Clean up and Spruce up for Spring
© L.C. Dumke
I looked out the window today and saw a site I could hardly believe. I know it's late March and that spring technically arrived a week ago. But in years past, I remember spring sort of edging its way into winter, with a warm day here, a warm day there. This year, however, it was cold one day then the next day (and every day after that) it was warm. My lawn went from its typical light brownish-green to vivid green overnight. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and a light film of yellow pollen is already forming on my car, my front stoop and my windows sills. So much for easing into spring.
So this year, as in most years, many people get the itch to redecorate as spring arrives. But hold on just a minute, I have a favor to ask of you: don't. Yes, the woman who lives to redecorate and encourage others to do the same is asking you to control that urge to redecorate your home. But it's for a very good reason: I want to you clean your home first.
Oh sure, cleaning your space probably isn't the most fun you can have on a weekend. But if you're going to redecorate you really need to do this first. If you're shaking your head saying "nope, not me, my house is just as clean as a whistle, thanks very much for asking," I urge you to answer the following questions:
- Is your refrigerator drip pan overflowing? (If your answer is "What's a drip pan?" then it probably is.)
- Have you moved your stove, your washing machine and your dryer lately to see what growing villages of crumbs, spare socks and dust bunnies are thriving in those areas?
- Are your clothing closets neat and organized, with season-appropriate items ready to grab and off-season items stored elsewhere? Have you donated everything that doesn't fit (or please you) to charity?
- How are your baseboards and windowsills? How about the other woodworkdoorframesdoorframes and crown molding? Is there a layer of dust on them you could write your name it? (Hint: You should not be able to do this.)
- Have your rugs been vacuumed, shaken out and maybe even shampooed lately? How's your carpeting?
- Look up at your ceiling fans-can you see dust on them that will be flung across your room the next time you turn it on?
- And the one everyone hates to hear: Have you removed and washed your windows screen lately?
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