from the publishers of: Verywell, Real Simple, EatingWell, Shape, Parents, Health and Allrecipes
Now that spring is here, we’re ready to clear out the winter cobwebs and let in fresh air—that is, do our spring cleaning. Many of us believe this time of renewal is the perfect moment to deep clean dust and grime and declutter our homes. But just where did the spring-cleaning tradition come from, and is there a right time to do it? We’ll explain the best time to spring clean and more.
The concept of spring cleaning exists in many cultures and dates back to ancient times. Deep cleaning is traditional during the Persian New Year, Nowruz, which coincides with the spring equinox. During Nowruz, “shaking the dust” renews the home and invites prosperity in the new year. Water and cleansing are a big part of the Thai New Year, Songkran, in mid-April. Families often deep-clean homes to purify them during this time. During Passover, Jewish families deep-clean their kitchens and other parts of the home to remove every crumb of chametz, or leavened bread, in commemoration of their liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Let’s admit it: We feel lethargic in winter and would rather just curl up with a good book. But when the days get longer, and the grass starts to green, something inside us wakes up. Outdoor temperatures make this the most pleasant time of year for hauling out trash and washing windows—it’s not too cold and not too hot. Spring is a natural time to tackle big projects and renew your home.
If you don’t have a cultural tradition to follow, the spring equinox (March 20 or 21) is a good time to start spring cleaning. You can also align your spring cleaning with National Cleaning Week. Designated by the cleaning industry, National Cleaning Week begins on the fourth Sunday in March.
No matter which date you choose, we always say better late than never. Most likely, you’ll want to break up your deep cleaning into multiple indoor and outdoor projects and spread these out over time. Some projects are best scheduled according to weather conditions and more, as we discuss below.
Pollen gets very thick in spring and leaves a dirty film on your windows and home exterior. Wait until the worst of pollen season is over to wash windows and pressure wash siding. This job is usually best left for late spring, along with cleaning screened porches.
Also, thanks to pollen, you’ll want to change filters at least once in spring. Early spring is also a good time to take care of annual HVAC maintenance before the weather heats up and the air conditioner is continuously running. Clear debris and weeds from around outdoor units and clean the coils. Indoors, clean registers and ducts if they are dusty.
Reorganizing these outdoor spaces is a very weather-sensitive task. Plan to take on this job on a warm, dry day in early spring so you can set all your possessions outside while you organize. Don’t wait for the weather to grow uncomfortably hot.
During the spring shoulder season, many homeowners like to run ceiling fans instead of their air conditioning. Go ahead and dust ceiling fans in early spring before you need to use them. While you’re up on the step ladder, make sure to reverse the fan’s direction for summer.
The best date for cleaning closets will vary based on when winter weather comes to a close. Put your winter clothes into storage as soon as frosty nights have passed. While you’re at it, set aside clothes you no longer wear to donate and make more room for your spring wardrobe.