by Kim Perrone

Are you having nightmares of a giant white glove knocking at your door? Clearly, it’s about time to open (and clean!) the windows — not to mention the rest of the house. The question is: How will you accomplish the task in time for summer?

SPRING INTO ACTION
   Notify the whole gang ahead-of-time that they are in for a few weeks of renewing the household. (Nobody likes to be handed a mop without warning!) Set reasonable goals for each day, so you’ll approach bedtime with a satisfied smile, overriding that funny feeling in your back muscles.

    In her new book, Cleaning Up the Clutter: Easy Ways to Keep the Family Organized (Harvest House, 2004), Emilie Barnes outlines the jobs that can be handled by certain age groups. For example, a three-year-old can get dressed and pick up toys; a seven-year-old can iron and sweep and an eight-year-old can wash mirrors and polish shoes.

Although spring cleaning isn’t a party, you can incorporate celebratory elements. Put on energetic music, use a timer to hold clean-up challenges, make fun snacks to sustain everybody, and don’t be afraid to dance through your chores. Keep in mind — housework alone can burn 148 to 246 calories per hour.

NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED
Make a list of annual touch-ups, as well as chores you’ve been neglecting. Some oft-overlooked suggestions: sort the junk drawer(s); sanitize the kitchen cupboards; run a cycle of bleach through your washing machine; check hoses for wear, and scout out high corners for cobwebs. As well, don’t forget to flip those mattresses!

Disgusted with rusty fixtures? You might not need to replace them just yet. In her book, Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean (Pocket Books, 1998), Linda Cobb suggests rubbing off the rust with salt and lemon juice.

Don’t neglect routine indoor/outdoor maintenance such as heat system servicing and replacing splintering deck boards. For a maintenance checklist, visit www.experthomeadvice.com/cleaning-services/checklist-spring-cleaning.html .

TEAM SPIRIT
Take the opportunity to reorganize your kids’ play-area for easier clean-up times. Mike Nelson, author of Stop Clutter From Wrecking Your Family (Career Press, 2004) advises, “If you involve your kids in the designing of systems ... you give them a sense of control over their possessions and their lives.”

Place shelves and drawers at height-level. Label brightly-coloured bins with pictures of what belongs in them, making sure to group items so the system makes sense to your children.

While older children can whittle away a list of tasks, give little ones Swiffer dusters! Kids will like the way they glide over surfaces, making the dust disappear — and hey, the name is fun to say!

TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Are you fearful of the amount of harsh chemicals in some cleaning products? Check out the cleaning tips on Cobb’s website (www.queenofclean.com/tips) . She uses alternatives including white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and club soda as cleaners, mild abrasives, disinfectants and spot removers. As well, learn to make your own cleaning wipes at www.organizedhome.com/clean/wipes.html .

SPRING FLING
When in doubt, throw it out. The FLY Lady home organization system (www.flylady.net)  suggests sorting through clutter using three boxes labeled Give Away, Throw Away, and Put Away.
When de-cluttering with kids, Nelson promotes using tools like treasure hunts (where is that missing shoe?), awards, hugs, kisses and humour. He urges, “ ... do what you can to make your relationship more important than things.”
Consider donating items you no longer need to organizations like the Salvation Army (www.nro.salvationarmy.ca/english/DonationAB.htm) , or Goodwill (www.goodwill.ab.ca) .Also, bring used books to libraries and/or reading programs.

COME CLEAN
While we’re busy coaxing spring through our windows with fresh scents and material order, let’s remember to renew our souls as well.

Lost without the spiritual Swiffer? Spend time engulfed in God’s presence by joining your children in playfulness. If you love books, seek out inspirational titles like Joy Krause’s Spring Cleaning for the Soul (Abbondanza, 1998).

Since you’re on your knees anyway with a scrub brush, take the opportunity to pray. Perhaps request, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

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