Every year, with the first warmth, something triggers within us: an ancestral impulse to renew, empty, let in new air. Spring cleaning isn’t just a tradition, it’s almost a ritual of passage. And the good news is that in 2025 we are talking more and more about “slow cleaning”: a conscious, sustainable and — finally — guilt-free approach. No racing against time, no aggressive products, no Instagram perfection. Just a healthier, lighter and more your home.
Here are the most useful tips to make spring cleaning less tiring and more satisfying.
Have a timetable (but be flexible)
If you’ve decided to dedicate a weekend to a big clean, start with a plan. Write a list of rooms and areas to tackle, give each a realistic time, and stick to it. The latest trends in home productivity suggest using the “time blocking” technique: blocks of 25-45 minutes of work followed by a break. Your spring cleaning will be much quicker — and you’ll be much less exhausted at the end of the day.
One room at a time (really)
Organize yourself to proceed with major cleaning one room at a time, or one area of the room at a time, to avoid leaving jobs half done. The satisfaction of seeing a space already clean and tidy is a powerful motivator: environmental psychology experts confirm that tidy environments reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. In short, cleaning is literally good for your mood.
Decluttering: first you free yourself, then you clean
Before starting the actual cleaning, think about tidying up. Once you’ve eliminated unnecessary items, you’ll finally have space — physical and mental — to do some deep cleaning. The trend of “mindful decluttering”, an evolution of the KonMari method, invites us to ask ourselves not only “does it make me happy?” but also “does it still have meaning in my life today?”. Proceed one room at a time, or one wardrobe at a time, and decide what to give as a gift, donate to charity or send for recycling.
The 4 box method (always current)
Before you get to work, get four boxes into which to divide: objects to keep, objects to sell (second hand apps are now very simple to use), objects to barter or give away, recyclable packaging to be sent for separate waste collection. It will be much easier to orient yourself between what is worth keeping and what only takes up space.
Dust before cleaning floors
After tidying up, dust before vacuuming and before mopping the floors. It seems obvious, but it’s one of those mistakes that are still often made. Start from top to bottom: ceilings, chandeliers, shelves, furniture. Only at the end do you think about the floors. For dusting, a slightly dampened microfibre cloth is still unbeatable: it captures dust instead of moving it.
Cleaning in company (or with the right playlist)
Involve roommates or the whole family: each with their own task, perhaps assigning a specific room or area to each. If you are alone, research confirms that listening to rhythmic music while cleaning increases energy and reduces the perception of fatigue. Create your own “spring cleaning” playlist and turn chores into something almost meditative.
DIY multipurpose products (and zero waste)
To optimize time, save money and reduce your environmental impact, prepare your own DIY multipurpose cleaners at home from simple ingredients such as baking soda, citric acid and natural soap. In 2025 this practice is increasingly widespread, also thanks to the growing attention to endocrine disruptors present in many commercial products. Cleaning well doesn’t mean cleaning with the most aggressive chemistry on the market.
Start with the most difficult points
Always start with the most challenging spots — the bottom of cabinets, behind large appliances, bathroom grout — so that the rest goes downhill. When vacuuming or sweeping the floor, start in the far corner and work your way slowly and methodically towards the exit. No fingerprints, no duplicates. Simple but effective.
Lost objects: create a “mystery drawer”
During cleaning and tidying up you will almost certainly find objects that you thought were lost forever. Instead of leaving them lying around, collect game pieces, screws, buttons, mysterious chargers in one container. Label it whatever you want — “mystery drawer” works great — and when you need it you’ll know exactly where to look.
Don’t forget about maintenance
Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean dusting and tidying up: it’s also the right time to dedicate yourself to small maintenance jobs. Check the hood filters, clean the back of the refrigerator, check the bathroom seals and silicones, take a look at the plants on the balcony. Dedicate, if you can, a day to actual cleaning and a second (or half day) to small repairs. A house that is not only clean, but also 100% functional, is a completely different story.
When everything is in its place, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful spring days with that lightness that only a truly tidy home can offer.
