Winter Cleaning Vs. Spring Cleaning

For years we have heard of the homemaking tradition of “Spring Cleaning”. While many of us may think of this as a time to scrub, purge, and air out our home, Spring Cleaning likely has deeper roots in ancient traditions and practical needs. 

In the early days of civilizations, many homes were heated with wood and coal fires, leaving a buildup of soot and dust. When the weather warmed with the coming of Spring, it became an ideal time to air out the home and clean up the accumulated dirt.  

Over time, spring cleaning evolved into a broader cultural practice, symbolizing clearing away the old to make space for the new - both physically and mentally. Today, it’s a common tradition in many parts of the world, often seen as a way to reset and refresh one’s living environment after the long, closed-off winter months.

Personally, I love the idea of a fresh clean start, throwing open all the doors and windows of our home to bring in fresh, clean air while scrubbing the house top-to-bottom and purging unwanted items.  

However, there are a couple of challenges here. After a long, cold Pacific Northwest winter, the last place I want to be when the warm sun finally shines is inside. Not only that, but with four active children, our Spring calendar is FULL of baseball tournaments, dance recitals, track meets and more!

So here’s the plan that my family follows. It works well for us, and maybe it will work well for you as well!

During the dark, dreary months of winter, we work our way through A Bowl Full of Lemons Home Organization Challenge. For the last 14 years, Toni has expertly guided her blog followers through a step-by-step system that leaves them with a freshly organized home. Every year she provides a free, printable “kit” that effortlessly guides you through the process, thus reducing the mental load of such a project. We deep clean as we work our way through our home, involving everyone, even our youngest. These are important life skills and habits that I want my kids to know well! It is important to note that Toni does start the challenge on a certain date, but you can easily start whenever you’d like. The first year you do this, it can be quite the undertaking. The following years are much easier though! 

When Spring does roll around, we use this time to complete deep cleaning tasks that are more weather appropriate, such as washing the windows, cleaning the grill, and tidying and cleaning our outdoor living and storage spaces. I also air the house out whenever I am at home. 

We are a busy family, and this plan never rolls out perfectly. That’s why I believe in giving yourself grace,  and taking pride in whatever progress you make. 

Happy Cleaning Everyone!