National Cleaning Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year. 

This week we are celebrating National Cleaning Week.  What an awesome time to place this holiday!  Spring has sprung, warmer weather is hopefully on the horizon and it's time to put away that winter gear and start scrubbing those baseboards.  OK.  I probably won't put away all of my winter gear.  I mean, let's be realistic here.  I live in Chicago, it could snow anytime up until June.  

Here are some interesting cleaning facts that I found:

Americans spend about 6 hours per week cleaning their homes

28% clean their home more than 7 hours a week

10% clean less than one hour a week*

*who are these people?

When? Where? How did Spring Cleaning come about?  Some say it was started through religion.  Jewish people cleaning in anticipation of Passover.  The Catholics clean the altar before Good Friday and the Greek Orthodox clean house for a week leading up to lent.  

In the 1800's spring cleaning meant removing the layer of soot in the house by opening up windows  and cleaning everything in the house.  Of course this had to be done during warmer weather.

How to celebrate the day?  Clean!  Make a plan working on one room at a time.  Start from the top and work your way down.  Don't forget to move furniture and clean under rugs and beds.  This is a great time to let go of stuff and donate to your local thrift store.

Happy Cleaning!