While most of us think of seasonal cleaning as related simply to the changing seasons, seasonal cleaning actually has ties to cultural traditions in many places. Cultures the world over have some version of seasonal cleaning, often rooted in religion. Although the context for most of us is now more practical than spiritual, it’s easy to see how ideas of renewal and purity underscore the decision to finally organize the garage with the arrival of warmer weather or steam clean your home’s curtains and carpeting in anticipation of holiday guests.
Read on for a few seasonal cleaning traditions with cultural ties:
- La Quema del Diablo: This Guatemalan holiday, with beginnings that date to the institution of colonialist monasteries, has evolved into a nightlong party to usher in the Christmas season. In addition to crafting effigies of devils, locals sweep and gather trash from the streets to collect for burning. People gather and celebrate with dancing, as the burning materials purge everyone of sins and negativity.
- Rushbearing: Once practiced throughout medieval England, rushbearing refers to the annual replacement of rushes (grasses, straw, and other sweet-smelling foliage) that lined the earthen floors of churches. Rushes were a customary way to not only disguise odors but cover the dirt that made up the floor’s surface, serving as a sort of covering or carpet. Though the custom has virtually disappeared with modernized structures, several communities still have festivals centered around rushbearing, organized into day-long, town-wide events.
- Cleaning for Lunar New Year: Observed in many Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a two-week celebration with family, friends, and food. But the first part of observing this holiday consists of house cleaning and is based on the idea of ridding the home of any illness and bad luck accumulated throughout the prior year. On the first day of the new year, a break is in order; no tidying of any kind is to be done so as to not accidentally sweep out fresh good luck!
Regardless of locale or time of year, all of these share common themes of “starting with a clean slate,” as well as reinforcing community. Whether you’re spring cleaning, cleaning for a big event, or just need a little help, at Queen’s Cleaning Services, we want to be part of your community too—give us a call for seasonal cleaning today!