Spring Cleaning Time!

Keep reading. You will discover everything there is to know about spring cleaning and why you should consider it this year. When you are done deep cleaning your homes, it will be time to spruce them up with fresh flowers. Check out our fresh flowers store for the best spring bouquets around.

What is Spring Cleaning? First of all, let’s define spring cleaning. Thankfully, the name tells you everything you need to know. Spring cleaning is the practice where a person deeply cleans their home in the springtime.

Most often spring cleaning occurs in areas that have a cold winter. Cold climates require homes to be completely shut up during the winter months. This can create an environment that is dirtier and dustier than it would be in the summer. Thus, as the temperatures begin to warm up, people work to clean and air out their homes.

Even if you live in a warm part of the United States, you can still spring clean. Many people like to deep clean in the springtime because it can be easily remembered. You may have had your windows open all winter, but spring comes at the same time for everyone. When spring flowers begin to bloom, it is time to get cleaning no matter where you live.

You may be wondering about the actual process of spring cleaning. That is a good question. Most people use mild, warm weather to clean their entire homes. This means removing, or at least moving around, furniture and cleaning underneath it. You may also want to carpet clean, vacuum, and wash your floors. Dusting and washing down furniture and appliances are also a common part of spring cleaning.

Some people take spring cleaning to another level. They use the time to check all of their appliances. They may even scrub down their ovens—no one’s favorite task!

If you want to kill it this spring, we discuss the best process for spring cleaning your entire home below.

Spring Cleaning History Although we are very familiar with spring cleaning in the United States, it is not a traditional American concept. In fact, spring cleaning has a very long history. Researchers—yes, some people study the history of spring cleaning—trace spring cleaning to multiple different cultures. There is no way to know which culture originated the practice.

• Ancient Persia There is a good case to be made that spring cleaning began in ancient Persia. During the Persian New Year houses and everything in it would be completely cleaned. The Persian New Year, or Iranian Nowruz, occurs on the first day of spring. This form of spring cleaning continues today.

• Ancient Israel Some scholars trace the origins of spring cleaning to the Ancient Hebrews. They would completely clean their homes. Passover is a springtime festival that commemorates the Israelites’ flight from Egypt. Observers of the holiday are not supposed to have even crumbs of leavened food in their home for the week of Passover. Thus, their homes were completely cleaned to ensure all leavened products and crumbs were removed.

There is no way to know for sure where the concept of spring cleaning originated. However, it continues to be an extremely popular occurrence around the world, and even among some religions. In countries that are primarily Greek Orthodox, including Greece, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Georgia, spring cleaning usually happens on April 1st.

The Catholic Church also observes a type of spring cleaning. On Maundy Thursday, which is the day before Good Friday, the entire altar and its contents are cleaned.

Obviously, spring cleaning remains popular in the United States and Europe. The practice caught on in both places because their relatively wet and windy spring climates helped remove dust from carpets and homes before the advent of vacuums. Traditionally, spring cleaning occurred in March. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, no coal furnaces would be running during March, which made it a good time to clean the winter soot from your home.

Some cultures have whole home cleaning that occurs during other seasons. For example, a “big cleaning” is done in Japan in late December. Residents of Scotland also prefer to completely clean their homes in December—on the 31st. After they are done cleaning, all cultures advocate bringing in flowers to add good scents and vibes to your home.

It doesn’t matter whether you clean your home in December or April, it is an important practice. In the next section, we tell you why.

Why is Spring Cleaning Important? Even though we no longer have coal furnaces or lack vacuums, spring cleaning is important. You should consider doing it this March or April, especially if you live in a cold area.

There are lots of reasons to do spring cleaning. In fact, it can provide many health benefits. Below are five of the most important.

• 1) Spring cleaning removes allergens. In our age of COVID-19, cleaning and disinfecting have become even more important. More people than ever are prioritizing keeping their homes clean and free of allergens. Spring cleaning is a great way to do just that.

The more dust, debris, and dirt you remove from your home, the less room there will be for bacteria and other allergens to thrive. A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology even found that spring cleaning can help reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.

• 2) Spring cleaning reduces stress. An important part of spring cleaning is organizing your space. Living in a clean and ordered home can reduce stress levels significantly. Then all you have to do is add a bouquet, and you will have a super stress-free environment.

One word of caution, however: Do not push yourself to clean too much too fast. You will not likely complete your spring cleaning in one day. Putting too much pressure on yourself can increase your stress, not lower it.

• 3) Spring cleaning makes it easier to focus. In addition to lowering stress, a clean environment makes it easier to focus. The less clutter you have, the more space there will be for your brain to focus on other things.

