Thursday, April 29, 2021

Monthly Musings: Spring Cleaning

I'm linking up with Holly and Patty to muse about spring cleaning. You would think with all this time I've had at home lately that spring cleaning would be at the top of my list. Spoiler alert: It's not. I'd rather nap or read. I told Dave the other day, "I can't find my meaning in a clean house when it's just going to get dirty again in a month." So with that caveat, on with the questions.


1) Are you doing a spring cleaning this year?

I am not doing specific spring cleaning this year, although I probably should. We honestly tend to do our deeper cleans in the winter when it just isn't as nice to be outside.

2) Favourite cleaning products?

We just use old dishcloths or washcloths as rags and then warm water. Maybe a bit of dish soap if we're really scrubbing at something but I don't have great products.

3) What is your must clean for every spring?

Usually the biggest thing is just washing and packing away all the winter gear. I haven't done that yet this year because it might snow again. But that's the biggest spring job I tackle. I'd love to wash all our curtains and hang them on the laundry line but, thanks to the renovations next door, our laundry line hasn't been as available this spring. Boo.

4) Any garage/shed cleaning tips?

We do tend to clean our garage out every year in the fall and spring. My biggest tip is empty it all out and only put back what you'll use. We use that empty out time to get rid of things we haven't used in awhile. It seems like every six months, there is something more we can get rid of.

5) Pack rat or Marie Kondo devotee?

We're definitely Marie Kondo devotees over here. We're always getting rid of stuff. None of us can really stand clutter.

6) Best cleaning hack?

Make your bed. The rest of a room will look amazing if the bed is made! Same for folding all the blankets neatly in the living room. Hahaha!

7) Do you have help with house cleaning?

Only from my family. I make the kids clean things when they're misbehaving. "You're driving me nuts -- wipe out the oven drawer!" It works :)

8) Favourite cleaning appliance?

Ummm... my washer. We don't have any cleaning appliances.

9) Run the dishwasher every night or just when full?

We don't have a dishwasher. We've never had one in our fourteen years together. We'd love to get one eventually but it will probably require a kitchen renovation. We usually do the dishes once or twice a day.

10) Favourite way to donate or purge unneeded items?

We have an empty bag continually waiting to be filled in our front hall closet. Most items go to the thrift store but we take all our books to Free Little Libraries in our neighbourhood. Getting rid of items is one thing we're really good at! Sadly, our thrift store is closed during our province's current lockdown because we have three bags of clothes (from the kids' drawers) to go there.

I'm looking forward to reading the other blogs in the link up because clearly I need some spring cleaning motivation! Or support in my lack of spring cleaning :) Hahaha!!!

13 comments:

  1. I am so with you on just making the bed makes everything look Better. And I learned about 25 years ago that I just sleep Better when I get into a made bed.

    Thanks for joining Holly and me!
    Patty
    GoodBetterBestFood.blogspot.com

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  2. Making the bed is such a great tip & also keeping out the clutter. That helps so much with a clean house. Sounds like y'all do a great job! Crazy to think you still may get some snow!!

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  3. I always forget you don't have a dishwasher, though I know that!! You are my hero! :) I think Ryan misses having a garage to clean out. LOL!

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  4. State of the bed, state of the head LOL.... I'm the same... I've really got to start donating to free little libraries. You are old school with the no dishwasher and cleaning appliances and I really love it!

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  5. We haven't had many donation places open available with the pandemic either and I had so much stuff piling up that I finally ended up putting it all in the dumpster-- I felt so guilty doing that but just can not hold onto things for an endless amount of time. I usually have packed away all our winter gear by now but I am patiently waiting this year for at least another few weeks because it seems like every single year that the minute I pack it all away we end up needing it again.

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    1. They're calling for snow again tomorrow but I really hope they're wrong.

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  6. I have to make my bed! It makes SUCH a difference!!

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  7. Totally agree on made beds and folded throw blankets!! Those make a huge difference! However, I would recommend finding a delightful cleaning spray- I am more inclined to actually clean things when I can look forward to using a spray I like, hahaha. "Buying stuff" tends to be my answer to every problem, so take it for what it's worth. Signed, an American with waaaaay too much stuff. ;)

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  8. I think we can safely put away the winter things this weekend. I usually keep one toque out per person, just in case.
    Yes, folding blankets is really all I have energy for somedays!

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  9. I try to make my bed each morning and fold up the blankets in the living room too. It does make things look more put together even if you have other messes.

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  10. You are so right on making the beds- great habit- thanks for linking up!

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  11. We clean our garage once a year (by "we", I mean "me") and I agree, just take everything out and only put back what you need. I'll have neighbors who comment on how clean our garage is, simply because I refuse to let it be a dumping ground for stuff we don't need! Also, agree on the make your bed thing! It absolutely changes a room.

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