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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

{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."

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."



 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-jarcarpet 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).


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.


All the fine print. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).

33 comments:

  1. Cutting the sponges in half is a great tip! I cut many things in half, but I never thought to do it with sponges. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It was weird at first but now I find it awkward with a full size sponge! :)

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  2. Beautiful post. You did find a pretty sheet to use. They look much nicer than the old socks I use:) That probably would make house cleaning a bit more enjoyable~ Just might have to stitch up a few. Thank you.

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    1. Don't worry, I also have old socks in the rag bin! But somehow they didn't seem so inspiring :)

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  3. Thank you for all the tips and links here. I am getting ready to do a good old-fashioned spring cleaning starting next week, and these links will help keep me motivated!!

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  4. This sounds amazing. I've never made anything like this!

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    1. Dear Bernideen, I do hope you give one of these projects a try! It does make it fun to have an old fashioned cleaning day with handmade products! :)

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  5. Thank you so much for this post. I have been wanting to go greener in my cleaning supplies, but did not know where to start. Now I do. Thanks again.

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    1. It is so easy to make your own products! And you will save much money as well! :) Happy housecleaning!

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  6. These sound like wonderful ideas. I always need inspiration to keep up with things here. I really like the Laura quote, too. Thank you for sharing and have a blessed week!

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    1. Thank you Tamara for taking the time to comment! Have a wonderful week :)

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  7. JES, Only you could inspire me to begin spring cleaning! I love this: "adding a bit of creativity can make the mundane into something marvelous." I can honestly say I have never thought of ANY kind of cleaning as marvelous ;-)
    I appreciate the gentle attitude check: I have been neglecting things around here and needed some inspiration!
    Thank you for sharing over at Coffee & Conversation today - I'm sure my readers will love your beautiful post... <3

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    1. Ah, thank you Pat! You are a sweetheart :)

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  8. Great idea cutting the sponges in half. I'm using the lavender vacuum powder to send with a several other items for a tea exchange. I can't get the label to print you provided. Any suggestions please. This will be going on my blog for the hop. I will link back to you for the recipe for the powder. This has to be mailed fairly soon. thanks for all help.

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    1. Hi there! I can get the label for you later on this afternoon or you could also use the LAVENDER CARPET DEODORIZER label I share on our lavender cleaning label set. You will find that one here:

      https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-u1o1gJ_PK0WGpwY2ZiN01rc0U/view

      Hope this helps in the meantime! :)

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    2. Okay, I attached a printable page with recipe on the vacuum powder! It should work just fine if you follow the link! :)

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    3. That did it, thank you so much.

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  9. Thank you for sharing all of this wonderful homemaking inspiration! This week I purchased a few essential oils and I am so excited to begin making my own cleaning supplies!! : ) Your cleaning cloths are so pretty, that is a terrific idea too.

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    1. You will really enjoy the essential oils. A little go a long way and there is so many fun projects to do with them! :)

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  10. What a spirit of loveliness is found in this post! It's so nice to be reminded of the importance and dignity of the seemingly "little" tasks we do at home.
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Thank you Leigh for your encouraging visit! It is always a pleasure to have you :)

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  11. I absolutely ADORE this post! I'm saving the link so I can take the time to read all your links. I'm currently doing some spring cleaning and posts like this are so inspiring.

    I followed you here from the Blog Hop on Raising Homemakers. I hope you'll come visit me at Life With Dee. I did a spring cleaning post last week you might be interested in:

    http://lifewithdee.com/spring-cleaning-tips-and-motivation/

    Have a beautiful day!

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    1. Thank you for your visit Dee. I will take a trip over when time allows today :)

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  12. I make my own cleaners, but I never thought about making a big batch ahead. Such a great tip! I'll be making a few jars next time instead of just a bottle. Great idea cutting the sponges in half also.

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    1. Thank you Savannah for taking the time to comment and share here today! :)

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  13. I am invigorated and excited to do my Spring Cleaning now that I've read this! :-D I can't wait to make myself some pretty cleaning cloths!

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    1. YAY! Thank you for taking the time to share Dolly! :)

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  14. I so need to get to spring cleaning! Love your handmade washcloths! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!

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  15. I am so happy that it's getting warm enough here to throw open the windows and air things out - thanks for sharing your spring cleaning plan with Awesome Life Friday!

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  16. Your blog is such an inspiration! I came across your blog accidently and I am so glad I found it. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. And thank you for taking the time to encourage! It is nice to have you here :

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  17. I am flagging your information to read more thoroughly when I have the time as I am interested in your recipes ❤️
    Thank you 😊

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