Relaxed Pesach/Spring Cleaning

Pesach cleaning is really only for getting rid of the chometz in the house. But because dust mites accumulate in closets, drawers and throughout the house,it is worthwhile, wise and gratifying to do spring cleaning at the same time. Included below is how to be Pesachdig by Shabbos Hagadol. 

Good Times To Start

• For larger houses or apartments the best time to start is right after Chanukah or right after Asara B’teves.                
• For small apartments the best time to start is right after Tu B’shvat.                      
• For one or two room apartments, the best time to start is anywhere from the week before Purim to the latest the day after.          

  Juggling Pesach And Day to Day Housework

• Once one decides to start with the Pesach/spring cleaning, one should set some time on Sunday’s, Monday’s and Tuesday’s. Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s one stays with their regular routine and preparing for Shabbos.      
• Those who cannot manage the house and Pesach cleaning at the same time should minimize their chores around the house while concentrating on their Pesach cleaning.      
• After one’s regular morning routine, one can put up a load of laundry and start with their Pesach/spring cleaning, putting in another load every so often.      
• After accomplishing the amount for that day, one can do their day to day housework, before the children or husband come home.
• It is important to be realistic and know how much one can accomplish in one time without overwhelming oneself.
• Making too much of a mess than necessary causes one to become overwhelmed, confused and disorganized.               
• Having a garbage bag and any other supplies that one might need nearby, can be very helpful in staying and keeping organized.          

Where to start

Those with little children, can start with higher areas listed below. (Ones without little children, can start with the list below cleaning the closets/bookcases completely).

• Bedroom closets:      
  • Empty out top shelf and then, if possible, lift the shelf out of the  closet.                     
  • With a damp cloth, wipe the shelf all around. Then wipe all around in the empty space of the closet.                     
  • After making sure the shelf and area of the closet is completely dry, one can put back the shelf.                     
  • Whatever goes back on that particular shelf should be put in an organized way. (see note # 2 below)                     
  • Items that don’t belong on that particular shelf should be put where it belongs or be set aside (in a bag) to give away if no longer needed.           
  • Continue in this manner until one finishes the whole closet. 
• Dresser                             
  • Pull out all the drawers from the dresser and wash all over with a damp cloth.           
  • Empty out the contents of one drawer and either vacuum inside or turn the drawer upside down to let out any dirt or dust.          
  • With a damp cloth, wipe the drawer all over well.           
  • Check to see that the drawer is completely dry before placing the contents back in the drawer.           
  • After finishing each drawer, place them back in the dresser.
    • Note that one can pull out one drawer at a time if one finds that more convenient.                
• Hanging closets                
  • If the hanging closet has a top shelf, the top shelf should be done first. If the shelf is long, then it is best to clean it in parts. 
  • If the hanging closet is small:                         
    • Empty out the closet.                
    • With a damp cloth, wipe all around the closet.                
    • Any clothes that don’t have any pockets can be put back into the closet immediately.                
    • The clothes with pockets can now be checked and then be put back into the closet.                
    • Pockets can be cleaned with a toothbrush.          
      1. All clothing with pockets that will be worn again before Pesach – the pockets should be turned inside out before being put in the washing machine.           
    • If the hanging closet is either long or a walk in closet, it is advisable to clean each section separately.             
• Other closets around the house      
• Bookcases                            
  • One can dust on top of the bookcase with a wet rag. Then wipe it down again with a damp cloth until it is clear from dust.           
  • Before taking the seforim/books out of the bookcase, it is advisable to lay out a disposable tablecloth on the surface the seforim/books will be placed.           
  • Take out all the seforim/books from the top shelf.           
  • Wipe down the shelf and all around with a damp cloth. (If possible lift out the shelf)           
  • Now wipe down with a dry cloth.                     
  • Take one sefer/book and with an appropriate size paint brush, dust all  the three sides of the sefer/book.           
  • Open the front cover and then the back cover and brush down.  
  • Air out the sefer/book by flipping its pages and wipe the book with a barely damp cloth.           
  • Be sure the sefer is completely dry before placing it back into the bookcase.           
  • Continue with each bookshelf in this manner until one has finished.           
• Kitchen            
  • Pick any cabinet or drawer that will not have to be done again before Pesach           
  • Empty it out.           
  • Wash all over with a damp wet cloth or scrub where needed. 
  • Wipe down with a dry cloth.                     
  • Place back whatever belongs in the cabinet.           
  • Any extra freezer or refrigerator can be emptied out of any chometz and cleaned. (see below on how to clean).           

