Spring Cleaning for the Soul

It's two days before the first Seder begins. Have you finished your Passover cleaning and shopping yet? 


When we clean for Passover, not only are we searching every crack and crevice for chametz, we are also cleansing our souls. We are digging out our undesirable personality traits, such as self-importance and petty pride. Passover food, let's face it, is bland, and we are supposed to be modest and humble throughout the year.


Even though religious Jews start a month in advance, fear not If you haven't! Here is a handy-dandy checklist, courtesy of the Orthodox Union:


• START EARLY - The sooner you begin after Purim, the better it is; by doing a little bit every day, the job is not overwhelming.

• Start with areas where chametz (leaven) does not usually go and declare them off limits until Passover.

• Start buying Passover food items early. Have a place ready to store them.

• In the last week before Passover, indulge in convenience foods and paper plates.

• Clean the oven as early as possible and use only the stove top or toaster oven until Passover. They are well worth the price for ease and speed in food preparation.

• Check with your rabbi for instructions on how to kosher the microwave.

• Invest in a food processor and electric hand-mixer for Passover. They are well worth the price for ease and speed in food preparation.

• Aluminum foil is a great help on Passover – it can cover counters, shelves etc. as well as wrap cooked foods. (For Kosher for Passover non-food items, consult the OU Passover Guide, featured on http://www.oupassover.org. It is also available for purchase--see below for details). 

• Don’t forget to clean brooms, vacuum cleaners, clothing pockets, car and garage.

• Be sure to consult the OU Passover Guide – there are new products every year to enhance your holiday.

• Enjoy having the entire house clean at one time and keep up a cheerful front. You will appreciate Passover more and so will your whole family.

If all this really overwhelms you, watch the humorous video below (with apologies to Gloria Gaynor):

Some religious families even hire Passover cleaning services, such as HCH Inc. They scope homes for chametz the way Roscoe would sniff for bedbugs. 

The Web site Star-K has an extensive list of products that are Kosher for Passover and those that are chametz. There is no need to buy special cleaning products because certain brands (such Ajax, Dawn, and Joy), may be used without the K for P symbol.

Happy cleaning!