As the first warm rays of sunshine lure us outside and the days finally get longer again, spring is just around the corner and with it, spring cleaning. For many decades, the big "clean-up" has been a tradition as soon as nature begins to blossom again. Spring cleaning is the ideal way to symbolically say goodbye to winter and give your home a fresh upgrade. As a rule, you not only rid yourself of physical dirt, but also create space for new and positive things. While nature is in full bloom, you can create clarity, freshness and order inside your four walls with a spring clean to start the warmer season with new energy and joy.
Sounds good? The only question is, how does spring cleaning actually work, what do you need and what other benefits does it have? You can find out exactly that in our spring cleaning tips below.
What is spring cleaning?
Spring cleaning is a fixed ritual for many people at the start of the warmer season. When winter finally bids farewell and the first warm rays of sunshine penetrate the clouds, you may also intuitively feel that it's time to give your living spaces a thorough clean and let in a breath of fresh air. Spring cleaning involves paying special attention to every room: hidden corners are cleaned, curtains are washed and furniture is polished. It's also the perfect time to air out thoroughly and let the fresh spring air into your home. This makes spring cleaning very different from daily, weekly or monthly cleaning. It involves cleaning and organizing things that you otherwise rarely clean or structure. Spring cleaning is believed to have its origins in the days of coal and wood-burning stoves. As soon as temperatures rose, the first warm days of spring were used to air out and remove soot, ash and dust from living spaces.
Another important aspect of systematic spring cleaning is sorting out. Over time, items accumulate that you no longer need. As part of your spring clean, you can collect these and then donate or recycle them. This creates a great feeling of freshness and clarity.
Spring cleaning your home also gives you the chance to carry out minor repairs or change your furnishings. A new coat of paint, new plants or a different arrangement of furniture - all of these can give your home a new lease of life. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to give your living space a little makeover.
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When to start spring cleaning?
Traditionally, it starts at the beginning of spring, i.e. around the time of the spring equinox, which is around March 20.
However, there are no fixed rules as to exactly when you should start spring cleaning. Some people start in the last weeks of winter. Others wait until winter is completely over and a few warm days have already passed.
Ultimately, the best time for spring cleaning in the kitchen and other areas depends on your personal preferences, your schedule and the climatic conditions in your region. Much more important than sticking to "traditional" deadlines is to choose a time when you are motivated and feel good to thoroughly clean and freshen up your home.
What are the benefits of spring cleaning?
Spring cleaning has a number of notable benefits that have a positive impact on both your environment and your well-being. Curious to find out what they are? Then read on quickly.
Thorough cleanliness
Over the course of a year, especially during the winter months when windows are opened less often and life takes place indoors, dust and dirt accumulate. A comprehensive spring clean provides a deep clean that goes far beyond the usual weekly cleaning. This not only makes the home feel cleaner, it also looks fresher and more inviting.
Improved air quality
By ventilating properly during spring cleaning, stale and stuffy indoor air and potential pollutants are let out and replaced with fresh outdoor air. Breathe deeply again at last.
Reduction of clutter
By sorting out items you no longer need during spring cleaning, you create more space in your home. This not only has aesthetic benefits, but will also make your daily life easier, as less clutter often means you can work more efficiently and have less stress.
Mental renewal
A clean and organized environment usually also increases mental well-being. After a thorough spring clean, you will feel more energetic, productive and generally happier.
Increase your lifespan
A great side effect of spring cleaning is that by cleaning carpets, polishing furniture or cleaning household appliances, you extend their lifespan and keep them looking immaculate.
Energy and cost efficiency
There's no question that rising energy prices are putting a strain on almost every household budget. Would you have thought that spring cleaning could also be extremely helpful in this case? Blocked air vents or dirty radiators significantly reduce the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. In this case, a thorough cleaning helps all energy systems to function optimally and consume less energy, which in turn saves costs.
Increasing safety
Use spring cleaning to check your home directly for potential dangers. This could include checking electrical appliances, replacing expired fire extinguishers or disposing of old medication.
What do you need for spring cleaning?
Every spring clean should start with a detailed plan so that you know exactly what needs to be cleaned. Set yourself milestones so that you can take a step-by-step approach to spring cleaning and decide whether to clean room by room or by activity. Then get all the cleaning utensils together and you're ready to start spring cleaning. But what do you need? Let our spring cleaning checklist below inspire you.
Basic cleaning products:
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Kitchen cleaner
- Floor cleaner for various surfaces (e.g. wood, tiles, laminate)
- Special cleaner (as required):
- Carpet cleaner
- Upholstery cleaner
- Stainless steel cleaner
- Limescale and rust remover
Cleaning tools and accessories:
- Bucket
- Mop and matching attachment
- broom
- Hand brush and dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner (ideally with different attachments)
- Steam cleaner (if available)
- Cleaning cloths and sponges:
- Microfiber cloths (for various surfaces)
- Tea towels
- sponges
- Steel wool or scouring pads for stubborn dirt
- chamois leather for streak-free windows
Brushes:
- Toilet brush
- Bottle brush (for vases or narrow containers)
- Shoe brush (for doormats and the like)
Other tools:
- Rubber gloves
- Ladder or step stool (to reach higher places)
- garbage bags
- Labeling material (for marking boxes, bags, etc.)
For organization:
- Storage boxes or storage baskets for sorting and organizing
- Donation bags or boxes for things that you no longer need but are still in good condition
- Storage solutions such as shelves or organizers
Two spring cleaning tips: After cleaning, a pleasant scent can emphasize the fresh feeling in the room. Music or an audio book can help make cleaning more pleasant and motivate you to keep going. And remember to take regular breaks.
5 spring cleaning tips for keeping your home tidy
The basics are in place. But how do you make spring cleaning really efficient and effortless? That's exactly what our 5 best tips for spring cleaning will show you.
1. clean from top to bottom
When cleaning a room, always start at the top and work your way down. For example, start by dusting ceiling lights, lampshades or the tops of shelves. Then move on to the walls, furniture and finally the floor. This principle prevents dust and dirt falling from above from re-soiling areas that have already been cleaned. Especially when vacuuming or mopping the floor, you will quickly notice the advantage of this method during spring cleaning and in general, as you don't have to work twice.
2. rely on pure nature
Chemical cleaners often leave behind strong odors and residues that are not always too healthy for people and pets. Nature-based cleaners such as vinegar, baking soda or citric acid are gentle, effective and environmentally friendly. A mixture of vinegar and water can be used as a window cleaner that even leaves a streak-free finish. Baking soda is an excellent and carefully used scouring agent for kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and citric acid can dissolve limescale deposits.
3. choose the right cloth
Microfiber cloths are a must for spring cleaning. Thanks to their special structure, they can absorb dirt, grease and dust more effectively than conventional cotton cloths. They also leave no unsightly residue on glass and shiny surfaces. Microfiber cloths are also washable and reusable, making them more environmentally friendly than disposable products for spring cleaning.
4. reach for storage solutions
Practical storage systems helps you to keep your home tidy during spring cleaning and to keep it that way in the long term. Think about solutions such as Wooden storage box, drawer organizers or Stickers, labels and tags that help you to find things quickly and easily and put them back in their place. A well-organized desk with compartments and holders for pens, notepads and other utensils can also work wonders.
5. reduction and categorization
A tidy home often starts with letting go during spring cleaning. Set yourself the goal of regularly sorting out things that you no longer need. By proceeding according to categories, e.g. clothes, books or kitchen utensils, you can keep an overview. After you have sorted things out, organize the remaining items within the categories, which leads to a more harmonious living experience and a greater sense of well-being.