Spring is at long last in the air. As we gear up for warmer days, Easter and (fingers crossed) some sunshine, it’s also time for the annual spring clean. It’s a tradition that takes place in homes across the world, as we freshen up for the spring and summer.
In Iran, spring cleaning takes place in the form of khane-tekani, which translates to "shaking down the house", while Thailand’s Songkran festival sees participants mentally and physically dust off the past year, throwing out anything new and tidying up homes, schools and workspaces. The task of spring cleaning can seem overwhelming at first, maybe even so much so that you end up putting it off until, well, the season’s passed. The good news is that with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming.
Make a plan
Remember: you don’t have to do your whole spring clean at once. There’s no rule book here - what’s important is finding a method that works for you and your household. If you’re short on time, plan to break down your spring clean into bite-sized chunks, and tick off your list over the course of a week.
If you’re hosting a big family party at home in April, for example, there’s no point scrubbing every inch of your house if you’ll have to do it all over again once the party’s done. Think ahead and make a plan that works for you. Pop your starting date in your calendar well in advance, and work out what needs to happen before your spring cleaning can take place. Do you need to hire any specialist equipment like a carpet cleaner? If you’ve got outdoor space, is there any garden-specific spring cleaning you want to do? Work out your logistics in advance, and you’ll feel far better prepared once the spring cleaning gets underway.
Stock up on supplies
In order to properly clean your home from tip to toe, you’ll need to have the right supplies to hand. At Colt & Willow, we’re (unsurprisingly) fans of all-natural cleaning products that do the trick and happen to look great on the shelf. Here’s what we’d recommend you stock up on:
All-purpose cleaner
First up, you’re going to need an all-purpose cleaner. It does what it says on the tin, and is a handy ally whether you’re facing sticky kitchen surfaces, door handles, highchairs or stoves. Top tip: opt for cleaning products containing essential oils like geranium, to leave your home smelling as good as it looks.
Bathroom cleaner
Bathrooms contain a wide range of different surfaces, from your tiles to your shower screen, and your plug to your toilet. Make sure you’re well stocked up with a cleaner that can tackle all of these different surfaces - steering away from harsh chemicals that risk damaging your home.
Washing-up liquid
Is it just us, or are there always more dishes to be washed every time you step foot in the kitchen? Sadly, this isn’t a once-a-year spring cleaning job, but something you’ll likely have to do more or less every day. Make doing the dishes a little more enjoyable by treating yourself to a scented, all-natural washing up liquid. We’re not biased or anything, but we really love our Rhubarb-scented product that leaves your dishes so clean, you’ll want to eat off them…
Sponges, dusters, and all those fun bits and bobs
There’s nothing like getting in the mood to scrub your house down, only to find out you’re out of sponges. Make sure you’re prepared by taking stock of what you’re missing well in advance. Grab enough dusters, washable eco-friendly cloths and scourers, and check that your dustpan and brush, hoover and mop are ready to go.
Declutter
Well done - the planning’s nearly over, and you’re almost ready to get down to business. One of the final steps before grabbing the sponges and cleaning sprays is to declutter your home. There’s no point spending hours cleaning drawers and shelves that will be filled with random bits and pieces a day later. Put the work in now, and donate or bin everything that you don’t need. Be harsh here - do you really need 14 promotional mugs/ scrunchies/ pens? If you’ve got children, encourage them to get in on the action by choosing which of their toys they’d like to donate to charity. It’s worth the upfront effort: once you’ve finished your spring cleaning, you’ll notice how much more orderly your space feels. Decluttering is good for your mental health, helps you keep your home tidy going forwards, and if you’ve got good quality items to give away, other people will benefit, too. Win, win!
Make it fun
Spring cleaning your home shouldn’t be too painful - after all, you’ll end up with a beautifully clean space that you love spending time in. If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed at the mammoth task in front of you, remember how great you’ll feel when you’re finished. There are lots of ways to make it fun, too. Don’t believe us? Okay, spring cleaning isn’t going to be as luxurious as a day at the spa, but pop on a podcast, get your family involved, or bribe yourself with little treats throughout the day, and you’ll find it isn’t quite that bad after all.
Looking for more tips and tricks to help with your spring clean? Check out our Knowledge Base here, where we share our best hacks for keeping your home clean, safe and inviting.
