Nov. 7, 2011 issue
Time for some deep cleaning
By Melodie DavisPage:
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In fall my thoughts turn to fall cleaning. If you are under 35 you will probably say, “What is that?”
Davis
It was an effort twice a year, spring and fall, to do deep, thorough housecleaning: taking down curtains, washing mattress covers, airing mattresses and pillows, washing windows, washing down walls. It was possible only in the days of full-time stay-at-home moms or hired help.
This spring as the countdown to our daughter’s wedding in June was nearing, I confessed on Facebook: “So tell me why, if your daughter is getting married, you feel a compulsion to clean the house from top to bottom even though the wedding guests are not setting foot on your property? And your family who will be there won’t really care if the grease off the top of the cupboards is cleaned?”
Comments from my friends online offered great observations and consolation.
Andrea: “A little like ‘nesting’ before you go into labor?”
Patti: “Good use of anxious energy! Perhaps a reverse of nesting? In my case, it would mean the only reason some things are ever cleaned.”
Arleta: “Can’t tell you. I think back to the old days when even the drawers were cleaned out if we even had dinner guests. Now I just go around and blow on everything to clear the dust.”
Sheri: “Maybe it’s directly proportional to how long you’ve been waiting for this wedding!”
Sue: “I wish that happened to me. I feel like my house is a disaster. I used to clean a lot, but not anymore. Two-year-olds have a mind of their own, and it doesn’t usually include cleaning.”
Gretchen: “You have grease on the top of your cupboards? I’m shocked! I thought I was the only one.”
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