cleaning in stressful times

Hurricane Ike blasted Galveston on Saturday and Hurricanes Lehman, Merill Lynch and AIG are pounding Wall Street and Main Street today.

In response, Clean+istry found itself washing a plate for about a minute while staring into space.  The kitchen counter top received a three step clean-up after dinner (wet wipe/soap wipe/Method Daily Granite wipe). We elected to trot out the Miele rather than pick up a few stray crumbs with our fingers. Lost in the gentle whir of the Miele’s motor, we regained consciousness to discover that half the living room had been completed.  The dining room table received a vigorous buffing and we polished the stainless steel front of the microwave (the microwave had not been involved in dinner preparation).  The kitchen sink sparkled.  You get the picture.

Clean+istry’s housekeeper will come tomorrow and repeat these steps once again.

Naturally, we are cognizant that our behavior is a feeble, hopefully not entirely self-destructive, attempt in establishing order under challenging circumstances, so do not fret.  We will save our next 45 minute session with the shrink to dissect more pressing issues, such as the meaning of the protocol that we apply to organizing footwear in our closet.

Vacuuming is one of Clean+istry’s standard reactions to stress. A floor free from distracting particles calms  frayed nerves.  Every single time.  Dusting baseboards is another highly effective alternative to deep breathing.

So now we turn the question over to you.  What are your clean reactions to trying times?  For instance, one member of Clean+istry’s family navigates crises in impeccably polished shoes.

Leave a comment or contact us and we’ll share it…with your permission of course.

kitchen shot via our friends at remodelista