Discover the deeper meaning of fall cleaning. Learn how autumn clearing prepares space for the season ahead—with tips from Clean My Space.
Autumn Clearing: Preparing Space for the Season Ahead
In centuries past, households marked the shift from harvest to winter with a deep cleaning. Hearths were swept, walls were whitewashed, and storerooms were readied for the months ahead. The work was practical, yes—but it was also symbolic. Clearing the home prepared both space and spirit for the season that was coming.
I may not have a fireplace to tend here in the tropics, but the rhythm still speaks to me. October feels like a fall version of spring cleaning: a chance to pause, refresh, and ready ourselves for what’s ahead.
The Deeper Meaning of Cleaning
When we sweep, dust, or declutter, it’s more than just “tidying up.” These small acts create room. They mark a transition. They whisper: you are preparing for something new.
Cleaning, then, isn’t just about having a shiny countertop. It’s about making space in both our homes and our hearts.
A Practical Resource: Clean My Space
Melissa Maker, in her book Clean My Space, offers practical strategies for keeping a home healthy and manageable. One section I especially appreciate is her approach to homemade cleaning products.
Instead of relying on chemical-heavy store-bought supplies, she highlights how simple, natural ingredients—vinegar, baking soda, lemon, essential oils—can do the job just as well, sometimes better. It’s safer for our environment, healthier for our families, and, in today’s world of rising prices, a more affordable choice too.
Her reminder is timely: cleaning doesn’t have to mean filling a cart with expensive sprays. Sometimes the simplest, most natural solutions are the most effective.
The Mantra: Magic in the Mundane
Wiping down a counter. Sweeping the floor. Organizing a shelf. These are the tasks we might dismiss as ordinary—but they can hold meaning if we let them.
October invites us to see the magic in these mundane acts. To honor the rhythm of clearing space not just for the holidays, but for peace, presence, and possibility.
A Question for You
What space in your home—or in your heart—feels like it needs a sweeping this season?
-Laura