When it comes to cleaning, there are many worldwide traditions that celebrate the cleaning and preparation of the home for fall.
India
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, takes place every October. One important part of the festival is the celebration of the goddess Lakshmi who visits everyone’s home to spread wealth and prosperity. To prepare, they set off fireworks, light rows of lamps to show her the way – and of course, clean their homes. To prepare, they do a deep cleaning of their home, working from the top of the house to the bottom. The deep clean includes a thorough dusting, stain removal and vacuuming of the home.
Netherlands
Picture-perfect windows are important in the Netherlands especially in the fall when people tend to spend more time indoors. To achieve spot-free windows, spray glass cleaner sparingly onto the window surface. Using a clean microfibre cloth, fold the cloth into four (so that there are eight surfaces for cleaning). Quickly wipe the window and then allow it to dry. If needed, polish and dry the glass surface with a clean, dry section of the cloth. Don’t spray exterior windows if the outside temperature is below freezing, or if the windows are hot from direct sunlight. For large areas, use a window squeegee to clean your windows. To eliminate streaks, wipe one side of the glass horizontally and the other side vertically. That way, when polishing out streaks, it will be easier to determine which side they’re on.
Italy
In Italy, it’s a tradition to air out duvets by hanging them outside. This cleaning tradition works best when there’s no humidity and therefore early fall, when the air is cool and dry, is the best time to do it. Take this time to also open up your windows to air out the room as well as wash your sheets, mattress covers, pillow cases and covers, etc. Fall is also the perfect time to give your mattress a good cleaning. This can be done by vacuuming its surface using the brush attachment. If your mattress needs deodorizing, simply sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the top of the mattress and let it sit. Vacuum the baking soda up thereafter using the vacuum brush attachment.
Canada
Playing in giant piles of raked leaves is a popular fall tradition that many families enjoy. Before gathering up the leaves for some well-deserved fun, make sure to check off some important outside chores first such as cleaning the gutters. If you are doing the task on your own, make sure to get a sturdy ladder to complete the job. According to Home Tips, a well-known website dedicated to home improvement advice, the best time to clean your gutters is mid fall, when most of the leaves have fallen, and the debris in the gutter is damp. Starting at the drain outlet at the low end of the gutter, use a garden trowel to push debris away from the drain. Make sure to scoop and dump the debris into a bucket as you go. Once you have removed the debris, using the high pressure setting on your hose, flush your gutters. Start at the farthest end and work your way back to the drain outlet. If you find there is debris stuck in the drainpipe, try utilizing a drain snake to remove it.
