A friend made a comment the other day that they had finally decided to Spring clean – in Summer.

It got me thinking, why do we call it Spring clean? How many people actually Spring clean? Do they actually clean in Spring? And then I got to wondering, when do I Spring clean?

When Spring hits I do get a certain giddiness. The sun shines brighter, the weather is warmer, my spring bulbs start to poke their heads up through the ground. Yet it doesn’t inspire me to clean. I’m more inspired to slip, slop, slap and wrap and soak up those semi-warm spring rays. But cleaning? Not on your nelly.

I recall my sister being hit with the Spring cleaning fever. During her teenage years all of a sudden, the moment Spring hit, she’d just start cleaning. Everything. The bathroom would sparkle. The kitchen would gleam. The carpets would be freed of pet hair. Mum’s ashtrays would be empty and sparkling to boot!

It was quite the phenomenon.

But I suspect it’s not a family trait because the only time I ever get any form of cleaning fever is when guests are coming around. Even then it’s only a mild form of cleaning. Sweep the floors, wash them, do the dishes.

However this December my non-Spring cleaning fever went into high gear. It wasn’t just guests who were coming to stay, it was family. Family who I’d not seen in years. The desire to clean overtook me like the desire to eat a chocolate Trumpet. I spent four days cleaning. Floors, walls, skirting boards, windows, curtains. The house was spick and span.

I don’t know if they noticed it when they turned up, but my partner sure did and now he wants to keep the house looking like that forever!?!? (Good luck with that).

Anyway, this year Summer cleaning fever was somewhat forced upon me. But my original question still stands, does anyone out there get Spring cleaning fever? Or Autumn? Or Winter cleaning fever?

And does anyone know how to get wooden floors to sparkle? … cause we’ve friends coming over next weekend.

Kellie Hailes

WeatherWatch Columnist