{DIY} Housecleaning ~ Spring Collection of 10-Step Inspiration

"Seen from the outside, housework can look like a Sisyphean task that gives you no sense of reward or completion. Yet housekeeping actually offers more opportunities for savoring achievement than almost any other work I can think of. Each of its regular routines brings satisfaction when it is completed. These routines echo the rhythm of life, and the housekeeping rhythm is the rhythm of the body. You get satisfaction not only from the sense of order, cleanliness, freshness, peace and plenty restored, but from the knowledge that you yourself and those you care about are going to enjoy those benefits."

~ Cheryl Mendelson, Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House

Gentle spring has come bringing symphonies of rain, glorious greens and the freshness of a new growing season. The air is pure and promising, just the kind of weather to enjoy a homemaking renewal. We hope these "steps" of tutorials and ideas will stir your desire to enjoy the rhythm of housecleaning in any season!

"The homeliest tasks get beautiful if loving hands do them."

~ Louisa May Alcott

 1. Before you commence cleaning, I invite you to visit here for a bit of a "warm up".

2. Save yourself loads of money and chemical overload in your home by making your own cleaning products. It could be fun to stock your "cleaning closet" with a few months worth of cleaning provisions! I love to prepare jars and jars of cleaners (pretend like you are making an aisle's worth for a grocery store). In as little as twenty minutes and for less than a few dollars, you can have a nice supply of homemade goods. Here are some basic printable cleaning product recipes.



We also include how to make your own cleaning cleanser-in-a-jar, carpet deodorizer, dusting spray and old fashioned furniture polish.



In addition, we share our lavender cleaning collection (which are my personal spring and summer choices) along with our citrus cleaning collection (which are my favorite autumn and winter choices). Seasonal homemaking is quite an enjoyable pastime (do give it a try)!

3. Like all elements of homemaking, adding a bit of creativity can make the mundane into something marvelous. To make it even more fun (yes ladies, this is fun to me!), we share some basic printable cleaning product labels. Recycle some pretty jars, containers and spray bottles, and you have a nice assortment of boutique-like cleaning products! My daughter likes to color in her labels for extra beauty.



4. Sew up some pretty cleaning cloths! The tutorial for ours was found at this lovely blog here. It only requires the knowledge of sewing a straight line. I was able to make up this little stack in as little as 15 minutes! We cut around an old bath towel (that recently developed holes) for one side of the cleaning cloths while the alternating fabric was from a vintage sheet found at a Salvation Army Store for $1. This pretty pattern will surely keep me smiling as I go about my household tasks.

5. (Homemaking Hint:) When doing your routine cleaning (or even dishwashing), cut your sponges in half to stretch them. The smaller size also makes it easier to get into any nooks and crannies.

6. Make vacuuming pleasant! We invite you to visit this post for some inspiration. A bit of aromatherapy and/or herbs, and you will be invigorated as you clean!



7. Instead of chemical-laden Lysol, make your own disinfectant and room deodorizer. We call it our "Get Well Soon" spray but it is very versatile. You will find our reasons and recipe here. When the cleaning day is done, I love to do a final spritz around the home!

8. Mother shouldn't be housecleaning alone as many hands make light work! In fact, housework can even be incorporated into your homeschool. Visit Spring Cleaning with Children ~ Lessons in Home Education for how we accomplish this in our home.

9. Store all your cleaning know-how (recipes, schedules and lists) in one convenient place such as a home management binder or a household herbal. This will give you that organized feeling that a keeper at home often craves!

10. Consider participating in a Victorian Era "Monthly Home Maintenance"! Visit here for the complete series. This is more of an organizational upkeep and maintenance of your inventory of household goods to make your home run smoothly (though it could be easily used as a spring cleaning routine).

Steps in Series:

1 ~ Introduction

2 ~ What Needs to Be Done in Your Home?

3 ~ Restocking the Cleaning Closet

4 ~ Examining the Store-Closet, Pantry, Cellar and Such

5 ~ Examining the "Table Linens"

6 ~ Examining the "Bed Linens"

7 ~ Examining the Toolbox and/or "Junk Drawer"

Checklist for Preparing Your Own Maintenance:

"Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance ~ Printable Checklist

For further motivation, you may want to read Elisabeth Elliot's practical thoughts on "The Way You Keep Your House", Edith Schaeffer's sound advice in "Your Interior Decoration... Today", this author's sentiments on being the "Mistress of the House" or consider "Cleaning on Friday ~ For a Little House Cleaning Day". If you find yourself looking for more areas to tackle, Let's Clean and Organize Under the Kitchen Sink!

I hope this leaves you encouraged to do some old fashioned housecleaning with some handmade products. Turn on some inspirational music, put on your brightest and cheeriest apron, roll up your sleeves, take a deep breath and transform your house into a clean and orderly home! Oh the beauty of living in a scrubbed, shining and tidy dwelling -- It is most luxurious!

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might..."
~ Ecclesiastes 9:10a

And when the work is completed for the day, I do hope you brew yourself a cup of tea or coffee. Gently pour it into a dainty tea cup. Take a step outside into the fresh air. Pull up a chair, lift up your weary feet and rejoice in the fruit of your labors.

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