Ah, Springtime! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blossoming––so why do our homes still feel like they’re stuck with the winter blues? Spring cleaning is the age-old tradition of freshening up our homes. 

Have you ever wondered how exactly this housekeeping practice has become an annual tradition? Well, a 2000 Smithsonian exhibit on the history of house cleaning included this diary entry from a housewife in 1864:"Swept and dusted sitting-room & kitchen 350 times. Filled lamps 362 times. Swept and dusted chamber & stairs 40 times." Records of housekeeping practices like these have shed light for historians on why the most extensive house cleaning of the year traditionally happens in springtime. Long story short, before the advent of electricity and modern heating systems, homes were lit with whale oil or kerosene and heated with wood or coal, and as a result, the cold winter months left a thick layer of soot and grime on surfaces in every room. When springtime finally arrived, the women of the household would throw open the windows and doors to allow in the fresh spring air. Next, they would take the furniture, bedding, and rugs outside to beat the dust and soot out with a broom, and begin scrubbing the walls, floors, and windows until everything was fresh and clean. 

Today, many people carry on the tradition of spring cleaning to declutter and remove the dust, grime, and allergens that have built up inside during the colder winter months. While we no longer have to beat the dust out of our bedding or scrub coal soot off the walls (thank goodness!), spring cleaning can still feel like a daunting task––but it doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are five tips to get your annual spring cleaning marathon started: 

Tip # 1: Gather Your Supplies 

This first tip is nearly effortless and will set you up for spring cleaning success: Opt for a good multi-purpose cleaner, dust-busting allergen neutralizer, and microfiber cloths. These supplies will cover most surfaces in your home and make spring cleaning an absolute breeze. 

Tip # 2: Organize & Declutter 

Picture-perfect homes result from decluttering as much as anything else, and spring is the ideal time to tackle this task. But for more than just aesthetic reasons, decluttering will make your home easier to clean. Not to mention, allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold lurk in clutter, which can trigger allergic reactions, decrease air quality, and increase potential asthma flares. Thankfully, the decluttering process needn’t be extreme or painful.

Start the process by setting aside a fixed amount of time – say, two hours – and declutter one area or room in your home. Rather than trying to tackle it all at once, start by taking everything out of drawers, off shelves, and surfaces. Then, give drawers, shelves, and surfaces a quick pass with the vacuum and clean with your microfiber cloth and Anti-Allergen Solution to remove dust and eliminate allergens. Finally, start putting back your items, keeping only things you truly value. Display the objects that make you happy or hold the most value. Put the rest of the items in one of four piles: organize, store, donate, or discard. You’ve got this! 

Tip # 3: Invest in Smart Cleaning Gadgets 

Springing for (pun intended) whatever newfangled piece of cleaning technology that’s taking over your social media feed can feel like a bit of a hoax, but there are particular gadgets worth the splurge, especially if you’re looking for ways to make cleaning easier. Enter a robotic vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA (or High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums differ from conventional vacuums in that they contain filters that are capable of trapping tiny, micron-sized particles, which is beneficial for those with allergies and asthma. Many robotic vacuums out there boast HEPA filters, plus other perks like voice control and auto-empty capabilities. 

Tip #4: Clean Your Indoor Air 

Spring is the ideal time to do an air quality check in your home. First, be sure to change your HVAC filter at least every season. A clean HVAC filter will help ensure you’re breathing cleaner air at home. Plus, staying on top of this crucial maintenance will help protect your HVAC system and keep you from spending extra money on repairs. Investing in a HEPA air purifier can also help to improve your indoor air quality. 

Tip #5: Make A Cleaning Playlist

Maintaining momentum while you’re in the middle of spring cleaning is no small feat. Of course, having the right products and gadgets can help, but there’s one spring cleaning tip that can help make dusting behind the furniture, scrubbing the toilet, folding fitted sheets, and degreasing the stove hood seem not only doable but maybe even (dare we say it?) fun. Yep, it’s all about the cleaning playlist. Dance the dust away with some of our favorite tunes: 

• “Dirty Laundry” - Don Henley 
• “Another One Bites The Dust” - Queen 
• "Taking Care of Business" - Bachman-Turner Overdrive
• “Tubthumping” - Chumbawamba 
• “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” - Eminem 
• "Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap)" - AC/DC
• “No Scrubs” - TLC 
• “Washing Dishes” - Jack Johnson 
• "I Can See Clearly Now" - Johnny Nash
• “So Fresh, So Clean” - OutKast