Passover Cleaning – A Simplified Guide
How to Clean for Passover Using Common Household Materials
As the month of Adar begins, we celebrate with joy, but once Purim has passed, it is a good idea to start preparing for Passover. This way, we can approach the coming holiday refreshed, clean, organized – and sane. The preparations should begin right after Purim by making a to-do list that outlines everything we need to accomplish from now until the eve of the holiday.
Eliminating Chametz
Ready, Set, Go!
Go through every room in the house and take note of what needs to be done. It is helpful to create a detailed list for each room, specifying both the tasks and their scheduled completion. For example, in a child’s room, you might list: bed, closet, desk, backpack (make sure to wash backpacks), carpet, toy storage, etc. Cross off each task as it is completed.
Where to Start?
- Begin the major cleaning in areas far from the kitchen and dining area, as these will be cleaned last.
- Work systematically and always focus only on the areas assigned for that day. Remember, the goal is to accomplish what was planned for the day, not to exhaust yourself or attempt the impossible.
Cleaning and Household Cleaning Materials
Did you know? The Torah does not command us to buy every cleaning product on the supermarket shelf. There are effective, economical ways to clean using materials already found at home.
Cleaning Agents
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a surfactant-based cleaner (similar to soap) that removes grease stains and other marks by breaking them down. Unlike hand soap or dish soap, laundry detergent is less affected by hard water. You can use it to clean more than just laundry:
- Dissolve some detergent in a small amount of water, apply it to the grout between floor tiles, wait about half an hour, and then scrub.
- It can also be used to clean bathroom tiles and remove mold stains.
- For stains on upholstery, carpets, and mattresses, sprinkle detergent mixed with a small amount of water and gently scrub with a brush.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
- A mixture of baking soda, cooking vinegar, and water (adding fabric softener for fragrance) creates a solution that can clean mirrors, windows, stovetops, bathrooms, and toilets.
- Clogged sink? Pour boiling water over baking soda to help clear the drain.
- Sprinkling baking soda in the refrigerator helps absorb odors.
Cooking Vinegar and Lemon (or Citric Acid)
- Removing scale buildup: Boil half a cup of vinegar (5%) in the kettle instead of using expensive chemical descalers.
- Dissolving grease: Vinegar helps break down grease and can be used for cleaning carpets.
- Softening laundry: Adding vinegar to the washing machine helps soften clothes, prevent bad odors, and remove limescale buildup that can cause the machine to malfunction.
- Cleaning countertops from limescale: Wipe surfaces with a cloth soaked in vinegar, wait half an hour, then wipe again with a clean cloth.
Using Oil for Cleaning
Before buying furniture polish or sending furniture for refinishing, try using a paper towel (tissue, napkin, or toilet paper) soaked in olive oil. Most dirt will be removed, and the wood will gain a protective layer that also enhances its shine. The smell will dissipate within minutes.
Soybean Oil or Wax for Polishing Marble Surfaces
After removing limescale from the countertop with vinegar, restore its shine with soybean oil, which acts as a natural polish. Apply the oil with a cloth and let it sit for two to three hours. This method works on natural stone countertops and regular floor tiles, creating a protective layer.
Lemon – A Natural Helper
- Removing stickers: The stickers children love to put on cabinets can be easily removed with lemon juice.
- Descaling shower doors: Dissolve a teaspoon of citric acid in a cup of boiling water. Once it cools slightly, dip a cloth in the solution and wipe down the glass shower doors. Most of the limescale will dissolve, leaving the glass clear and shiny.
Do I Have to Scrub?
After using all these recommended household cleaning agents, feel free to complete the process by purchasing high-quality cleaners tailored to specific needs. There’s no point in scrubbing endlessly only to achieve mediocre results when a quick application, spray, or wipe could yield much better outcomes. Passover requires serious cleaning, so it may be worth investing in specialized cleaning products that can save time and effort.
Be sure to add latex gloves to your shopping list to keep your hands clean and healthy. Store all cleaning supplies in a basket on a high shelf for easy access and safety.
Safety First: Preventing Cleaning Product Poisoning
Passover cleaning has a dark side – poisoning incidents. The National Poison Control Center at Rambam Hospital reports that Passover is a peak time for injuries caused by inhalation or ingestion of cleaning products. About half of all poisonings occur during Passover cleaning, with most victims being children under six.
How to Avoid Danger?
- Store cleaning products in a locked cabinet out of children’s reach.
- Never transfer cleaning products into drink bottles.
- Do not mix cleaning products!
- Always ventilate while using cleaning agents; keep a window open.
Watch for Symptoms in Children:
- Skin: Pain, redness, swelling, blisters.
- Eyes: Redness, pain, swelling, difficulty opening the eye.
- Digestive system: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty eating, excessive drooling.
- Respiratory system: Breathing difficulties, coughing, shortness of breath.
In case of poisoning (or suspected poisoning), call the National Poison Control Center (04-8541900) immediately. Always consult a medical professional without delay—never attempt to treat poisoning independently or ignore symptoms while finishing your cleaning.
Home Organization: Do’s and Don’ts
What Not to Do Before Passover:
The main goal of cleaning is to eliminate chametz. There are things that do not need to be done specifically before Passover and may be best left for another time:
- Organizing and cleaning wardrobes: They typically do not contain chametz and are better organized when the weather fully transitions into spring.
- Cleaning windows: Dust storms are common until late April or even mid-May, making it impractical to clean windows before Passover.
- Lampshades and curtains: These do not contain chametz and can be cleaned later.
What to Do Before Passover:
- Living Room: Clean bookshelves thoroughly. Dust, vacuum, and shake out any crumbs. You can do this early in the cleaning process and even put up a sign saying “No Chametz Here” to prevent further contamination.
- Furniture: Wash, vacuum, and deep-clean couch upholstery.
Final Preparations: The Kitchen
About a week before the holiday, focus on cleaning the kitchen and refrigerator and preparing the dining area.
- Instead of spending hours scrubbing ovens and stovetops, consider buying an electric stove just for Passover. Similarly, a toaster oven is not very expensive and can be stored away year-round with other Passover items.
- Cover cleaned cabinets and refrigerator shelves with plastic wrap, disposable tablecloths, or aluminum foil.
- Go through the pantry, fridge, and especially the freezer, and set aside any chametz to be eaten in the coming weeks.
- Remove chametz from your shopping list and avoid buying unnecessary items before Passover, despite tempting sales.
- Use up stored chametz by cooking meals in advance, freezing them in labeled disposable containers. These ready-to-eat meals will be useful in the hectic days before the holiday.
- Consider using disposable tableware for convenience. A ten-day supply of disposable plates, cups, cutlery, tablecloths, and baking pans can greatly ease the cleaning and preparation process.
- Establish a habit of eating only in the kitchen and dining area year-round, but especially before Passover. If you have children, stock up on Passover snacks available weeks in advance.
In the final days before the holiday, remove any remaining chametz, eat pre-prepared meals, and store any leftover chametz in a sealed container.
And don’t forget—holiday preparations also mean making time to rest. Chag Sameach!
