Air Out Your Babies Once A Day

 

In the near future I plan on doing a thorough spring cleaning. Usually this involves taking everything out of closets and organizing them into the three essential piles: keep, donate, toss. I will also pull out my carpet shampooer and clean the carpets. Many other countries also abide by this cleansing ritual. And that's about where we (US) part ways regarding chores. 

In Germany, during the Winter season, they burp. Burping involves opening every window in the house for five to ten minutes each day to air out the house. 

I do not burp, although I leave open one window a tiny sliver.

A washing machine in Japan is essential. You will find a machine in even the tiniest of apartments. They even have machines which do a wash/dry cycle, but in most cases, Japanese still hang out their wet clothes to air dry. This is something apparently verboten in this country. This is how my mother did it. It's how I did it (and got dirty looks from neighbors) and I still air dry my clothes. 

Another European and Asian feature Americans seem to be afraid to use is the bidet, although this is finally catching on here. Instead of using massive rolls of toilet paper you can get a refreshing wipe using the butt wash. 

How we wash dishes. Americans are spoiled with their dishwashers. A few Europeans are also appalled when they see how some Americans keep the water running when they hand wash dishes. Garbage disposals are also an American invention. 

In 2014, the government of Spain declared all children must do household chores. Men must do their part as well. Unfortunately, like America, women still do the majority of chores. 

I like the way the French clean and have applied this technique myself. Don't clean the whole house in a day. Take a section at a time. I hate to dust but it's a must since I'm a maximalist. So, I clean one section, continually rotating the process. 

Europeans also don't understand coffee to go. You sit, relax and drink your coffee. Not a cleaning tip but here's something I witnessed as I sat in a Chinese restaurant. A server was wiping down tables and I noticed a lovely, fresh smell as she passed by. I asked her what she was using. They use leftover tea which naturally cleans and leaves the room smelling wonderful.

Americans love their chemical cleaners. I admit I'm partial to Lysol spray, but that's about it. I use soap, plain old soap and I wash my hands frequently. Every time I come back from venturing into the world, the first thing I do after discarding shoes at the door is wash my hands. It could be why I haven't fallen ill this terrible season where people are dropping like flies. Wash your hands. 

Shoes. I cannot stand people walking in my house with their shoes on. I imagine them traipsing in dog poo, bugs, dirt and so on. The Japanese tradition of taking off shoes at the door is one every country should follow. 

Babies. In America this habit would be considered child abuse. In Scandinavian countries it's normal. Babies are bundled up and placed outside in their strollers in the Winter. I remember my Swedish grandmother telling me this when I was very young. I think my mother might have done this on occasion with my baby sister. Honestly, I don't recommend this here. Too many children left alone in stifling cars while parents forget their little ones. 

Vending machines. Another reason I love Japan. I absolutely love vending machines. Here we sell lottery tickets. There, you can buy a pair of underwear, a towel, a pizza, beer, wine, dog food, medicine... They would be useful in a food desert where space is limited. 

Now I must go mop my kitchen and bathroom floors. Back in the day I used to get on my hands and knees and scrub. I can't do that anymore so I will use a Swiffer or baby wipes under my feet and wipe. I abhor string mops which the rest of the world still uses. I think they are bacteria spreaders. I have one wonky broom that is useless so I normally vacuum in my kitchen. 

Of course, if you're not a cleaner, this post won't interest you. Some people do just fine with greasy door handles, three inch dust bunnies and fungi growing in their tubs.

For me, clean surroundings cleanses my mind as well. However you choose to clean really doesn't matter - burping, death cleanse, tea, bleach, or child labor, a clean house is a happy house.