Why you should never Spring Clean your Home
Many people embark on a thorough 'spring clean' of their homes, scrubbing every surface and vacuuming up every speck of dust. Then, as the warm weather arrives, they open all the windows, allowing dust and insects back in! Instead, it might be wiser to do an ‘Autumn clean’ when you have your windows closed for the Autumn and Winter which will maintain a cleaner home.
The Urge to Spring Clean
All over the world, people like to undertake a deep clean of their homes, cleaning those hard-to-reach filthy spots.
During the cold, dark winter months, motivation to clean often wanes. So when spring arrives, motivated by the warmer weather and longer days, they have the energy and enthusiasm to clean and refresh their homes.
Historically, Spring Cleaning traces its origins to a time when homes were heated by open coal and wood fires, and cooking was done on stoves. By the end of winter, homes accumulated hazardous soot particles that covered surfaces and filled the air. As a result, people eagerly opened their windows to let in fresh air while thoroughly cleaning their houses from top to bottom.
Why Should You Clean Your Home?
Cleaning isn't just about dust; there is a common misconception that dust primarily consists of human skin. In reality, about 70% of the dust in our homes comes from the outside world. This dust enters our homes via shoes, clothes, windows, and doors. The remainder is mostly made up of carpet fluff, pet hair, and fibres from our clothing. Yes, some dust particles do come from dead skin cells.
In case you're interested, our skin is designed to shed and replace itself throughout our lives. We continuously produce millions of skin cells, shedding a new layer approximately every 27 days. So, if you happen to skip a shower for a month, don’t worry; you will still end up with fresh skin!
While most of us keep our homes relatively clean through regular dusting and vacuuming. However, we don’t have the time or inclination to move and clean behind all the furniture. So, a deep clean periodically is a good idea at any time of year.
Consider an ‘Autumn Clean’
You may have noticed that during spring and summer, your window sills attract more dust and insects because of the open windows. Consequently, your home collects the most dirt and dust by the end of summer. As the heat fades and you close your windows for autumn and winter, consider giving your home a thorough clean at that time; it will help keep your space cleaner for much longer.
This is where maintaining a minimalist or tidy household becomes beneficial, as cleaning a neat space is much quicker and easier.
However, don’t spend days and days cleaning, we Midlifers have a life to live. Everything doesn’t need to be absolutely spotless.