew: בדיקת חמץ]) on the evening before the holiday begins.
In North America and northern Europe, the custom found an especial practical value due to those regions' continental and wet climates. During the 19th century in America, prior to the advent of the vacuum cleaner, March was often the best time for dusting because it was getting warm enough to open windows and doors (but not warm enough for insects to be a problem), and the high winds could carry the dust out of the house. For the same reason, modern rural households often use the month of March for cleaning projects involving the use of chemical products which generate fumes.

Cultural references
In Greece, and other Orthodox nations, it is traditional to clean the house thoroughly either right before or during the first week of Great Lent, which is referred to as Clean Week.


Spring Cleaning: A Complete Checklist
A Spring Cleaning Extravaganza

6 comments:

Dawn Marie said...

I've kinda started to. I dont think its to early ya know why? Because once the warmer temps actually hit..I want to get outside! Thats when I begin moving the yard furniture out, shopping for new things, cleaning up the wintry yard and no way do i want to be inside anymore. So yep pull out those cleaning buckets and lets get going!

Febuary to me is the official marking of warm weather is on its way.

Shelley said...

I have a lot of spring cleaning to do - now is as good as time as any! Especially as we're trying to sell our downstate home.

Mimi said...

Not only do Orthodox have Clean Monday, but during the time prior to Lent, after Theophany (January 6th) we have an annual houseblessing where the priest comes over and blesses your house with holy water.

Ours was yesterday, and my house is sparkling.

grammy said...

Just can't bring myself to do that yet. Interesting article about Spring cleaning.

The Gathering Room said...

Part of my spring cleaning will be helping my son move to his apt..so it will be reorganizing time as well. I like to start early so it is all done before spring gardening starts. also helps these cold cold winters move by faster when busy right? LOL

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Thanks for the inspiration! Enjoyed my visit!

Hugs,
Maryjane