Spring Cleaning: Why Do We Clean in the Spring?
Spring Cleaning Part 1: Why Do We Spring Clean?
The flowers are blooming, and the birds are serenading, but the house still feels like it's stuck with winter blues. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes.
Whether we decide to take part in this need to intensely clean or not is a whole other question. But why do we call it Spring Cleaning? Why isn't it Winter or Fall cleaning?
Today, we look at Spring Cleaning as a time to pull out our deep clean to-do list and give our home a thorough refresh. Our goal is to eliminate all the accumulated dirt, dust, and clutter from the past year. For many, it's something we feel compelled to do, a ritual of sorts - but why? Many don't realize that Spring Cleaning has strong cultural, religious, historical, and biological connections.
Passover
In Jewish custom, Passover is a time of house cleaning as well. The Jewish tradition of Passover (Pesach) is a holiday that marks the exodus of Jews from Egypt. The Book of Exodus states that the Israelites had to flee Egypt, and in their hurry to leave, did not have time for their bread to rise, so they survived off unleavened bread during their escape. During Passover, which takes place in the spring, the Torah says that to remember the liberation of the Israelites, you must not have any traces of leavened bread in the home. For Jews to follow their beliefs, it would have required much cleaning to remove any traces of unleavened bread in the house.
Nowruz
In Iranian culture, they celebrate the Persian New Year called Nowruz, which takes place on the first day of spring. Leading up to the celebration of Nowruz, there is a tradition called "shaking the house" (Khaneh Tekani), during which time families help to clean their homes and ridding of all the "old year," which then makes space for the new blessings of the year to come.
Historical Britain
During the Victorian times, homes were heated by fires, and doors were kept shut to keep the warm air in. During the winter months, the burning of coal and oil left a sooty layer on the windows, walls, and furniture. When the weather warmed up in the spring, women could be seen beating carpets outside to get rid of the dust and grime, cleaning the windows, and brushing the soot off furniture.
Biological
However, Spring Cleaning may have more to do with simple biology. We are exposed to less sunlight during the winter due to shorter, often dreary days. With a lack of exposure to light, the pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that creates sleepiness in humans. When we're exposed to sunlight, our bodies produce much less melatonin. Therefore, we may Spring Clean because we have finally woken from a long, melatonin-induced winter stupor. As the days grow longer, we find more energy and are filled with more sunlight as spring arrives.
The wellbeing experienced from Spring Cleaning gives many an increased vigor and the ability to move freely through each day, feeling more vibrant and empowered in every area of life.
It's time to do your Spring Cleaning!
Jenny