Spring Cleaning, MS-Style

springI live in a teeny-tiny old cottage with a tall teenager, a small kitten and around 25 spiders.

Not as pets or anything, they just hang around in gangs in dark corners and chuck their webs everywhere. Normally I’m quite happy to lie on my sofa, dazed with MS fatigue, tracking their progress across the ceiling and back (I’m in awe of their bustling energy).

There was a huge one in the bathroom for months who became such a fixture I’d nod and say, ‘Morning, Kevin’ every day; when The Teenager finally cottoned on, Kevin mysteriously disappeared.

Anyway, we’ve had an obscene amount of sunshine these last couple of weeks which has showed up my general lapse in housekeeping in all it’s glory ( I blame all the essays I’m writing at the moment …). Coupled with a go-faster kitten who tears around the house at top speed all day, leaving chaos wherever she goes, our house is in desperate need of a little Spring Cleaning TLC.

So today I put my plan into action. It’s simple: do only what is Absolutely Necessary. I dug out my feather duster, stumbled after the kitten who lunged for it and ran away, knocked my knee against the bannister and sat down for a nice cup of tea and a slice of Battenburg.

Suitably recovered, I knew the bath non-slip thingie needed cleaning so I filled the bath with cold water, sloshed a bit of bleach in it and left it to marinade for a couple of hours. Simple.

I flicked the duster around the whole house, chased by the pesky kitten and numerous spiders. I used a tumble-dryer sheet (cheating, but it works) to dust the books and ornaments and straightened rugs and cushions. Then I stopped for an espresso and another slice of cake.

Ok, next thing. Tidied my desk. Re-arranged my Sharpies. Shuffled a few piles of papers. Done.

Got the cordless vacuum out – bought after endless bouts of tripping over the cord of my old one. Shoved it round a little, battery ran out, put it on to re-charge. Sit down.

Give up.

It’s fine. I’ve fitted low-wattage bulbs to ensure I see less dust. We’re definitely going to rock the boho-chic-tiny-cottage look for a little while longer. If I have the energy, I’ll fluff the duvets. Making sure the kitten isn’t nestling in the middle of it first, chewing on my feather duster.

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10 thoughts on “Spring Cleaning, MS-Style

  1. Kerri says:

    I enjoy your humor. You make everyday things interesting.

  2. John says:

    I do sympathise but I do have some help when doing housework. Being old, my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, so my golden rule is never to wear my reading glasses when dusting and if there is bright sunshine streaming through the windows put on sunglasses. It is amazing how spick and span every thing looks when a bit out of focus. But one can still locate the biscuit tin.

    • stumbling in flats says:

      A most excellent plan! I do have a pair of sunglasses and have just tried them on. You’re right. Much more soft-focus dust. Result! Thank you 🙂
      x
      p.s. biscuit tin is priority

  3. Donna Taylor says:

    Conkers are a great spider deterrent. I have a little pile in ever corner (covered in dust but still effective) xx

  4. you did a lot! I am not too concerned about dust here, if it bugs someone I will hand them the duster :p I have more important thing to spend energy on doing then cleaning, well the kitchen and bathroom are done of course (and then I’m done :p)

    • stumbling in flats says:

      I’m the same – as long as the bathroom and kitchen are clean, I’m happy. Won’t be doing any more spring cleaning soon 😉
      x
      p.s. I’ve just let the spiders run riot again …

  5. Ms. CrankyPants says:

    I have a friend who actually cleans her baseboards. Regularly. Am not sure whether to admire her or stop being her friend immediately. 🙂

    • stumbling in flats says:

      Blimey! That’s either impressive or deeply sad. Actually, I’m impressed. Can you send her to my house??
      x

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