Joyful Cleaning*

by Rachel
from Virtuous Daughters, February 2007~Volume 6, Number 11

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And lo it was all grown over with thorns and nettles covered the face thereof and the stonewall thereof was broken down.” (Proverbs 24:30–31) This verse can easily be applied to a dirty kitchen, an unruly bedroom, and a smelly bathroom. It also says in Proverbs 19:24, “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” So girls, when our mother tells us to clean our rooms, let’s do it thoroughly. 

Last time we cleaned it was my job to clean one of our bathrooms. First make sure you have your mother’s permission to use cleaners, which is always important. Begin by removing any used towels and washcloths. Put these in the washing machine. Put the old bathroom trash into a trash sack and then you can also use it for putting your used paper towels in. Take all contents from around and on the sink and bathtub. Take your cleaner and wipe down and around the sink(s) and toilet. Sometimes this is not a “longed for job,” but it all needs to be done!! Also use your cleaner to clean the bathtub/shower! If you have one, you could try washing the bathtub/shower curtain. It adds a special touch. It gives a bathroom a little sparkle!! :)

You can also sweep the floor too!! Next you can clean the mirror and make sure there are no cobwebs on the walls, and carefully wipe down the walls and door for any dirty spots. Finally, it would be nice if you could put new towels, hand towels, and toilet paper in your clean bathroom. Make sure to get out of the bathroom to get fresh air!! Look around—can you see or think of anything else you might need to clean in the bathroom?
  
Remove all the trash and return your broom, cleaners, unused paper towels, and anything else you might use to their proper places. Praise the Lord. Now hopefully you have achieved the goal of a sparkling bathroom so your family can use it. But always remember that: “Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth. A stranger and not thine own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)
           
Let your home and heart sparkle for Him! :)