Autumn Falls

Once I picked up the summer reading from the 1940's, I thought how fun it would be to research the history of modern housekeeping.  I found that it actually dates back to 1850 or so and is inextricable from the history of US politics, of our education system and of the society at large.  It's become a monster.  I'm hip deep in my research and quite on fire about the topic, but I couldn't let early Autumn go the way of late Summer and not be blogged about.  This is a wonderful time to clean house.  I'll explain... then get back to my history lesson so I can share it with you. 

The change of season from Summer to Autumn is a special time in many cultures.  The Eastern cultures consider this time to be it's own season, along with Winter to Full Spring.  This transition from light summer foods and drink to heavier warming foods echoes the switch from the summer sheets to the flannel ones (at least here in Maine).  This time of year; whenever the weather does this in your area, is when the air cools and starts to loose it's ability to hold as much moisture.  The relatively drier air is very desirable in you home. I talk about this in February 12 blog also, http://mainetaine.blogspot.com/2012_01_15_archive.html.  
Dust mites die off at about 50% humidity or less.  Everyone in the household should take all of the pillows off their bed, take them outside and air them out.  The goal is to squeeze out the old air inside the pillows and replace it with fresh, cooler, drier air.  This can be a fun thing to do; grab your pillow by the corner and swing and smack it against the railing on the back porch, or grab each side of the pillow and go in and out real fast like it was an accordion.  Take a pillow in each hand and swing back as far as you can and whack them together and watch the dust fly.  Be sure to tell the kiddoes and/or roommates that the dust they see coming off the pillows is actually their own dead skin and it's food for dust mites that live by the thousands in their pillows and stuffed animals.  Be sure to give them the good news that this fresh, dry air kills them.  Then, bring the pillows in and bring out the comforter and do the same thing.  Shake it out, hang it over the clothes line and let the sunlight get to it.  Very important note, when you go to bed tonight you will notice how awesome your cool fluffy pillow is so smile really big for taking such good care of yourself.  I blogged about this in the February 26th posting, the other big seasonal transition.  http://mainetaine.blogspot.com/2012_02_12_archive.html

Equally important is to take the cushions off the couches and chairs and do the same thing.  I like to lay seat cushions halfway over a railing or outdoor chair back, then squeeze the air out by leaning on it and giving it a bear hug, about 10 of them actually.  You will feel it when the air has been exchanged, the cushion will be cooler and be all puffed up.  Anyone who spends anytime on the couch should do this when it is their turn.  Who wouldn't want to take a turn?  That same old crappy couch you've been sitting on for years will be fluffy and smell better without having to resort to the chemistry of spray "fresheners" that freshen by deadening the nerves in your nose.   http://www.mothersmarket.com/news/123-common-air-fresheners-contain-toxic-chemicals.html

Another cool thing about this time of year is the slanting sunlight (it does this thanks to the tilt of the Earth and the angle of sunlight changing.  In more southern climates, the slanting sun of early morn or evening will give the same view...)  coming in at an angle really shows how dirty the hard floors are.  If you squat down or lean over and look at an angle as the sunlight comes in, you can really see what you are looking for.  Mirrors, walls, etc, pretty much any flat surface (granite counters especially) can best be seen by looking across the surface.  Take up the throw rugs and any that you can pick up and carry outside without hurting yourself.  Shake them, hang them over a railing or a row of chairs with tall backs and beat them.  Once upon a time, every household was equipped with a rug beater and they were elegant in their perfect design.  Nowadays, I guess just use your broom or whatever looks like a good hand tool to you.  Don't use anything like a poker, you do not want to damage the rug!  The idea is to beat out the dirt embedded in the fibers.  Quick, short and easy pats may be more effective than great sweeping smacks.  Be careful not to hurt your wrists and elbows as you take swings.  A ping pong paddle -like tool may be the best tool.  I shake the smaller rugs (a 4 ft X 6 ft rug is about as big as I can shake) and hang the larger ones over the clothesline.  I use my hands. I get wicked dusty but I like the hands on approach.  I usually hold my breath when the dust is really flying but I try to choose a gusty day (like we get this time of year), stand up wind and always remember to dust myself off before going back in.   

I've suggested that every time you wash the kitchen floors, you start by going around the edge (carefully and slowly sliding your hand under baseboard heat and watch for bits of broken wine glasses.. I often run across broken glass in wine drinkers' homes) with a cloth by hand.  See this blog entry from 4TH Week of December for the play by play on washing kitchen floors, because...
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7583717878240399293#editor/target=post;postID=6231827369287048095 ... this time of year is when you should do this to all of your hard floors.  While you're down there, take a look across the surface in the slanty light, then vac and mop to your hearts' content.  Don't forget to admire your work when you get done.