• Dusting in high areas              
  • With a wet rag, gather as much dust as possible.           
  • Wash the rag when needed.           
  • Repeat if necessary.           
  • Wipe down with a dry cloth.                
• Windows or doors that will not have to be done again before    Pesach.      
  • Although some people like to wash windows with newspapers, this is not necessary.           
  • After washing a glass door or window (mirrors too), wipe down well with a dry cloth. Go over any marks or streaks that are still left on the window/door.                      

General Notes:      

1. Closets and bookcases should be done shelf by shelf rather than emptying the whole closet, unless the closet/bookcase would need to be moved.      
2. Either shoe boxes or the right size food containers are helpful to keep drawers and closets organized for items like socks, small undergarments and yarmulkes.            
3. Always work with ease and  never set a time limit for how long a particular job should take.      
4. Playing a lively and normal to fast music instead of talking tapes/radio may help one to work more sufficiently. (One must see what works best for them).

From right after Purim, it is advisable to take an inventory of the amount of  chometz there is in the freezer, refrigerator and pantry and to start using it up before Rosh Chodesh Nissan (that is 2 weeks before Rosh Chodesh). Some might want to take an inventory some time before Purim.

From Rosh Chodesh Nissan

From Rosh Chodesh Nisan, it would be wise not to have chometz  that makes crumbs and that children can take around the house. It is also advisable not to have any chometz at all in the house if possible,from this date. Those who find it difficult not to have chometz from Rosh Chodesh,should at least try to be chometz free from the Sunday before Shabbos Hagadol.        

Where To Clean

At this point ones who have little children can start cleaning the    lower areas that were not done.         

• Areas in the kitchen that would not have to be  re-cleaned.    
  • Cabinets           
  • Drawers           
  • Pantry           
  • Refrigerator (If you will not be using it for chometz)           
  • Freezer/s (If you will not be using it for chometz)           
  • Oven/s (If you will not be using it for chometz)           
  • Toaster (If you will not be using it for chometz)                     

The  Sunday Before Shabbos Hagadol                          

(If Pesach falls on a Shabbos, one may clean all the contents below the day after Shabbos Hagadol. If others want to be Pesachdig by Shabbos Hagadol that too would be okay). 

What To Clean

• All chometz and chometz containers should be emptied out of the refrigerator and freezer.      
• All the dishes, silverware, pots and containers that need washing should be washed and dried.      
• Clear and clean all the counters and the sinks. Note; once the counters and sinks are cleaned, nothing should be put on them.      
• One can start cleaning the oven, freezer, refrigerator and all the cabinets that were not yet done. Note; once any of these items are done, no chometz should be put in them.      
  • Refrigerator/freezer      

1. Empty out the refrigerator completely.                
2. All the parts that come out can be put into the bathtub filled with water and soap if desired. (Any parts that are not really dirty can be wiped well with a rag).                
3. While the parts are soaking one can clean all over the freezer and refrigerator.                
4. Now the refrigerator parts can be scrubbed, washed, wiped down and put back in their place.               

5. Chairs and table/s                  
   • If the chairs are upholstered, the corners can be cleaned with a  toothbrush.           
   • If the upholstery is dirty or stained, one can lightly scrub the        upholstery with either a scouring pad or a brush/toothbrush dipped in soapy water.                      
   • Place the chair either in front of a fan or in the sun to dry. 
6. One can kosher the counters and sinks and/or cover them. 
7. Take out all the Pesach dishes.

