My memory tells me that in Canada, a major cleaning for one's house took place in the Spring, when one could hang things outside again to dry or air, when one could open the windows for fresh air, and when it was time to clean up from the Winter.

Here in Japan, the big house (or apartment/room) cleaning occurs at the end of the year, or more correctly before the end of the year. It is called 大掃除 (O-so-ji), which translates to Big Cleaning. How big of a cleaning one does depends on the person - there is no rule. The idea is one that is a big similar in some other cultures though, namely to get rid of the dirt from this year, so that the new year can start clean.

My wife is very good at doing this whereas I do my best. I'm a bit sad to see the Christmas decorations and objects put away for another year, meaning that this time is over. Also, I can get distracted while cleaning one area which means I do less cleaning than I could have done.

Case in point, while cleaning the refrigerator yesterday, there was a cracked plexiglass tray. Much time was spent cutting, fitting and glueing a new piece over the cracked area, instead of just taping it and moving on. Both fixes would work equally well, but I went with the more labor intensive job.

Our cleaning usually involves a few days, but after more hard work today, we are more or less done.

Now we just have to wait for Spring, when once again we open the windows, put things out for airing, and do much, much cleaning.

I'm looking forward to some rest.