SPRING CLEANING

I am very much a ‘Spring cleaner’. That is, the onslaught of a thorough hygienic experiment in my house is usually carried out only once- every Spring. Or when we are on a transfer of residence. Whichever comes earlier! I say this in all earnest because there are some of us who have actually seen more transfers than Springs. Anyway, it is only during such relocations that all the ants- the black, the red and the white are enforcedly advised by the cleaners to go meet their maker. It is only then that the creatures of all kind- the small, the big and the obstinate are also made to transfer their habitation. It is only then that mattresses are aired, boxes are bared, garbage thrown and the dwelling shone.

Just like Winter is synonymous with New Year, I strongly feel that Spring cleaning should tantamount to scrubbing and scouring only when everything and everywhere (outdoors and indoors) starts to turn green. Whoever heard of spring- cleaning in Autumn- even if the falling leaves are just begging to be picked up? Whoever heard of spring-cleaning in Monsoon, even if the rain puddles are crying to be sponged? Whoever heard of spring-cleaning in Summer- even if the situation depicts that you are capable of growing plants in your own furniture?

It does not matter if in my home, the atmosphere is with or without dust. It is more important that the mind is without fear – of embarking on a frantic search for coasters in case the crockery leaves valuable ‘rings’ on tables. Of worrying whether to deliver one’s legs on the sofas, in case the post effect leaves stretch marks on cushions. Of wearing down ones shoes on the doormat so that soil smudges do not redecorate the carpets. Or of having a strict ‘no wet policy’ in the bathrooms, thereby depriving someone of taking a suicidal fall.

Earlier my husband used to be a ‘seasoned’ cleaner- meticulous and methodical on a daily, hourly, minutely, secondly basis. But with two and a half decades of my constant and patient explanations, I have convinced him that in every normal household ‘off season’ clearouts are meant only just before the arrival of a houseguest. Or as in our case, just after the arrival of one’s posting orders. Again, whichever comes earlier.

I have also convinced him of a lot of other things too. For one, a house should always feel more like a home- where one can be comfortable and where one can relax (even an occasional spider). I sincerely feel that even clothes have a right to be casually strewn- not to be forever suspended by their necks from those nooses called hangers. And linens unlike women, do not really mind having a wrinkle or two while decorating the beds. Not to forget the most important thing of all- that ‘litter’ is also another word for a ‘family’.

My priorities in life, although for some may appear quite lopsided lately, have actually graduated- from the menial to the meaningful. I find it ridiculous that we spend endless hours sparkling the marbled and the tiled flooring indoors and yet casually continue to defile the verdant carpeting of the Earth outdoors. Understandably, my husband’s thoughts have modified too. But whether they on based on awareness, lined with sympathy or border on indifference, I cannot tell.

I am very much a ‘spring cleaner’. And even at the cost of sounding grimy, I strictly do not believe in meddling with the seasons!

Nargis Natarajan.