Now one can start cooking for Shabbos Hagadol with their Pesach dishes.   

Helpful Cleaning Tools

• Toothbrush      
• Toothpicks      
• Scouring pads      
• Rags      
• All kinds and sizes of paint brushes      
• Other cleaning brushes                      

Natural Cleaning Products            

• Those who don’t like to use soaps that have chemicals can make their own using a spray water bottle containing water and vinegar. Caution must be taken not to use this mix on certain counters and floors.              
• A little bit of a cheap oil on a scouring pad can be used to clean    sticky (from packaging tape etc) areas on window frames, windows or other surfaces except unfinished wood and cloth materials.                            

Experiencing  Difficulties In Cleaning

There can be some years when a complete Pesach/spring cleaning may be difficult to do. Relax!  Know that most actual spring cleaning or any cleaning other than disposing of chometz is only extra. Halachically (according to Torah law) one may do the minimum, which is to dispose of actual chometz (any product made out of the five grains of flour). Of course, when we can do more it is certainly a special part of Pesach to be extra careful, but we need to guard our health and stay in good spirits. It is therefore important to know what the minimum is and then plan accordingly.

Notes

• Most children take food around the house and worse than that, tend to hide it too. Therefore it is important to check all over, including under beds, couches dressers, and above high furniture such as bookcases, closet shelves and refrigerator/freezer.  
• (Below are guidelines, use your judgment, and don’t hesitate to ask a Posek [qualified Rabbi] when necessary).      

Examples Of Minimizing Your Workload 

Bookcases

• Those who do not eat around their books can leave them as is without cleaning and use them for Pesach – although it would be    praiseworthy to avoid bringing them to food areas.      
• Ones who do eat around their books or seforim should close off the bookcase for the week of Pesach if you don’t clean it; this can be done by draping a cloth or plastic sheeting over the books. Any book or sefer that one will need to use for the week of Pesach    should be cleaned and set aside.      

Bedrooms      

• Beds                  
  • If one takes chometz to their beds (as many children do) one can simply wipe/brush down or vacuum the mattresses and the frames of the beds.           
  • Move the bed to vacuum or sweep well. Do not worry about doing any extra cleaning including dusting or washing the floor. Crumbs in this non-eating area are not actually forbidden.
• Closets And Drawers              

NOTE: For those who have more than one closet or set of drawers, consider combining all the clothes your children will need for the week of Pesach into one storage area. Then simply close off the rest.      

Making a list of what all the children will need for the week can help us to keep organized and not forget clothes that the children will need. The children who are old enough can be given the chore of gathering their own clothes and putting them in their proper place. When making this list, don’t forget to number the amount and color of socks or other multiple items that will be needed.  

• Closets – There is no need to empty out all the clothes of a hanging closet. Simply check the pockets, which can easily be cleaned with a toothbrush or vacuum cleaner.           
• Don’t forget to check the bottom of the closet!                     
• Drawers – Drawers that need to be checked for chometz can be done pile by pile. That can be a lot easier than taking out all the clothing at once. Simply take out one pile, check to see that the drawer space in that area is free of chometz, shake out each item, fold, and put back. Repeat with each pile.      

Kitchen              

• Cabinets or a pantry that is not needed on Pesach can be closed up without cleaning.      
• Floors should be washed or at least swept well.      
• Toaster oven – since it is not used for Pesach just make sure it is free of chometz.

Children’s Items      

• Toys – Only the ones that you want to leave out should be checked and washed. All the others should be put away. 

Tip – many toys/blocks/cars can be put in the washing machine, bathtub or big bucket.           

• School bags – Remove any chometz which should be eaten or disposed of and put it away in a locked chometz-dic area, (there is no need to worry about crumbs). If you do intend to use them, then it is necessary to thoroughly clean them out.