A few days before I got a call: an interview by a
press agency. The wanted some advice about spring cleaning and similar household
questions.
You might know that I have written a book HomeBasics,
which is in the fourth edition now and sells well. So I am an “expert”. But
what shall I say to spring cleaning?
If you follow a certain routine, it just isn’t
necessary any more, I think. It was very valuable when they heated with coal
and the walls were covered with a film of soot – but nowadays?
Of course one can do a few things like getting the
upholstered furniture cleaned or rummaging through your wardrobe (the
journalist liked my tip to take a picture from your clothes before putting them
away - after you have washed them or fetched them from the dry-cleaner, and
before putting some mothproofing inside the containers). I have those pictures
on my computer now, because last year – errm – I bought 3 (three!) white
jackets in spring – and then came Husband and brought me the boxes I stored in
our house in Hildesheim – and inside I found – errm – some more white jackets –
I had forgotten that I owned them… That will never happen again!
(Now I look into my computer, let’s say in February –
and discover that I have ONLY 4 white jackets, so I hurry to the KaDeWe J No, of course that is nonsense: at the moment I try
to manage my wardrobe so that I wear most items often.)
I am really interested: do you do any special spring
cleaning?
16 comments:
What a cute picture! I like your idea to photograph before storage.
With that photograph, you make the thought of spring cleaning almost appealing (and, by my lights, that's saying a great deal). Here, you may predict, is my favorite point you make: "If you follow a certain routine, it just isn’t necessary any more, I think." In stark and sensible contrast, I think, to an article in the New York Times on the subject here that I think you may find amusing. In our household, the way we manage is to get a little help year round. It is the single most important thing, we both agree, that has contributed to our longevity as mates.
Do moths still eat clothes? I don't think I've ever seen a moth eat any of my stuff, although I do have a lousy taste in clothes.
Spring cleaning to me, in 2012, means tidying the linen closets, going through my clothes and making a BIG pile for the charity shop, taking down plates and pictures and giving them a good dusting. When I was at home it was easy to keep up with things, doing a little every day. I find now, that working full time (and with a few more years on myself!) that I am tired at the end of the day and rarely do more from Monday through Friday than throw in a load of laundry or tidy books and papers. Spring cleaning (just before the wedding!) will mean washing woodwork, washing all the windows and turning out the guest rooms in preparation for guests.
We do a big clean up --washing windows and the porch furniture, wash off the deck----AFTER the pine pollen is done. I should go through my clothes more thoroughly, give a lot to the Goodwill.
Britta, I tend to be almost severe with maintenance (austere?) If I don't love it or use it, I donate it or sell it. I don't like for things to build up and since I've been in the swing of that method all of my adult life, I find I acquire with just as much stringency. When you have 100 skirts, what's another? But when you have a half dozen, well, you tend to weight the acquisition with a lot more care.
And, my goodness, what a sweet photograph of you!
Dear Britta,
you are so nice cleaning the house.
I have to do the same, but since today I did not had the right inspiration ... maybe next week!
I have to clean windows ... I don't like. I have to clean on top of wardrobe ... I have to better clean all!
Is better if I don't take pictures before clean, is better after!
Bisous, Babi
Wardrobe management is a real issue! Limited space, and I always worry about parting with things in case I have a sudden and urgent need for them. Just have to let go!!
Autumn cleaning here.
Penny x
Dear Sparrow&Sparkle,
thank you - it really makes it easier (also to know which shoes are in which box)
Dear Susan,
"almost" appealing - that is the right word for spring cleaning. My book is a mixture of real tips AND fun - I wrote it for young men, so I tried not to set a goal like "perfect" - only what you can get away with. (Interesting: the girls complained that they need as much advice as young men - mothers often are not longer able to show the tricks/routine). Here in Berlin our windows are so high that fot them we have hired help, I hate to climb high ladders in High Heels... - the other things I do myself (then I know how it was done). Your link was interesting - thank you!
Dear Tony,
moths do have an excellent taste in clothes: they munched three little holes into my very best cashmere sweater - und with precision just into the front, so one cannot hide a darned spot (except by wearing a tiny decolétage at the back :-)
Dear Pondside,
I can follow you on that - I remember times when in the evening I was so exhausted from work that I only grabbed the newspaper or remote control. Dusting pictures, dusting stucco at the heigh ceiling (and thus annoying a dear little spider), cleaning light switches, dusting books one by one - these are things I don't do every week.
Now that you will have so many guests for the wedding, there is of course even more to do. But I am sure: they all will feel perfectly at home with you. I wish you a splendid feast!
Dear Janet,
pollen is really a big challenge. And a porch or balcony brings a lot of more work.
Dear Suze,
that is a sound and good method to work with! A problem for me is that my things keep often very well - and I still use them - but sometimes I want a bit of variety, so I really don't need another one, but want it. Half a dozen skirts are really enough - I read a book with the title "Three black dresses a woman needs" (a little strange was that the author confessed that she owned only two).
Dear Babi,
but I only look that nice when someone with a camera is near :-) I substitute the 'right inspiration' by inviting someone - then magically I feel more convinced to do the cleaning.
Dear Plaits and Paisley,
and I think you are right! Contrary to what a lot of books say: I was seldom glad when I threw out the lot, when it is perfectly OK and timeless when elegant. But what is important: I think well before buying. (Well: Most of the time - the three white jackets must have been the wish for a real, real hot summer)
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