h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Welcome to Talking Point. This is a semi-regular feature with topics introduced In 'Ask h2g2' from time to time.



Ahhh, Spring has sprung! It is time to get back outdoors for planting, picnics and strolls in the park. But first, we probably have a few chores to be done, Spring Cleaning in particular.

Do you have a Spring Cleaning routine, those household tasks that you only perform at this time of year? What are they? Have any great tips for getting them done more efficiently? Do you really enjoy Spring Cleaning or is it just a necessary evil?



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Witty Moniker

I will clean when I want to!

Or not.

What? Bath night already?

well spring cleaning normally consists of tidying up the garden...
I'm not sure that counts really

Is it that time of year again already.
Well first thing is to throw out that
Xmas turkey carcass. The robins
really love those old bones.

~jwf~

I cleaned out a cupboard on the equinox and claimed it was spring cleaning, in fact it was because I found an indisquishable something had mulched down at the back of it

I went out yesterday with some hedge clippers and chopped off the dried stems of last year's coneflowers, blackeyed susans, and coreopsis. This will make it easier for the new shoots and leaves to come up.

I need to rake last Autumn's leaves off the lawn.

'Never clean! After the first four years it doesn't get any worse.'

- Quentin Crisp.

it's that time of year when I take out the ironing board look at and remember what good friends we used to be when I only had myself to iron for I dust it down then pop it back and thats about my spring cleaning limit

I'm afraid not. If anything, my house gets worse because I want to be out and about in the new-found warmth and dryness! I love the Spring and find it very energising but that doesn't include housework.

Last weekend I cleaned out all the kitchen cupboards, washed all the washable items, threw out the canning that was dangerously old and re-lined all the drawers and cupboards with spiffy new 'no slip' liner which is currently bunching up everytime I put something in. Next weekend I go through the "I haven't worn it in a year so it's off to the Sally Ann" debate with my clothes closet. (Yes, it is a debate- I take both sides since the closet has no voice app.) After that it's time to clean out my workshop, which means blood (sharp bits on the floor), sweat (heavy machines to lift) and tears (allergies to tile dust and sawdust). Last night I redid 2 way switch I had mis-wired and started repairing the bathroom ceiling fan.

I'm not sure how Spring does this to me every year but it never fails to motivate.

Yes, I spring clean. Even though I *know* I should be outside enjoying the sun and working in the garden and on the allotment (although to be fair I have done all of that as well over the past two weekends).

I started with our room, cleaning the windows inside and out, cobwebbing, vacuuming the entire carpet and the bedhead (both using the upholstery brush - the carpet looks almost brand new again), dusting, sorting out the books and papers that had accumulated there over the winter, and dusting and rehanging pictures.

Living room windows and dusting/cobwebbing. Dusting and cobwebbing are supposed to happen every week under the family cleaning regime but to be honest I consider it a result if I've managed to get somebody to tidy up and run a vacuum over the carpet.

Earlier this week I wiped down all the kitchen cupboard fronts, gave the cooker a scrub (although it gets that most weeks) and cobwebbed the kitchen and hall.

Ideally I would take a couple of days off work and do the whole house top to bottom while there was only me in it - it's hard to get going while there are people here wanting food and doing untidy things like, y'know, breathing. As it is, it will take several weekends of dipping in and out. But then a weekend will come where I feel I've done enough (even if I haven't done it all) and that's it for another year.

Mol

I like to wipe it down with a good oil-based lubricant and give it a spray of WD40 to prevent it rusting over the winter.

B

That thing about it not getting any dirtier after four years... is wrong... its more than twice as bad after twice that length of time, as my lodger's bedroom demonstrated until last year he finally cleaned it for th e first time since about 2002...

See, when I first read Mu Beta's post, I assumed he was talking about his gentleman's equipment. Although the WD40 seemed a bit strange. On the *third* reading I realised he was talking about cleaning a spring

Mol

(took me a couple of reads too Mol, you are not alone!)

I wouldna got it if Mol hadn't pointed it out.
In fact I'd found the image of WD-40 somewhat disturbing.

No more silent springs!

~jwf~

I don't know whether to be impressed or offended by this sort of response.

B

to be honest I was only surprised it took you so long to get here...

I love the idea of spring cleaning but... that's usually as far as I get.

Well they do say it's the thought that counts!

Due to other life-stuff going on, my house has been getting by on a "lick & a promise" for the past six months and now even I'm noticing the cobwebs. So I have a long spring cleaning list which I hope to cross off bit by bit over the next couple of months. A lot of the jobs are little ten minute things which I hope to do while my dinner's cooking. We'll see. My relationship with housework has never been brilliant, life's too short for such mundane stuff!

Deb