When you can focus better you will work more efficiently. This ensures you get more work done than you would in a dirty home. If you are worried about your productivity, then you need to spring clean this year.

• 4) Spring cleaning improves your mood. When your stress is reduced and you can focus better, it makes sense that your mood will be raised. That is exactly what happens when you spring clean. A clean home makes for a happy occupant.

Additionally, getting the cleaning done provides a sense of accomplishment, which helps raise our mood. Adding a few beautiful touches, like roses or sunflowers when you are done cleaning will also help raise your mood.

• 5) Spring cleaning reduces clutter. The actual result of spring cleaning—i.e. a cleaning and less cluttered home—can also not be discounted. Reducing clutter helps our physical and mental health. It also makes items easier to find.

There is also something cathartic about removing items from our lives that no longer serve us. These things just sit around and gather dust. Taking time in March or April to release them is a great way to celebrate the renewal and rebirth that the spring season represents.

How to Spring Clean Each Room Ready to start your spring cleaning journey? Use the guide below to ensure you get the most important rooms in your home clean this spring.

• Everywhere Some spring cleaning tasks will be common for every room. These include dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping. You will also want to do the following tasks.

1. Clean windows and window treatments.
2. Clean and replace lightbulbs.
3. Vacuum vents.
4. Wash all baseboards, ceiling fans, window sills, and doors.
5. Remove cobwebs.
6. Carpet clean or steam wash hard floors as necessary.
7. Change batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors.
8. Check fire extinguisher.
9. Sweep all porches.
10. Disinfect counters and other surfaces.

• Bedrooms Bedrooms are an important room to keep clean. These are our personal spaces. The cleaner your bedroom, the better your rest. It is also advisable to keep clutter out of your bedroom. These spaces are meant to be relaxing. Dirt and clutter are not relaxing, which is why they should be removed when you clean this spring.

Instead of clutter and electronics, try keeping books and relaxing flowers in your bedroom. While you spring clean, you will also want to do the following bedroom-specific tasks.

1. Clean all bedding and pillows.
2. Flip or rotate your mattress.
3. Go through your closet and donate any clothes or other items you no longer want.

• Living Room/Family Room Most people spend a lot of time in their living and family rooms. During the winter these rooms can get quite dirty. Yes, you likely vacuumed and dusted throughout the winter, but living and family rooms could use a complete clean in the spring.

Here are some tasks to consider when planning your spring cleaning for living and family rooms.

1. Vacuum upholstered furniture.
2. Steam clean upholstered furniture if stained.
3. Dust and polish wooden furniture.
4. Clean lampshades.
5. Wash any throw blankets or pillows.

• Office With the rise of working from home during COVID-19, your office has likely been used a lot. It is easy to forget about this room when you are spring cleaning, though. But your office could use a thorough clean and some organized at the end of the winter. Consider doing the following.

Wipe down all monitors and keyboards. Dust all surfaces. Disinfect keyboards and desks. Clean out and organize desk drawers and cabinets. You may also want to remove extraneous files and emails from your computer as well.

• Kitchen If you cook a lot, your kitchen could use a good spring cleaning. Even if you are not a regular cook, you should put the kitchen on your spring cleaning to-do list. Because this is the room where food is made, you want to ensure everything is as clean and bacteria/germ-free as possible. These tasks can help with that.

1. Deep clean your refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.
2. Go through your pantry and remove old food items, clean the shelves, and reorganize.
3. Move as many appliances as possible and clean behind them.
4. Wash and disinfect all counters.
5. Clean out and wipe down cabinets.

• Bathroom We’ve saved the least enjoyable for last. No one likes cleaning bathrooms. But, keeping bathrooms clean is an essential part of ensuring your family remains healthy. The warm, moist atmosphere in most bathrooms is a breeding ground for bacteria. Regular cleaning is important for keeping that bacteria at bay. In the spring, you should do more than just clean your counters and toilets.

1. Clean and disinfect the shower, toilet, sink, and counters.
2. Wash shower liners and curtains. If either is discolored, consider replacing it.
3. Wash and disinfect any bathmats.
4. Wash all towels.
5. Dust any shelves or decorative objects.
6. Clean tile and grout thoroughly.

Obviously, you are a busy person. Likely, you will not have time to do every single task listed above. Remember, driving yourself crazy while spring cleaning doesn’t help anything. Instead, pick a few tasks for each room and clean slowly. You will love how even a little extra effort makes for a significantly cleaner home.