Spring Cleaning Challenge: The Why

Heather says:

Happy first day of spring!

Last week I mentioned that we here at Home Ec 101 would be participating in a Spring Cleaning Challenge with IDreamofClean and others and today is the kick off to the Spring Cleaning Challenge which will end April 5 at 11:59EST. Make sure you scroll to the bottom to link up your Spring Cleaning accomplishments and enter to win one of the 2 Washer/Dryer sets, Closet Organization System and Steam Mop!

Why did Spring Cleaning become a tradition?

In the past many homes were heated with wood fire or coal stoves, both of which produce soot that gets deposited on walls, windows, and flooring. Over the winter this soot and the mud and filth tracked in would build up. Spring cleaning meant opening the windows wide, washing the walls, welcoming in the fresh air and cleaning out the dust, soot, and mud from the winter.

While many newer homes have forced air or other means of heating, it's still nice to open the windows in the spring and welcome in the new season. Improved heating methods also have done nothing to stop the tracked in mess of mud and salt.

Finally spring cleaning serves as a convenient time to perform annual and semi-annual chores both inside and outside of the home.

Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors.Check your fire extinguisher(s).Wash your windows.Rotate mattresses.Inspect the roof and gutters (April showers and all)Clean curtains, drapery, and carpetingClean down comforters (perhaps it's time to prep it for storage)

Today at iDreamofClean the focus is on deep cleaning the bathroom.

Here are the other participating hostesses:

Spring Clean: Bathrooms :: i Dream of Clean
Spring Clean: Floors and Windows :: Amy's Finer Things
Spring Clean: The Kitchen :: Tidy Mom
Spring Clean: Home Office :: Untrained Housewife
Spring Clean: Declutter Around the House :: Live Renewed
Spring Clean : Main Living Area :: Biblical Homemaking
Spring Clean: Conquering the Kids' Room :: Living Well Spending Less
Spring Clean: Outdoor Living Spaces :: The Greenbacks Gal
Spring Clean: Garage and Cars :: Organize365

Now it's your turn to share your Spring Cleaning accomplishments. If you are posting a link from your blog, please make sure to link to your Spring Cleaning post, not your homepage. Also, to spread the word about the Spring Cleaning Challenge to your readers, please make sure to include a link back to one of the hostesses! If you don't have a blog, you can link to an online photo album.