​Spring cleaning has been traced all the way back to 3000 years b.c. when it was an integral part of traditions to do with renewal. There are several cleaning traditions around this time of year that can traced back to different countries and cultures all around the world.

Traces of this cleaning ritual can be observed in the Iranian Festival of Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year. This festivity begins on the first day of spring (March 21st). To prepare for Norouz, the Iranian population practices "khooneh tekouni", which translates as “shaking the house”. This ritual includes thorough cleaning of all rooms and surfaces in the household and is believed to be the predecessor of modern spring cleaning. 

​For some, this rigorous form of cleaning originated from an ancient Jewish custom that involved a thorough cleaning of the house. This was done in order to prepare for Passover – a springtime feast generally held at the beginning of April. For the duration of this holiday, it is strictly forbidden to eat any sort of leavened food, “chametz” crumbs included. Spring cleaning is therefore done to eliminate all traces of this food from the home. 

 ​Ninyabaat is a holiday that the Chinese celebrate just before the Chinese New Year arrives. Usually, the festivities take the country by storm on the 28th day of the 12th month of the Lunar calendar.
The point of this festivity is to cleanse the Chinese home from any bad luck or misfortune. It also involves throwing rubbish and broken household items away. Sweeping, however, is strictly forbidden as you may accidentally “sweep away” your good fortune. When everything is sparkling clean, the Chinese hang paper couplets that are said to attract fortune and good luck.

So we've decluttered and dusted and we've washed, wiped, and waved goodbye to our surplus stuff during National Spring Cleaning Week. If you’re now eager to see how you can keep your home clean and tidy, then take a look at APDO member Chrissy Halton of Innerspace ID's 3 favourite tips to help you see long lasting results after your deep clean. After all – you’ve put in all the hard work to really tackle your home from start to finish, it would be a shame to waste your efforts by not making it last as long as possible. Let's get going, shall we....
 

​So you've heard it's National Spring Cleaning Week this week and somehow it’s Friday already. If you haven’t lifted your little finger (let alone an entire marigold glove) to start your spring clean, then APDO member Jules Langford (Clutter to Cleared) gives us a light-hearted look at making the task more palatable this weekend. It's a real sweet treat! Tuck in!
 
Jules is based in Croydon but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.

​So you've been working your way through the house this week for National Spring Cleaning Week but have you remembered everything? APDO member Mona Kay (The Organising Ninja) gives us a quick reminder on some of the most easily overlooked parts in our homes and how to tackle them most effectively. Watch out! She leaves no stone unturned!
 
Mona is based in Nottingham covering the East Midlands but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.

Your desk and paperwork may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of spring cleaning.  But spring cleaning and maintaining your desk space in both your home and workplace can help reduce stress and make you more productive.  For National Spring
Cleaning Week APDO member Ceri Wall of Midlands-based Organised Life has put together her top tips to help you conquer paper, update your filing system and much more.

Ceri is based in Birmingham but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.

APDO members understand that letting a professional organiser into your home to help you get organised can sometimes be a daunting prospect. Hear a client’s perspective on a decluttering session with APDO member Helen Sanderson (Creating Calm from Clutter) in this funny and moving blog poem  about Bec's decluttering experience.

Helen is based in North London but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home so there's no better place to kick-start National Spring Cleaning Week. Brace yourself for APDO member Doreen Uzice's motivating tips and downright terrifying statistics to get your running for your disinfectant this National Spring Cleaning Week!
 
Doreen is based in East London but you can find APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers throughout the UK using the Find An Organiser search tool.
  
Read  Doreen Uzice's full article by clicking the button below:​​
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National Spring Cleaning Week have joined forces with APDO Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers for the first time this March. Their members are the UK's experts in decluttering and organising your spaces to create a more functional and uplifting environment.
Here APDO President, Ingrid Jansen, Organise Your House tells us about the difference between cleaning, spring cleaning, decluttering and organising as we prepare for National Spring Cleaning Week on Monday. See the article here.