Spring Cleaning

iam There is one somewhere back. ?last Autumn. I can't sit here on GN all day. I have got to go off and find a good knitting project to keep me busy.

Maybe we need a steam cleaner thread, given how curious three of us are about the potential benefits. I had a short period of sending for implements that were to change my life. One of them was a weed blitzed, didn't work properly, took ages to put together, hopeless waste of money and time. Then, I got a peculiar implement to hoe the flower beds with, it was supposed to reduce the pressure on my hands and wrists that go with using an ordinary hoe. Didn't. So - I have been reigning myself in from getting a magical steam cleaner, but I do fancy one!

Take it easy, Nellie. I was thinking of a steam cleaner too. I don't have a very big house but think it would be cost effective if it does windows, floors and everything in the kitchen. What about carpets?

Thanks Nellie. I fancy one because they're supposed to do everything, well almost. Clean cookers, showers, baths and even windows. Also, as I have dogs, I have the carpet cleaner always at the ready in case they manage to dash on to the carpet with muddy paws.

Merlot that is a dreadful job. Really neck aching! DH did it just before Christmas with our valance as its a big window 108 inch rail. I am a short arse and reaching the pelmet is difficult. The damn hooks always seem to fall out onto the floor when I am trying to do it.

Iam I will try it again and report! I want to see what it does cleaning the bath.

I only took the decorations down today as I was poorly the last two days.
So it's a big clean up day today. I am definitely feeling better I can walk about the house today without feeling I need to sit down after a trip to the kitchen. My voice is rather croaky though.

I don't get an urge to clean , Spring or any other time . My daughter bought me a new cooker, arranged fitting, delivery etc, I thanked but asked why a black one, I realy do not like black cookers - the reply ' you don't like cleaning them either '. Ouch

Retirement has made me so lazy. I found that when I was working I had a definite routine. Windows, floors, cooker etc all cleaned on a regular (ish) basis. Now I just think 'oh well I can do that tomorrow' and everything is going to rack and ruin. I thought it would be the opposite but it hasn't worked out like that. Must get a grip.

Nellie, I'd welcome an update on how useful your steam cleaner is. I keep wondering about buying one of them.
Keep warm, and have comforting food and liquids and you'll be up there steaming with the best of them within a few days I'm sure

Maybe if I have a blitz I might find the never worn boots that I bought in last years January sales! I need them for when we go to Switzerland in a couple of weeks. You would think that was enough motivation wouldn't you. Ho Hum

| would have been doing that but I am still feeling poorly so I am taking it easy and staying warm. I think I am at the stage of not feeling quite so bad as I did yesterday until I try to get up and do something. That is a sort of progress.

I treated myself to a steam cleaner in B&Q sale so I want to get my use out of it.

Valbeasixties - enjoy this early phase of your retirement. There is always another day I've found, and I'm 3 years on.

On the spring cleaning front, we had an extension and other stuff done over several months last year, the builders/plumbers/electricians finally left at the end of August. We cleaned and cleaned some more. In the pre-Christmas frenzy of cleaning, I did the conservatory again - plaster dust in all the nooks and crannies. How can that be when I was certain I'd got the lot between September and November!

I've just hung new curtains in our bedroom. It must rate as one of the jobs from hell for those who are recovering from whiplash!

DH 'helped' by taking the weight as I plugged the hooks in the rings but telling me I'd missed one when I got to the end didn't help my frayed temper!

The intention each spring is to focus upon one room thoroughly each week - washing paintwork, clearing/cleaning out cupboards etc but sadly I do not always progress beyond the thinking stage! There is really not any excuse this year as I have just retired from teaching but I seem to be embracing the mantra: 'There is always another day!'

Cleaning? I think I used to do that many years ago, it was a hobby that I grew out of.

I had a small burst between Christmas and new year, washed nets, cleared out two cupboards and a drawer and put the decorations away.

I'm a tidy person and I use my rechargable Dyson a lot, BUT there is always a layer of dust!
Where the hell does it come from?

There were cobwebs up there when I put the paperchains up. They will be there waiting for me when I get them down tomorrow. I hope I can find some motivation somewhere.

No need to spring clean in my flat. I love cleaning so all the things mentioned above are done all the time.
The last thing to be done when we go away is shampoo the carpets. That way I know they won't be walked on until they are completely dry.

OH yes the purge hit me this morning, gutting the dinning room after discovering thick dust on the curtain poles. I don't know what brings this on but I'm definitely not pregnant. It hits me about once a year, Mr T says he's getting out before he finds himself in the bin.

I think it is taking down the decorations that gets me moving - that and wanting to restore order after the DGC and their parents have departed! This is the first time for many years that I have not had a cleaner (couldn't justify it) and I quite enjoy doing it myself. Within limits - I shall happily get someone in if there is any big thing that needs doing!

Yesterday, though, the sun shone into the living room and I was dispirited by the dust that seems to have accumulated in a few days. Where does it all come from??

We took the decorations down yesterday, and dusted, wiped, hoovered everywhere downstairs. The house had a good seeing to before the decorations went up, so it's in an acceptable state from top to bottom. Well, apart from the spare bedroom where we put everything we wanted to tidy away - you can't move in there. That's my next room when an attack of domestic duty comes over me again.
I love the place full of lights and decorations, but the evening after the clean up when they are put away, is a joy as well. Everywhere looked sparkling when I went down to make my morning cup of tea. Fabulous, I'll enjoy it till we get back from another muddy dog walk, and everything is splattered by the wet dogs

Gally I am just like you!if someone is coming I can whizz round the day before and get the place looking great so why no save myself the stress and do a bit every day? I was quite cheered over Christmas though when I called unexpectedly on friends whose house is always immaculate when we go. It was great to find out they were just as untidy as us! My SIL is an obsessive cleaner who "bottoms" the house before she goes away. We always joke about her tidying up for the burglars!

Oh heavens, I did find myself earlier saying to Mr P that tomorrow I was going to give the sitting room a "good do"! I.e wash paintwork, sort out the book shelves, polish the candlestick collection etc, so it would appear that it might be contagious!

I've probably only got a mild case though!

I did it solidly for 2 weeks before I left for Oz at the beginning of December. I have this compulsion to leave everything shipshape before going away and completely wear myself out. I don't know why I can't just keep the house clean and tidy on a daily basis and not leave everything to the 11th hour, but I seem only to be able to operate when under pressure. I know that after I am home, within a week the place will be back in a mess and I will go through the whole process again the next time I go away

I got loads of "spring" cleaning done before Christmas, while I was banned from Gransnet. Kitchen cupboards cleaned, windows polished, freezer defrosted.

All looks about the same now though.

I used to but I'm actively fighting it. Right now I want to seriously declutter rather than clean but it amounts to the same thing...