Time For Spring Cleaning

Katie D.
5 days ago
3 min read

While everyone dreads it, spring cleaning helps bring organization and calm to our lives. It’s crucial to declutter and get rid of things we no longer use… even if we only do it once a year. Here are some tips and tricks to make spring cleaning easier!

History of Spring Cleaning

Before you learn about the best ways to clean, it's important to learn the history of "spring cleaning" and how it began. Spring cleaning may feel like a modern productivity trend, but its roots stretch back thousands of years across multiple cultures. According to National Geographic, "Before the Lunar New Year, it’s common to cleanse the home of bad luck and misfortune in China." The Spring Clean practice was seen as a form of good luck in a variety of cultures. Many historians track this cleaning ritual to ancient civilizations 3,000-4,000 years ago. During this time period, people used spring as a practical time to refresh their homes after a long, harsh winter. In colder climates, homes were sealed tightly for months and heated by fireplaces, oil lamps, or coal that covered the interior with soot, ash, and grime. When warmer weather arrived and windows could finally be opened, it made sense to air out living spaces and scrub away the buildup of winter. Over time, these practices blended into what we now recognize as spring cleaning.

Set the Mood

With the beautiful weather and warmer temperatures outside, open a window to let some of the relaxing breeze in and put you in a cleaning mood. Listening to music or a podcast lightens the mood and keeps you motivated. Cleaning doesn’t have to be a boring task, so have fun with it!

Declutter before you clean

Before you begin the deep clean, declutter first! This could be anything from emptying out drawers to getting rid of clothes from your closet. The most effective way to do this is using the 3-pile method. Have a designated pile for keep, donate, and trash. Think about anything around your house or room that you know you don’t need anymore. To prepare for next year, flip all the hangers in your closet backwards and when it comes time to spring clean for next year, you see exactly what you haven’t worn in a year!

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself

Start with one area at a time. One drawer, shelf, corner, or room. If you aim to clean the whole house immediately, you will burn yourself out. Make a checklist for everything you want to complete, and eventually you will get everything done. Progress (even slow progress) is better than perfection.

Little Things Make a Difference

There are so many things that seem small but make such a big difference. Vacuum the carpets even if you feel it’s unnecessary. Wipe down things like countertops, light switch covers, and mirrors. Most importantly, change out bed sheets and pillowcases for a fresh night’s sleep. Though they are minor details, this makes the area feel so much cleaner.

Freshen Up

Finish off the cleaning by adding some relaxing scents. Light a candle, or choose a candle warmer as a safer, flame-free alternative. To add a longer lasting scent to the room, there are carpet scents that you toss all over the carpet and vacuum them up! There are also options like room sprays and essential oils. Many of these include “stress relief," “calm," “relax," etc., to set the vibe of the room. To add some cozy touches to your area, bring in some plants (real or fake) and include soft lighting like lamps or string lights to avoid the harsh overhead lighting.

Once all the cleaning, organizing, and decluttering are done, you’ll realize how calming a more minimal space can feel. Enjoy these tips to make the annual spring-cleaning feel less like a chore!