Hello – Winnie Griggs here. With spring settling in across my corner of Louisiana, I’ve started noticing that familiar urge to open the windows, let in some fresh air, and maybe tackle a few long-postponed chores around the house. It’s something many of us think of as “spring cleaning”.
It got me wondering what that looked like for folks living back in the late 1800s, so of course I had to do a little research. And as it turns out, spring cleaning back then wasn’t just a good idea – it was practically a necessity.
Why Spring Cleaning Mattered
During the winter months, homes were kept tightly closed up against the cold. Wood stoves and fireplaces burned day and night, leaving behind soot and ash that settled on just about every surface. Fresh air was in short supply, and by the time spring arrived, things could feel a bit…stale.
So when the weather finally warmed, it wasn’t just about tidying up – it was about restoring a home to something fresh and livable again.
Not Just on the Surface
And when I say cleaning, I don’t mean a quick once-over.
Rugs were hauled outside and beaten to remove months of dust. Bedding and mattresses were carried into the sunshine to air out. Curtains were taken down and washed, which was no small task when every bit of it had to be done by hand.
Floors were scrubbed, often on hands and knees. Walls might be wiped down, especially in areas where soot had built up. Windows were thrown open and cleaned to let in as much light and fresh air as possible.
It was hard, time-consuming work – the kind that could take days to complete.
There were no shelves of cleaning products to choose from, of course. Most families relied on homemade solutions.
Lye soap was a common staple – effective, but harsh. Scrub brushes, rags, buckets, and a good bit of elbow grease did the rest. And spring cleaning often doubled as a time to take stock – deciding what needed mending, what needed replacing, and what had simply worn out over the winter.
A Town-Wide Effort
In a small town, this wasn’t something happening in isolation.
Chances are, your neighbors were doing the same thing at the same time. Doors and windows would be open, rugs draped over fences, voices carrying from one yard to the next. There may have even been a bit of neighborly helping going on – especially when it came to heavier tasks.
It created a kind of shared rhythm – a sense that the whole town was shaking off winter together and stepping into something new.
Not Just Inside the Home
Of course, it wasn’t just the inside of the house that got attention this time of year.
Barns and stables needed clearing after a long winter, with fresh bedding laid down and repairs made where weather and wear had taken their toll. In a small town, the livery stable would have been especially busy – stalls mucked out, doors and hinges checked, and everything set back in good working order.
Harnesses and saddles were cleaned and oiled, wagon wheels inspected, and tools sharpened in preparation for the months ahead. Fences might be repaired, sheds cleared, and yards straightened up after winter storms.
Spring was also a common time to whitewash fences, outbuildings, or even parts of a home’s exterior.
And for many families, attention also turned to the kitchen garden. Beds were cleared of winter debris, the soil turned and worked, and early plantings set in as soon as the ground allowed. It was another sign of the season shifting – not just putting things back in order, but preparing for what would grow in the months ahead.
All of it was part of the same seasonal shift – a quiet but steady effort to move from the stillness of winter into the activity of spring.
More Than Just Cleaning
And maybe that’s the part I find most interesting.
Spring cleaning wasn’t only about dust and dirt. It marked a turning point. A chance to put winter behind you and look ahead to planting, travel, gatherings, and all the activity that came with warmer days.
In a way, it was as much about clearing out the old as it was about making room for what was to come.
We may have more conveniences today, but that pull toward a fresh start each spring hasn’t really changed. There’s still something satisfying about opening the windows, letting in the breeze, and putting things back in order after a long season.
Maybe that’s why the idea of spring cleaning has lasted this long – because deep down, it’s never really been just about cleaning. It’s about fresh starts, open windows, and the quiet hope that a new season might bring something better with it.
What about you – do you have a spring cleaning routine you follow each year, do you change things up from time to time, or is it something you tend to put off as long as possible? Leave aa comment about this or any aspect of this post to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.
Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.
Spring cleaning and some decluttering going on here.
