Our weather continues to jump high to the 80s and back down again to the 50s. I have been taking advantage of the warmth to begin to do some light spring cleaning. More than anything, I am beginning to pay attention to what will need my attention. Our home gets very dusty, more so than any other place that we lived. My cleaning will begin there, bit by bit. I often operate as an all-or-nothing person so I can tend to wear myself out by trying to do it all in a day. And if I can’t? Why bother. Just keep waiting for that perfect day. Over the years I have learned that “something is better than nothing”, and I tell myself that phrase repeatedly when it comes to cleaning, exercise, reading, writing, creativity. That phrase keeps me from perfectionism and honors the truth that any effort makes a difference, and small differences matter.
I typically use Swiffer cloths to dust. For many years I used microfiber cloths, but it didn’t take long for them to lose their efficacy. I buy Swiffer cloths in bulk at Costco, and just use them in my hand. I don’t even mess with the Swiffer duster system much anymore. Give me a cloth and 20 minutes and I can get a room dusted pretty well. They are easy for children to use, and it’s great to hand one to a child and have them do the baseboards in a room. I also stand on a chair or a small ladder and wipe my ceiling fans with them too. I learned from the Lazy Genius many years ago to wipe my bathroom sinks with a Swiffer cloth before I spray and wipe them down. No more wet, creepy, blue-gray balls on those surfaces.
I purchased several silver-plated trays and pieces this winter and am researching how to store most of them over the summer. I love using them as the calendar inches its way towards Halloween and then onwards to Easter. After that, I want my house to feel airy and light. Polishing silver can be a very meditative act, and seeing the shiny difference between tarnished and clean is satisfying. After a thrift store adventure, my 11 year old son enjoys polishing the darkened pieces that I bring home because the bright contrast is like bringing something back from the dead. I think that I may just wrap some of the silver in old bath towels to slow the tarnishing process down.
We have a local friend who does commercial window cleaning, and I am hoping to get his advice and assistance on cleaning our windows this year. We have many, many windows, and I never get them as clear as I would like. The difference in grimy windows and sparkling ones is astounding; it’s as if you had been living in a muted fog and now in brilliant technicolor glory. But that’s for another day, another month. For now, I pick up my dusting cloths and make my way slowly around, here a little and there a little. Something is better than nothing.
Enjoy these small Spring beginnings,
Aimee
I'm enjoying reading your posts. Thought provoking, helpful, and lovely photographs of your home. This one photo of the lady cleaning and her outfit is lovely to look at.... BUT, we have it so much easier!!! 😊 You have a nice way of decorating for comfort and it looks so cozy. Thank you for sharing.