Add A Bit Of Magic To Your Spring Cleaning!

Its that time of year again when we throw out all the old built up clutter, and give our houses a really good sparkling Spring Clean. There’s nothing better than to see the windows shine, the coffee table gleam and the floor newly washed. I bet you forgot that your carpet was bright red! Over the last year its turned into a strawberry mush color, with possibly a few tags and tears caused by the dog or cat getting over enthusiastic. And what about your curtains? Yes I know you wash them a few times in the year, but lets face it they are getting a bit tatty. So, what to do?

First things first. As my mother used to say. There’s no good cleaning the floor if you need to clear out the rubbish. And having a large house can be pretty daunting if you really want to Spring Clean it. So the best thing to do is clean one room each day for a week. Making sure that you don’t track the dust back into the rooms that you have just done! But there’s a secret to spring cleaning. Its not just your house that needs a good dusting. it’s the atmosphere too! So this year, why not Add A Bit Of Magic To Your Spring Cleaning?

Back in Victorian times, they took cleaning very seriously, especially after the publication of Mrs Beeton’s Book Of Household Management came out. This provided a detailed explanation of how to run a typical household, including hints and tips on keeping your house clean.

In Mrs Beeton’s day, everyone used natural cleaning ingredients simply because there were no alternatives. What they didn't know back then was the fact that they were using products that were safe for their health. These days the chemicals in cleaning products can be downright dangerous. Especially if you are prone to allergies

. White vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and of course the nicest smelling of all, lemon juice, can all be used to clean as well as any over the counter cleaning products. Did you know that lemon juice has excellent antibacterial properties and can be used safely around food preparation surfaces? It is full of citric acid and can cut through grease as effectively as any chemical washing soap. And its great on sweaty clothes too.

Obviously if you find it easier to used prepared cleansers then they are just as good, if not better, to get the stains out of your work tops and furniture. Before you start open the windows, and let the air clean through. Obviously if there is a gale force wind out there, don’t bother, but its nice to clean with fresh air circulating around the room. If you are Spring cleaning then let the Spring in!

Clean out all the rubbish, old paperbacks that you no longer want, maybe take them to your local charity shop if they are in good condition, and then go around the room and pick up everything, and I mean everything that you no longer need, want or have room for. I know, difficult, but it must be done.

Then vacuum the floor, or dust. Some people swear by dusting first, others by vacuuming. I dust first then vacuum, but the choice is yours. When you have dusted, go back over it with a slightly damp cloth with a drop of lemon juice on. Wipe all your ornaments and shelves. Obviously take care not to get the wet cloth on anything that will spoil. I know, obvious, but you would be surprised to see how many people ruin a good picture or ornament by smearing it!

Take down curtains and mend any holes or loose layers of lace. Wash, then iron them. You don’t actually have to wait until they are completely dry before putting them back, as the radiators underneath or an open window will soon dry off any excess water.

When the curtains are down its a good time to give the windows a good old clean. This is where the White Vinegar comes into its own. It will leave your windows really sparkling.

If your carpets need a good wash, then make sure that you are not going to use that room for a few hours, the windows need to remain open to evaporate the last remnants of water. There, looks good doesn't it? Repeat in every room, and don’t forget to give the stairs and fittings a good polish.

Finished? Good! Now for the fun part!

Now your house looks clean and shiny.

There's still things you need to do.

Sprinkle magic and some sunshine

cleanse your house, refresh, renew

Candle Magic.

Using a White Candle is best for house cleansing. But you can use blue. Wait until you have cleaned all of your house, then take the candle, and room by room, walk to the centre and place the candle on the floor. Sit down in front of the candle and clear your mind. Imagine the candle burning brighter and brighter

. As your eyes focus on the flame, imagine that it is cleansing the room around you with a brilliant white light. Before you start, make sure the windows are open, to carry out the negative energy. If you wish, write a small spell before you start. For example:

Candle white burning bright,

Bring your cleansing pure white light,

Bless this home for all to see

Calm of thought and purity

Blessed Be

To make your home feel peaceful and clean, pick or buy fresh parsley and soak it in water for a few minutes. Then pour the water into a bowl and go through the house sprinkling carefully, all the while thinking peaceful and calming thoughts.

There are other herbs that you can use to clean your house too. From Chamomile to create a calm energy, onto stronger herbs that leave a wonderful musky smell. Whatever you feel happy with is always the best energy cleanser. Each and every one of us is different.

Joss Sticks.

I always use Joss Sticks instead of household sprays. For loads of reasons. Mainly because I tend to be an allergic person! So sprays tend to have to pass a real trial test for me.

My favorite Joss Sticks are Sandalwood that brings to mind a lovely woodland park in the Autumn, and various Musks. These are an exotic scent that will leave your room smelling divine!

Smell is an important part of our lives. These days we are so used to smelling chemical based products that we forget how wonderful natural smells are. Thats why I love to bring in Pine and just leave it in a bowl on the window ledge. Lovely.

Smudge Stick

Many people use something called a Smudge Stick to clean their house. This ritual has been used for centuries all over the world. Its actual meaning is to pass through smoke.

This can either be Ceremonial White Sage, or just a handful of sage leaves. Most people plait them to make a feather like object. You can also use Pine which is wonderful for cleansing and the smell is amazing. If you would rather do it in a simple way, you can buy Sage or Pine in powder form and place them over a charcoal burner.

Remember, Sage is for banishing negative energy, and Pine is for bringing positive energy.

Once you have the Smudge Stick burning, make sure you carry a small dish or ashtray around with you to catch any falling leaves. You don’t want to set light to the carpet! Not a good idea for banishing the negative atmosphere!

Next, start at your front door and work your way around the house, keep wafting the smoke into the corners while visualising the cleansing energy. If you are banishing negative energy then make sure you walk counter clockwise around the house, and for invoking positive energy, go clockwise.

At the same time as you are walking around the house, you may want to chant or use a cleansing spell. There are loads of cleansing spells out there, in books or on the internet, but the best ones are your own words. So before you start sit down and write a short spell or chant that you feel comfortable with. For example:

From this Fire comes Smoke

Which is made from Air

From Mother Earth will grow this Plant

That comes from Water.

I call upon Fire Air Earth and Water

And the blessings of Spirit

To please cleanse this house.

Blessed Be.

Obviously if you don't feel comfortable with these chants or spells you can find some wonderful Psalms in the Bible to say out loud instead. It really is about you and what you prefer to say. As long as you are comfortable with the words, and you really believe in them, then anything is fine. And of course you don't have to say anything. Just do the cleansing rituals without words.

So, as you can see, giving your house a good Spring Clean doesn't just mean washing the curtains, or cleaning the stairs! If you want to really welcome in the next quarter of the year, and invite Spring into your home, Add A Bit Of Magic To Your Spring Cleaning!

Copyright Nell Rose