The Best Ways to Conquer your Spring Cleaning
Apr 16, 2020 | Spring Cleaning |
Where and When Did Spring Cleaning Begin?
Spring cleaning is a term that refers to the process of cleaning a home and clearing it of any dirt or debris that has built up during the previous winter. It is an ancient practice that goes back many centuries. In some instances, it is believed to have begun as an agricultural practice.
One of the most common spring cleaning practices is to clean the house before the flowers begin to bloom. Spring cleaning is also a way to refresh a house after a long winter.
While it is possible to trace the origin of the word “spring cleaning” back thousands of years, there is a more likely explanation. That is, it may have been used by the British in the early 1800s as a farming phrase. By the late 1700s, the term was already used as a household phrase in parts of the United States.
Some believe that it has its origins in the ritual of clearing stubble from fields before sowing new crops. Other theories include that it is related to the Chinese New Year or the Persian New Year.
Another possible origin of the spring cleaning ritual is the practice of cleaning the house before the first day of Great Lent. Greeks and Iranians perform a thorough clean of their houses before the beginning of the Lent. They call this the Ninyabaat. Usually, the holiday begins on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month.
The Persian New Year, or Nowruz, is a springtime holiday in Iran. During the holidays, Iranians clean their houses, replace damaged items, and buy new clothes. There is a tradition called khaneh tekani, which translates to “shaking the house.”
Many people also think that the spring cleaning tradition has its roots in the ancient Buddhist purification rituals. The Buddhists used the spring as a time to wash away bad thoughts and behaviors. These beliefs may explain why the ancients cleaned their homes thoroughly before the beginning of the New Year.
Spring Cleaning in Our Neck of the Woods
It seems sensible why you usually focus your spring cleaning efforts inside your home: More than not, the beginning of the season is still too chilly to spend some time outdoors. But, you do not wish to rush to receive your garden ready for your Memorial Day barbecue or even worse miss out on spring planting season (this is our favorite season at G&L Bark!). Once it’s no longer freezing, then you need to go ahead on your spring yard clean up. Since handling your whole home and yard at once can be overwhelming, take things one step at a time by following this checklist. Your lawn is the first place you should start. After the last of the snow is gone, look through your yard for any trouble spots and after that tackle issues head-on with these guidelines and tips: If heavy traffic and puppy messes have ruined your shrubs, scatter soil over the region with a mixture of grass seeds and fertilizer. Keep dirt damp till the seeds turn into grass. Remove any debris cluttering your lawn: Pick up any branches or twigs, clean leftover pet messes, and rake leaves when the floor is dry. Rather than bagging leaves and twigs up, use them as the base for a mulch pile. Give your plants a firm base to build upon by cutting off any dead, dying, or diseased branches. While you are at it, cut back any branches which are encroaching on paths or higher traffic areas, so that they do not get broken off throughout the summer and spring months. This will not only make your garden more inviting, but it allows more sun and air to get to the center of shrubs and trees. Not all plants are created equal, thus follow this pruning manual to ensure related to your right: Ornamental herbs: Tie the top of the grass for fast and simple cutting, and after that snip as close to the floor as possible. Semi woody Perennials: Cut back butterfly shrubs and Russian sage to approximately 4 inches tall. Broad-leaved Evergreens: Prune any injured foliage from evergreens such as holly or boxwood firethorn. Wait to market. Flowering Trees: Before the roses and hydrangeas flower, remove the dead, damaged or crowded stems and cut or form back as desired.
After that, you’re on your way to a better yard.
