Break Out the Mr. Clean (or Mr. Green)

At some point in the past, somebody decided spring meant scrubbing your home from top to bottom.

According to Wikipedia, in North America and northern Europe, the custom found a practical value due to those regions' continental and wet climates. During the 19th century in America, prior to the advent of the vacuum cleaner, March was often the best time for dusting because it was warm enough to open windows and doors (but not warm enough for bugs to be a problem), and the high winds could carry the dust out of the house. (Now that's my idea of the way to dust!)

For the same reason, modern rural households often use the month of March for cleaning projects involving the use of chemical products which generate fumes.

But whatever the origin, many of us undergo the sometimes daunting task of spring cleaning. Unless you are Monica Gellar from Friends who's idea of a good time is vacuuming her vacuum, you probably don't do a dance of joy at the idea of a major cleaning overhaul. But here are a few tips that can help make it more manageable.

1. Create a List
• Make a list of each room
• Bulletize what needs cleaned and organized by room
2. Divide the Tasks
• Everyone in the family should help
• Make it fun by creating a friendly competition
3. Have Supplies at the Ready
• Hit Target in advance and stock up on gloves, pails, rags, and other supplies (the most crucial being chocolate...)
4. Clean One Room at a Time
• Tackle the dirtiest room first and work your way down

When you are all done, be sure to celebrate the fact that you have a full year before you have to get down and dirty again!