Rie Brosco, for the Wire
When I was growing up, I loved spring. Aside from the beautiful weather — not too hot, not too cold, just right! — my mom undertook the ritual of spring cleaning. The house was cleaned from top to bottom; from ceiling to floor; from attic to basement.
One of the things I looked forward to was the changing of our bed linens from flannel sheets, heavy quilts and comforters to the lightweight feel of cotton sheets and summer blankets.
This past year, as nights grew colder, we pulled out our heavy comforters and warm flannel sheets. Now as the season changes and the thermometer inches higher, it is once again time to change to warmer weather bedding.
Here are some ways to make the most of that transition:
- Before you put away your winter bedding, take a look in your linen closet. Are there sheets or blankets you didn’t use this year? If you didn’t use them this winter, which was a particularly cold and snowy one, there is a good chance that you won’t use them in the future. Take them out and put them aside. But don’t close the door to your linen closet just yet.
- Take a look at your towels. Are there some that you don’t use because they are just a little too tattered or no longer match the color scheme that you have? Put them with the blankets and sheets you’ve put aside. These items can be donated to a battered women’s shelter or homeless shelter. If the blankets or towels are tattered and not really in condition for people to use, your local animal shelter can find many uses for them.
- Take all of your winter-weight sheets and blankets that remain and launder them according to the manufacturer’s directions. When they come out of the dryer, there is an easy way to keep sheet and pillowcase sets together: Place both folded sheets and one pillowcase inside of the second pillowcase. You will never need to search for a matched set.
- Now, everything is folded and ready to be put away. Unless you are graced with a lot of unused closet space, storing off-season bedding can be a challenge. Do you have any empty suitcases sitting in your basement? Put your freshly laundered sheets and blankets into the suitcases and return the suitcases to the basement. Your bedding will stay dust-free and ready for the next winter.
My mother did not stop at changing the bed linens at the changing of the season. We continued through the rest of the house, cleaning out old coats and dresses, kitchen dishes and cleaning products, books and toys.
Although not a corner of the house was spared the ritual of spring cleaning, my mother taught me to take stock and be grateful for what I have and to give to those who need. And while spring cleaning is a ritual to be observed each year, my mother also taught me that living my life is more important than having a spotless home.
Happy Spring!
As a professional organizer, Rie Brosco helps people to reduce the clutter in their lives. Trained in crisis counseling, Rie facilitates the process in a way that is enjoyable and stress-free. She is available for individual organizing sessions, speaking engagements and in-your-home organizing parties.
For information, call 215.435.5609, email [email protected] or visit www.rieorganize.com.
