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The first day of Spring varies, both by region and on an annual basis, due to the pattern of the earth’s orbit around the sun. Over the centuries, it has been the subject of debate by meteorologists and astronomers, who have their own different definitions.
One thing that many societies have in common is the tradition of Spring cleaning, which has religious connotations, and while the practices and customs differ across cultures, the themes of new beginnings, preparation and purification are central to many beliefs.
Official start date of Spring
In the UK, the first day of Spring is defined by astronomers as being on 20th March, known as the vernal equinox, when the sun crosses the equator. The term comes from the Latin “aequus” and “nox”, meaning “equal” and “night”. The earth’s axis is tilted neither towards, nor away from, the sun, which is directly overhead at noon.
The days will be longer than nights from 20th March onwards until autumn. This period is celebrated across many cultures, recognising a time for new life. The equinox date may vary slightly between 19th and 21st April, as the earth's orbit around the sun isn't perfectly circular, so it doesn’t take precisely 365 days to complete.
Meteorologists take a simpler view of spring across the Northern Hemisphere, believing it begins on 1st March and lasts until 31st May. Their guidelines divide the seasons into four periods of three months each, based on average monthly temperatures.
Historians say the reason we Spring clean relates to several historic cultures including Iranian, Jewish and Chinese traditions.
Was Spring cleaning invented in Iran?
In Iran, the vernal equinox signals the start of two weeks’ celebrations marking the Persian new year, Nowruz, which dates back to around 559 BC. The people of Ancient Iran, known as Persia, celebrated Nowruz on 20th March, marking the renewal of nature. With origins in the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the term translates to "new day".
Celebrated today in countries such as Turkey, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, people traditionally clean their homes, repair broken items and decorate with flowers. Family gatherings are organised, with a table full of special foods to enjoy.
Symbols of Nowruz include candles for enlightenment, eggs for fertility and mirrors for self-reflection. Burning and planting signify renewal and recognise the optimism that Spring begins, reinvigorating lives.
Jewish faith and Passover
The solemn Passover holiday every April marks the Jews’ exodus from Egypt in around 1313 BC. When enslaved, they had only unleavened bread, known as matzah, to eat. Over the centuries, it has become a symbolic reminder of what they overcame.
During Passover, which takes place from 12th to 20th April this year; keeping leavened bread made with yeast in the home is considered an affront to Jewish culture. Consequently, it became a tradition to clean the home thoroughly to check no breadcrumbs had been overlooked. Many believe this custom is the origin of Spring cleaning.
Spring cleaning in China
A third nation, China, is also thought to have invented the practice, as the population clean their homes ready for new year, which takes place around a month later than in the UK. It is customary to sweep the floor to rid homes of any bad luck from the previous 12 months. After the house is cleaned thoroughly, the Chinese don’t sweep again for a few days after their new year (which was on 29th January 2025) to accumulate the good fortune the occasion brings.
Meaning of Spring cleaning in modern times
Spring cleaning became more widespread in Western society in the 19th century, largely due to the growth of coal powered heating in homes that led to large deposits of soot everywhere. Thoroughly cleaning houses every became essential after a long winter to clear the grime.
For many scholars, Spring cleaning is more to do with simple biology, as humans are exposed to little sunlight during winter due to shorter, gloomy days, so the body’s pineal gland produces more melatonin hormones, making us feel sleepy. As the days grow longer and sunnier, the body produces less melatonin and people have more energy: Spring cleaning begins simply because we’re walking up from winter’s melatonin-induced lethargy.
Decluttering your living space
Decluttering is therapeutic, as research shows being surrounded by unnecessary clutter can be overwhelming, causing feelings of anxiety, while a tidy room creates a calm environment.
Ensure you have enough home storage boxes for items you want to keep, but don’t require at present - a good place to start is your wardrobe! Remove any clothes you’re not likely to need for a while: pack away winter clothes until they’re needed again in a plastic container with a lid that will fit on top of the wardrobe, or in the spare room.
For smaller items such as jewellery, cosmetics, electronic devices, shoes, belts, paperwork etc; whether at home or work, modern innovations such as clear plastic storage boxes with an air control system will keep them safe. The lid will protect the contents from dust, dirt and air, while offering adequate ventilation to prevent a build-up of moisture. The boxes can be stored safely under the bed or in the loft, cellar and shed.
Increase your storage space at home or work at a nominal cost by investing in a robust tower storage unit with clear plastic drawers and removable castors, enabling you to see the contents. Ideal for storing paperwork, archive materials, tools, small toys, clothing and more, it can be moved around with ease using the ergonomic handles.
Outdoor jobs
Spring is the best time to complete jobs in the garden. If you’re looking for durable, heavy-duty storage for small hand tools, bulbs, plant feeds, yarn etc, while saving money and supporting the environment, our 25-litre 400mm x 300mm recycled attached lid container fits the bill. Stackable when full, and nestable when empty, it’s a great space saving choice.
Finally, don’t forget to clean the windows, inside and out, to let in the sunlight!
To achieve a streak-free finish, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bucket and pour it into a spray bottle, with a few drops of dish soap to cut through grime and grease. Use dry microfibre cloths to remove dirt and dust and achieve a high shine.