I grew up in the 50s and 60s, when everyone did the big Spring Cleaning thing. Every spring, without fail, my mama would get the big bucket from the back porch, fill it with warm water and mix in a healthy sprinkle of Spic & Span. Do you remember the orange and blue box with the blue writing on it? She dug out old wash cloths to use as our cleaning rags.
Then, she would ceremoniously hand me my ěhonorary cleaning rag,î and say, ěOk, letís get to work on these baseboards.î She started on the wide, white baseboards on one side of the kitchen and I started on the other side and we’d meet in the middle.
As mamas do, she instructed me in detail about how to wring out the rag so I wouldnít drip water all over the floor. I was so glad we were using Spic & Span because ó and I quote from the TV commercial ó ěOnce over lightly, no rinsing, no wiping.î
Now, washing baseboards in the spring was not on MY to-do list. I didnít know what a baseboard was and I really could not have cared less whether it was clean or dirty. However, my mama felt otherwise. So I slopped the Spic & Span- soaked rag along the baseboards. Occasionally I peeked over my shoulder to see how mama was coming along on her side of the kitchen. Finally, after what seemed like hours, but was more likely only minutes, we completed the ěwashing of the baseboards.î Mama had a big smile on her face because the baseboards were sparkling clean and she could mark that off her Spring Cleaning list. I, on the other hand, had wet knees (because I didnít wring out my rag) and a slight frown on my face. I must say, I was a little confused because I didnít see the mothers on TV like Harriet Nelson, Donna Reid or June Cleaver in their pearls and aprons, down on their knees washing baseboards.
Mama had lots of other things on her Spring Cleaning list like washing windows and curtains…and I do mean ALL the curtains. Mercifully, I did not have to participate in all the spring cleaning activities. Although, I kinda liked washing windows because we used the thick, pink glass wax that you put on with a cloth and waited to dry to a chalky film. I just loved drawing with my finger on the dried wax before wiping it off.
I really donít know if people still spring clean (like my mama used to clean) but I later learned that a fresh clean start each spring was a good thing. You feel a sense of accomplishment and order. It’s just good for the soul….cleanliness is next to Godliness, you know.
Every year Mother Nature spring cleans right before our very eyes. She dusts and cleans the earth with breezes and showers. You can even see old leaves being pushed off as the new leaves unfold. Mother Nature also knows a thing or two about decorating. This year my buttercups were breathtaking, my lilacs were magnificent and my iris are spectacular.
There is also another kind of spring cleaning. We may have closets in our minds or windows in our hearts that feel a bit cluttered and dull and in need a good cleaning or straightening up. Maybe itís a relationship that needs a little Spic & Span or you need to take better care of yourself, or concern for our children or parents that need attention.
There are so many things that can clutter the closets of our lives. You might de-clutter by giving away a smile, share flowers from your garden, spend a few minutes with someone you haven’t visited lately or carry out random acts of kindness. When you give of yourself, be it on your knees cleaning baseboards or on your knees asking God to give you a renewed spirit and a clean heart, that is the best way to clean….from the inside out.
There are many ways to clean, and I’ve found the best thing to do is ědust your cares with prayers.î Happy Spring Cleaning!
Cathy Cress Eller writes childrenís books and lives in Salisbury. Contact her at www.cathyellerbooks.com