It’s almost time for spring cleaning. Do people still do that? Is it even a thing anymore? Do you still spring clean? You probably don’t to the degree you once did. Am I right? Lots of household things are not like they used to be. Do you remember your mom or you having an ironing day?  Crazy, isn’t it? A whole day dedicated to ironing everything that needed ironing. I can still see my mom standing behind the ironing board with freshly starched and ironed clothes hanging all around her. There is just something satisfying about ironed clothes. They are just so neat. I loved to iron and loved helping her iron. 

I also remember a neighbor I had when my kids were babies. She was a good bit older than me and still subscribed to the “ironing day” mentality. I had not bought into it yet. She ironed on Tuesday. I always knew she would be home on Tuesday because she ironed on Tuesday. I really don’t know what happened if she was sick on a Tuesday or if an emergency came up. I guess she tried to catch up on Thursday or Friday. 

To this day, I don’t have an ironing day. I try to avoid clothes that need ironing and, if I have some that require it, I use the “iron as you go” technique. I decide what I’m going to wear, then I ask myself, “Does it need ironing?” If I answer myself yes, then I iron it. Since I moved my ironing board into my closer, it works for me!

Now that we’ve covered ironing, let’s go back to the original topic—spring cleaning. I do manage some form of spring cleaning. It may not be as in depth and elaborate as the spring cleanings of yesteryear, but I do make an attempt. I thought I would share some things I try to get done as the frost leaves the air and new colors start to blossom in our yard. I would love to hear what you get done on your spring cleaning list. 

1. On the first warmish day that I’m free, I thoroughly clean out my garage. I love to drive into a freshly cleaned garage. It amazes me that I have done this chore so many times, yet every spring, it needs it again. Where does all the junk come from??? No need to answer that. It’s me! So, I take some giant trash bags to the garage and start chunking anything that is trash. That seems easy, but typically we hold on to stuff way too long, so I also have plenty of boxes available to put things in that could go to a church-runned thrift store. Next, I sweep or blow out the entire garage, being sure to get those corners where the leaves love to congregate. Once everything is either thrown away or given away, then swept out, I neatly put back the things I plan to keep, for at least another year. Then I just walk around and admire my work. Good job ME!
2. My focus seems to be outdoors, so the next thing I tackle is the front and back porch. I put on some great music and get after it. Of course, picking a sunny day will help too. Like the garage, just seeing my porches free of leaves and sparkly clean makes me feel good. I have a ping-pong table on the back porch. I love to wipe it down and see the bright green color underneath. Don’t forget to look for those throw pillows that didn’t fare so well during the weather months and throw them away. Replacing them with some fresh new colors will quickly update your porches. Also, throw away those ferns left from last summer. Nothing says dead-of-winter like a dried up brown fern. One thing I do because we live in Louisiana is I cover my couches and chairs just before pollen season with sheets, so I don’t have to clean yellow pollen in April or May. 
3. Inside the house brings its own checklist, but I make sure I dust or wipe down all furniture tops and under every piece of furniture. It’s amazing how dusty the space under your bed and dresser in your bedroom can get during the winter. If you don’t believe me, get on your hands and knees and take a look. It will frighten you! So, February or March is the perfect time to get on the ground and clean out from underneath the bed, the chest of drawers, the night stands, the desk—well, you get the picture. And, clean the tops. If you’re not tall enough, get a step stool and dust away. 
4. Clean all the window. It’s finally time to let the sunshine in, but it won’t be very pretty if you’re seeing it through fingerprints and dust. Clean every window inside and out and watch your house shine. 
5. One last thing, check the batteries on your fire detection devices. Typically, they say this has to be done twice a year. Also, check your carbon monoxide detector. Ours has been out for a while, so we’re getting it done this week!  If you’re the mom, as your children get older, be sure to teach them about the fire detection and carbon monoxide detectors. If you don’t teach them, who will?

That’s my spring cleaning list. If you need more help with organization, look for printable lists on Pinterest. I found lots of helpful advice there. Comment below what is your “have to get it done” spring cleaning item.