Here as well 🙂
Postpone, postpone, postpone – wait as long as possible to do it. Plus, as a school substitute, work won’t end till the end of May.
My approach is similar, except I do more of a trickle approach, tackling it a little at a time so that it is full on summer before I’m done 🙂
I love spring cleaning! It makes everything feel fresh and new! It’s very therapeutic to unload unwanted or unused items. I don’t really have a schedule, just when the urge hits haha.
Sounds like you have a great attitude and great approach!
I do some spring cleaning inside but I am much more interested in getting outside, planting a garden, checking to see what’s bloomingc and seeing if the blueberries are putting on berries yet.
Being a person of the black thumb variety I don’t even try to plan a garden. But I do so appreciate looking at them. 🙂
WE open the windows a lot – every time it is somewhat warm and can do so without the furnace coming on!
Fresh air is always welcome!
Good Monday Morning Winnie,
This year for Spring Cleaning I’m going through closets getting rid of clothes I can’t/don’t wear!
Love reading your work! Thank you for the opportunity to win an autographed copy of one of your books!
Have a great week,
Julie Bullock
A worthy goal, one I need to emulate !
And thank you for those very kind words about my work!
I’ve been going through closets and rooms getting rid of stuff I no longer wear and papers I no longer need.
Ahhh – decluttering and downsizing, I need to do more of that myself
Welcome today. What a great topic. I grew up with Spring cleaning and the same cleaning in the Fall. So this is something I have done for our house inside (my husband takes care of the outside) for 43 years. This year my husband is retired and he wants to help on the inside of the house. I am still recovering from knee surgery. Yay, I love my husband, he really sees what I don’t and I see what he doesn’t. We work well together.
Oh I love this! My husband and I have a similar relationship
Letting fresh air in is amazing. but any other changes I do whenever.
Sounds like you’re a clean as you go person. A very good way to be
I try to do one room at a time. I start with the kitchen since it requires the most intense cleaning and end with the bedrooms. I used to do all this in one day-now i do one room a day. Saving myself-to read more
Methodical, I love it! And very wise to leave yourself time for what matters 🙂
Yes, when I grew up, we were involved in spring cleaning, not my favorite time of the year. However, we did weekly cleaning including mopping and waxing floors. I come from a family of 6 siblings and we each had our tasks, or our particular skill. Mine seemed to be related to taking care of the chickens and helping mom in the house. So, I did lots of mopping and waxing, no rug beating but my grandma did that. I truly loved the time to throw open those windows for some fresh air. In fact, I still love the fresh air and cherish it and the fresh smell, even in the city.
The same for me growing up, I remember waxing lots of floors and polishing. When my kids were younger I had a chore chart that allowed them to alternate what chores they were doing every week that worked pretty well
I do deep cleanings year round so when spring comes around I’d rather be outside, gardening, cleaning the yard, playing with the kiddos. I do declutter every room every spring, cause my family tend to collect and collect a random assortment of junk they claim they need.
Good for you! I wish I was that organized
Growing up we would do spring cleaning. Now I open windows to air out the house. Things like cleaning ceilings fans and wiping down walls be done whenever I see the need. In the warmer spring days I start walking outside on my flower gardens.
Fresh hair does so much for the feel of a house. And it’s so invigorating for the people as well
I remember extensive spring cleaning as a girl. My mom rearranged the furniture. Curtains were hung on the line. But overtime Spring cleaning wasn’t a thing. We did deep cleans throughout the year. My mom was working full-time by then. As for me, I clean room by room, and not always in the spring. Now that I live in Oklahoma, there are times throughout the year that I can do a thorough cleaning because the weather is balmy. With modern Hvac there is less accumulated crud when your house is closed up.. But there is still nothing like letting the fresh air circle your home from pen windows.
Totally agree!
In my younger years, I did spring cleaning. Now, I just try to clean a little at the time. Very interesting article. Love learning about how things were done in years gone by. Thanks for doing the research.
