Spring Cleaning: Much More Than Just Housework

The sun is returning, the days are getting longer, and that little voice in your head is telling you it's time to tackle that famous "spring clean". You know, the one you've been putting off for... a few weeks? A few months?

You might think it's just another chore. But in reality, spring cleaning is much more than that. Scientific studies show that it has measurable effects on your mental and physical health. And that's worth paying attention to.

Why Do We Feel So Good After a Deep Clean?

It's not just an impression. When you look at your clean and tidy home, your brain releases endorphins. You know, those feel-good hormones that we also produce when exercising.

Clutter Exhausts Your Brain

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience used MRI scans to observe the brain's reaction to clutter. Result: in the presence of mess, our information processing capacity is considerably reduced.

In plain English: visual clutter creates permanent "cognitive noise". Your brain has to constantly filter out this parasitic information. It's exhausting, even if you don't realise it.

20 Minutes of Cleaning = 20% Less Stress

According to several studies compiled by PassionSanté, twenty minutes of household chores can reduce stress and anxiety by 20%. That's not negligible.

Better still: a 2014 study showed that people who wash dishes mindfully (focusing on their sensations) see their nervousness drop by 27% and their "mental inspiration" increase by 25%. Cleaning as meditation, who would have thought?

The Link Between a Clean Home and Healthy Eating

A University of Minnesota study (2013) revealed something surprising: people living in a clean and tidy space choose more healthy foods than those living in disorder.

As if tidying up your home pushes you to tidy up your life. Diet, exercise routine, sleep quality... everything seems to follow.

In Spring, Your Home Really Needs It

Beyond psychological wellbeing, spring is when your home has accumulated the most dirt. After months of heating and closed windows, it's time to take stock.

Winter Has Left Its Mark

During the cold months, your home has stored:

• Large amounts of dust: less ventilation = more accumulation
• Moisture: condensation on windows, mould in corners
• Indoor pollutants: VOCs, CO2, heating particles
• Dust mites: they love the warmth and humidity of our winter interiors

Dust Mites: The Invisible Problem

Let's talk about them. According to medical data, 60% of respiratory allergies (rhinitis, asthma) are linked to dust mites. In Europe, 20 to 25% of the population is affected by allergies, and dust mites are often the main cause.

The worst part? Untreated allergic rhinitis can develop into asthma in 70% of cases. That's serious.

And guess when dust mites begin their major breeding season? In spring, when warmth and humidity return. The big clean therefore falls at exactly the right time to cut them off at the pass.

Where to Start? The Method That Works

The big spring clean can seem overwhelming. But with a good method, it becomes manageable. And even satisfying.

Step 1: Declutter First

Before cleaning, sort. Seriously. No point dusting objects that you're going to throw away.

• Go through wardrobes: what you haven't worn for a year, donate it
• Sort papers: bills, mail, documents... 90% can go
• Empty "junk" drawers: you know, the ones where you put things "for now"
• Kitchen: check expiry dates, throw out the 2019 spices

This sorting is already half the work. And psychologically, it's liberating.

Step 2: The Golden Rule - Top to Bottom

Physics is your friend: dust falls. So start from the ceiling and finish with the floor. Otherwise, you dirty what you've just cleaned.

1. Ceilings and light fixtures: dusting, cobwebs
2. Walls: fingerprints, splashes, washing if needed
3. Windows: glass, frames, sills (inside AND outside)
4. Furniture: top, underneath, behind (yes, behind too)
5. Floors: thorough vacuuming, then appropriate mopping

Step 3: The Areas We Always Forget

A real spring clean means going where you never go the rest of the year:

• Behind the fridge and washing machine: a nest for dust and dirt
• Skirting boards: we don't see them, but they accumulate everything
• Light switches and door handles: touched 50 times a day, cleaned... never?
• Ventilation grilles: blocked = poor air quality
• The mattress: vacuuming, airing, turning
• Curtains: washing or dry cleaning, depending on fabric
• Inside cupboards: empty, clean, reorganise

Room by Room: What Not to Miss

The Kitchen: The Most Demanding Room

This is where grease accumulates, crumbs hide, and odours linger.

• The oven: interior, racks, glass. Time to use pyrolysis or a good degreaser
• The extractor hood: the filters are probably saturated. Clean or replace
• The fridge: empty everything, defrost if needed, clean every compartment
• Cupboards: take everything out, clean inside, sort as you put back
• Appliances: descale kettle, coffee machine, dishwasher
• Under and behind furniture: vacuum where you never look

The Bathroom: War on Limescale

The number one enemy here is limescale. And in Luxembourg, the water is quite hard.

• Taps and shower head: complete descaling
• Tile grout: anti-mould cleaning if necessary
• Shower screen: limescale builds up, be thorough
• Toilet: under the bowl, behind, everywhere
• Mirrors and shelves: toothpaste marks, dust
• Ventilation: ventilation grille often forgotten and clogged

Bedrooms: Think About Allergens

This is where we spend 7-8 hours a night. Air quality is crucial.

• Mattress: vacuuming (especially if you're allergic), turning
• Pillows and duvets: machine wash or dry cleaning
• Wardrobes: empty, air out, clean, sort clothes
• Under the bed: vacuum, it's a dust bunny refuge
• Curtains: they capture a lot of dust and allergens

The Living Room: The Heart of the Home

• Sofas: vacuuming cushions, cleaning fabric or leather
• Rugs and carpets: deep vacuuming, shampooing if needed
• Electronics: TV, router, consoles... dust and heat don't mix
• Shelves and ornaments: each item, one by one
• Radiators: dust burns and pollutes the air when heating is on

Products: Go Natural

You don't need a chemical arsenal for a good clean. Simple products are often the most effective, and they don't pollute your indoor air (which would be ironic for a spring clean meant to purify).

• White vinegar: descaler, disinfectant, economical
• Bicarbonate of soda: degreaser, deodoriser, mildly abrasive
• Black soap: multi-surface, natural degreaser
• Lemon: antiseptic, leaves a fresh smell
• Soda crystals: for tough jobs (oven, extractor hood)

These products cost a few pounds and replace dozens of specialised sprays.

How Long Does It Actually Take?

Let's be honest. A real spring clean doesn't get done in an hour.

• Studio / 1-bed flat: 4 to 6 hours
• 2-3 bed flat: 1 to 2 full days
• House: 2 to 4 days

And that's when you know what you're doing. For someone not used to it, allow roughly double that.

Hence the appeal of two options:

1. Spread it over several weekends: one room per week is less daunting
2. Call in professionals: it's done in a few hours, and done properly

Why Call in a Professional?

Let's not kid ourselves: spring cleaning is hard work. And after a busy winter, we don't always have the energy to get stuck in.

Calling in a team like Fast Clean means:

• Time freed up: while we clean, you do something else (or nothing, that's fine too)
• Professional equipment: industrial vacuums, steam cleaners, appropriate products
• A proven method: we know where to go, what to do, in what order
• A guaranteed result: we know forgotten areas inside out

And frankly? Enjoying the first sunny days rather than spending your weekend scrubbing is priceless.

Spring Is Now

Whether you decide to do it yourself or delegate, the important thing is to do it. Your home needs it after winter. So does your health. And your mood will only benefit.

20% less stress, better concentration, fewer allergens, better quality sleep... For a weekend of cleaning (or a few hours of professional help), that's a good return on investment.