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Spring is coming—hopefully. So is Spring cleaning. Here are three things I've learned (so far) about cleaning: The dustiest thing in the house is the vacuum cleaner. A high-tech gadget that promises to make cleaning easier and faster—like the iRobot Roomba—is no solution to a lazy soul. You still need to sweat it while picking up toys from the carpet. Keeping the house dirty once (or even twice) in awhile is OK. This way, after you clean, your spouse would truly appreciate you. It's not cleaning if nobody notices, right? How about you? What have you learned about cleaning?
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Since it is snowing today I am not sure I feel like spring cleaning :P
I find with cleaning the key is to clean as you go, or it gets way too overwhelming!
Posted by: chelle | March 31, 2009 at 04:23 AM
Hey Mike! Sunglass Warehouse has tons of glasses for me....my husband got 2 pairs for there. So head on back when you get a chance and enter to win!
I like your reasoning! If the house is clean ALL the time people are going to expect that :O) too funny! have a great day
Posted by: Sandy | March 31, 2009 at 05:14 AM
Sorry... they have tons of glasses for MEN
Posted by: Sandy | March 31, 2009 at 05:15 AM
I like your thoughts on cleaning! I feel the same, if it was always clean then no one would ever notice!! Love It!!
Have a great day.
Posted by: pam | March 31, 2009 at 05:20 AM
I like that idea of keeping it dirty once or twice so that your spouse notices it's clean when you do.
I'll keep that one in mind. :)
Posted by: Nadine | March 31, 2009 at 06:01 AM
The dustiest thing here is our TV and stereo system. It is a magnet.
Posted by: Janelle | March 31, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Even kids as young as two can help out so the main areas can be cleaned really quickly!
Posted by: LaDonna | March 31, 2009 at 07:03 AM
Hmmm...I'm keeping my house dirty once right now. You know, when life gets too busy something's gotta go.
I was very intriged with all of your photos and hints...even used the "when you think your too close, go in closer" hint the other day to capture chocolate cake batter on my daughter's face. I didn't realize it was a challenge to use those different techniques...think I'll work on trying each of the techniques between now and summmer.
BTW, of course you can join in on listing "Why you love being a Dad"!
Happy Spring!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 31, 2009 at 08:10 AM
I have learned that there are no such things as cleaning-fairies. There are invisible people named "not me!" that run around messing up my house. They are very elusive and you can never see them, only the trail they leave behind.
Posted by: momstheword | March 31, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Our electronics are MAJOR dust magnets!! I hate to clean!! I use to LOVE it, 2 kids later...what is the point..the rooms are only clean for 5 seconds before the kids destroy it!!
Posted by: Moody Mommy | March 31, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I have learned that toys cluttering the floor does not constitute a dirty house! I have 3 littles at my house under 2 and I'm learning not to sweat it!
Point number 3 is funny!!
Posted by: Jenn @ Beautiful Calling | March 31, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Haha, I agree on point 3! I am horrible at keeping my house clean, so the rare days I do manage to do a lot of cleaning my husband notices more and offers up lots of praise :D
Posted by: Kara | March 31, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I agree that that darn vaccume cleaner is dirtier than anything else in our house! Oh and I also agree that it's not cleaning if no one notices. My husband hasn't quite gotten that concept yet. If he would just say thanks or at least notice then I probably would clean more! :)
Posted by: Brandi | March 31, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I have learned to "speed clean" and use Febreeze or Oust or something else smelly.
On the surface it may be clean (if you stop by at the right moment) but under the rugs..........hm...we won't talk about that!
Posted by: Carolee | March 31, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I have learned that I am alergic to cleaning... or as my son says " I am not a fan of the cleaning".
But since someone has to do it, I just try to do a little bit each day. Break it down into smaller jobs.
Posted by: Kelley | March 31, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I have to do small jobs everyday. I work outside the home and we have very busy lives so I have to try and stay one top of it.
Posted by: Denise | March 31, 2009 at 12:47 PM
I agree. You have to let it go to get that clean satisfaction:-)
Posted by: susieshomemade | March 31, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I agree with you about the vacuum. This won't work for you, but I've learned that if I can get my husband into the habit of cleaning the things I can't while pregnant, the habit will stick afterward too!
Posted by: Muthering Heights | March 31, 2009 at 01:01 PM
To hire someone else! Ha! Just kidding - I wish!
I have to consistantly remind myself of the eternal value of what I do, otherwise I would throw in the towel!
Posted by: sarah mae | March 31, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Hey... I love your three things - but especially the last one. I have said many times... "you never notice when I clean it... you just notice when it is dirty."...
Now, i know the solution :)
Posted by: DeeDee | March 31, 2009 at 06:56 PM
cleaning is inevitable - like death and taxes, and equally as not fun!!! thanks for stopping by
Posted by: scrappysue | March 31, 2009 at 07:24 PM
What I've learned about cleaning is that it's good for the health of your children to be exposed to dirt so that their immune systems work better.
Posted by: Laurie | March 31, 2009 at 07:53 PM
The thing about cleaning is that nobody notices you do it unless it isn't done. You know, kind of like those unsightly hairs you pluck from your chin. Or something.
Posted by: jolyn | March 31, 2009 at 09:56 PM
I have learned that spring cleaning is miserable, even for someone that usually enjoys a little housework. It is just too much. THe end result though...ahhhh!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Posted by: Molly | March 31, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I've always wondered about the Roomba but I think it would give my cats a heart attack.
I've tried to make it a habit to, as I walk from one room to another, pick up/straighten up/swipe the dust with an arm at least one thing. Over time, the cleaning gets done!
(BTW, what you guys did for your wife's 40th is sooo incredibly heart-warming!)
Posted by: Lori Anderson | April 01, 2009 at 07:00 AM