On April 20, 1950, The Aspen Times rallied its citizens for a community-wide cleaning spree. The focus? Yards, gardens, and unattractive vacant lots. The gallant people of Aspen, Colorado, responded, tidying their backyards and planting flowers in public spaces.

When did spring cleaning become a thing?

During the 1800s, according to the Washington Post, the biggest annual housecleaning took place in the spring because the winter left homes coated with “a layer of soot and grime in every room.” Lamps of the time were lit with whale oil or kerosene, which had to be heated with coal or wood, so you can just imagine that …

How did the mole go about his spring cleaning?

As the book begins, Mole goes about his spring cleaning very industriously and with great energy. He uses brooms and dustpans to sweep, and he makes sure he gets every corner of the house clean by climbing up on steps, ladders, and chairs. He even goes so far as to begin to whitewash or paint his interior.