You’re quite welcome! And that’s a good approach, spreading it out more
Spring cleaning is something I put off as long as possible. I don’t know whether to be working on the inside of the house or doing the yard work. Very overwhelming!
It certainly can be overwhelming, especially if you’re like me and tend to procrastinate 🙂
You mentioned white washing fences which reminded me of having the inside of our dairy cow barn white washed on the inside. Like most dairy barns in the 50’s ours had stanchions that held the cows in place when they were in the barn which was most of the day as well as night during the colder months. Every two or three years in the spring or summer we kids would be tasked with sweeping down the cobwebs and some of the dust, no way to get all of it before the days of shop vacs. Then the whitewash truck would come and spray a new coat of white on all the walls and ceiling. The inside of the barn would look so fresh and clean for a little while ( And the health inspectors would be satisfied). How times have changed! Those were the days before milking parlors and free stall barns. The barn needed spring cleaning too:)
What fun memories! Thanks for sharing them with us
I don’t really do the “spring cleaning”. Cleaning is cleaning, but no huge jobs for me. As for the windows, I will open them whenever it is cool even in the winter.
Sounds like a sensible, methodical approach.
clean every room
Sweet and simple
We do spring clean, sometimes, clean windows,wash walls, wash curtains,
Sounds like you do some deep, deep cleaning
We just keep things clean. We don’t do the Spring cleaning stuff. I love opening the windows when it warms up outdoors.
Good approach
I’m always “spring cleaning”. lol Going through stuff and deciding keep or get rid of. lol
Much easier to keep up with that way
This was so interesting, yet I felt myself getting exhausted by just reading everything that had to be done! When you mentioned what they had to work with, that made it even more exhausting. I can’t imagine stripping my house down of almost everything to clean from the walls inward, and that’s with all of our modern conveniences. I knew our ancestors were tough…they had to be. But the more I learn about them, the more admiration and respect I have for them.
Thanks so much for painting such a vivid picture of what they had to endure. It certainly makes me think twice before complaining about all that I have to do, as I enjoy my air conditioning!
It’s all a matter of perspective isn’t it? And like you I’m glad I live in more modern times, I’m such a wimp 🙂
Spring cleaning also includes gardens and flower beds here at our house–that was our weekend–clearing the detritus from winter and late fall and discovering the new green shoots of perennials. Great post, Winnie!
Thanks! Unfortunately I’m not much of a gardener but I do enjoy seeing all the wildflowers bloom
Since our Seasons arn’t that distinct I Spring clean all year long. A little at a time is my motto.
A very good approach, much more freeing
Hi Winnie, I do a little at a time, all through the year.
Great approach!
I don’t do spring cleaning. I try to keep things clean.
good plan!
I tend to put off as long as possible but still keeping things clean.
Another member of the procrastinators club! (I’m the prez 🙂 )
The past couple years here have been chaotic and the house shows it. There needs to be a massive sort out and trips with donations to the thrift store. I have had some mobility issues and it shows. It will take bringing in someone to help with Spring Cleaning this year. I know how great it will be when all this is done and should be much easier to keep up. I always enjoyed washing and waxing the floors. As a kid, it was my job to wax the wood floors. It was a solitary job and I could let my imagination run. I wish I could get down on the floor and do it again….but I wouldn’t be able to get up. The best part of Spring Cleaning is how great everything looks when you are done. It is a new beginning for the year.
I too have mobility issues and would never be able to get up from the floor if I once got down so I completely sympathize with where you’re coming from. Good luck with finding help to get it under control Will keep you in my prayers
Grew up with the deep spring cleaning – and don’t miss it! I enjoy a clean house, don’t get me wrong, but the heavy-duty cleaning -no! I’m no longer physically able to clean, so cleaning up my desk is about the extent of spring cleaning for me!!
Totally understand! I’m in the process of looking for someone I could hire to help me with the deep cleaning around here as well