Cleaning Tips

If you're like me, you have a completely unwarranted and irrational fear of spiders. So, what to do when you need to clean a basement, attic, or other such area you typically avoid? As I have been doing so recently, I have a few tips:

1) Get a good shop vacuum. Older basements such as mine tend to collect sand, small rocks, and of course-- spider webs. You do not want to get very close to these things! Make sure the vacuum has a long hose and a long attachment. If the ceiling is high in the area you are cleaning, make sure the hose comes out of the top of the vacuum-- otherwise, it is likely to tip over and stop sucking air. If this happens, your anxiety may be increased by the fact that you are surrounded by webs with no "weapon!"

2) Following the idea of high ceilings...be sure to have a ladder on hand. The short, squat type with a shelf is best, as you will feel more stable and will be able to set a flashlight facing upwards on the shelf. When there are creepy crawleys present, it is best that you be able to see what you are doing!

3) Wear gloves. With all the dust and dirt around, you will inevitably get a speck of it in your eye. When this happens, you want to have clean hands! Also, spider webs are quite sticky and can cling to the end of the vacuum hose if they are especially thick--as they were in my case (in the house-- not the Inn!!).

4) Ladies especially: wear something over your head. A bandana or hat with hair pulled up would be ideal. Again, if you're like me and the vacuum stops and you have to climb down the ladder to adjust it, you may tend to get a bit paranoid. Spiders could spin webs down from the ceiling, other insects could fall, or a number of other things that may surprise you. These are unlikely to happen-- it is simply a reaction (like in grade school when you watched that video on lice and your head suddenly felt very itchy...)

5) Actually save that hardest, dirtiest part for last! You will feel more confident and prepared since you have been using the vacuum, balancing on a ladder, and taking back the dark, dirty area you have been cleaning!

6) Have some chocolate chip cookies or another treat waiting for you when you finish (perhaps after you shower). You will have had a good workout and a great feeling of accomplishment, but a refresh is necessary.

To be clear-- all Inn rooms are VERY clean and spider-free! The key is to not let any space sit for too long...and you all can help me with that by coming to visit often!