With the spring coming, the temperature raising and in quarantine from Covid 19 the Americans start doing their spring cleanings.
From several sources the origin of spring cleaning came from the Iranian Nowruz, the Persian New year, in the first day spring, known as «shaking the house» .
This ritual is even coming from ancient Jewish practice when the spring cleanings anticipate the spring festival, Pesach, followed by hunt and candlelight.
On another hand the Catholics associate it to Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday in spring time, persisting today in Orthodox church, also corresponding to Julian New Year, or April 1st.
In North America, the custom has a more practical reason due to a wet climate. With the technology advances and the invention of the vacuum cleaner. The spring time became the best time to open windows and doors, due to a mild temperature, absence of insects and weak winds.On other hand, with a better temperature is tame to stop the fireplace workings and take the dust from walls and furniture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaning
This year, based on Washington Post, and during the global health pandemic the spring cleanings registered the biggest rate ever. They affirm that Jurisdictions are collecting more 40% of residences, an increase of 38% of tonnage above normal. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/coronavirus-spring-cleaning-surge-leaves-residential-garbage-cans-overflowing/2020/04/09/eba1ac10-79cd-11ea-8cec-530b4044a458_story.html.
In a study conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of ACI the spring cleaning has an average duration of 6 days. In 2019 the ‘’ top priority for spring cleaning is a clear winner – windows, named by 49 percent of respondents. Other items at the top of the list include clothes, closets and drawers (42%), ceiling fans (36%), curtains/blinds (36%), carpets (32%), hardwood/tile floors (25%), bed linens (17%), and home offices (15%).’’ At the end ‘’ people feel accomplished (36%), satisfied (29%), safe (18%), and happy (18%).’’
Well for me this was a good time to find a bicycle that I need to go to work. A neighbor of mine had too many bicycles in this garage and put away some of them and I got luck. This one was perfect to get my dairy path faster and to enjoy the neighborhood in a different way!
