5 Historical Oddities About Spring Cleaning

1. Ancient Egyptian Dusting Routines – The ancient Egyptians cleaned their homes by scrubbing with a paste made of clay and sand. They believed cleanliness helped maintain a connection with the gods.

2. Medieval Airing Out Rituals – In the Middle Ages, people would take all their furniture outside during spring to air it out, believing fresh air would drive away illness-causing spirits.

3. Victorian “Household Poison” Cleansers – In the 1800s, people used arsenic and lead-based cleaners to scrub their homes—completely unaware of the health risks.

4. Early Soap Innovations – Soap-making was so vital in colonial America that families would spend an entire week rendering animal fat and ashes to create their own cleaning products.

5. The Origin of Spring Cleaning – Many believe the tradition comes from ancient Persia, where “khooneh tekouni” (literally “shaking the house”) was a pre-New Year’s deep cleaning ritual.

5 Spring Cleaning Hacks (and Why They Work!)

1. Use a Pillowcase to Dust Ceiling Fans

Why? Instead of letting dust fly everywhere, trap it inside a pillowcase! Just slip an old pillowcase over the fan blade, press gently, and pull it off—the dust stays inside, making cleanup easier.

2. Microwave a Lemon to Loosen Grime

Why? The steam from a microwaved lemon (cut in half and placed in a bowl of water) softens stuck-on food and grease inside your microwave, making it easy to wipe clean. Plus, it leaves a fresh citrus scent!

3. Shower Squeegee for Pet Hair Removal

Why? Instead of vacuuming repeatedly, a rubber squeegee is an effortless way to pull embedded pet hair from carpets and furniture. The rubber’s friction lifts hair easily, saving you time and effort.

4. Vinegar and Baking Soda for a Magic Mattress Refresh

Why? Over time, mattresses absorb sweat and odors. Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress, let it sit for 15 minutes, then spray with vinegar. The fizzing action lifts stains and odors, leaving your bed fresh and clean.

5. Clean Your Blinds with Tongs and Microfiber Cloths

Why? Instead of wiping one slat at a time, wrap microfiber cloths around each side of a pair of tongs and secure them with rubber bands. This makes it easy to clean both sides of the blinds at once, cutting your cleaning time in half!

"I Must Be Trippin’" – A Funny Spring Cleaning Poem

I grabbed my mop, I had a plan,
To scrub the floors, do all I can.
I sprayed some cleaner on the tile,
Then slipped and slid a whole damn mile!

The dust bunnies laughed as they ran free,
The cobwebs giggled right at me.
My mop just snapped, my rag took flight,
This deep clean might take all night!

The windows streaked, the sink still stank,
I found old socks behind the tank!
I swear next year I’ll have a clue—
Or just pay someone else to do it too!

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. With these clever hacks, a little historical perspective, and a sense of humor, you can tackle the mess and enjoy a fresh start to the season. Happy cleaning!