Nick Youngson
Spring cleaning is a tradition that dates back many years.
Spring is here and brings with it a common theme: spring cleaning. According to Oxford Languages, the definition of this noun is “a thorough cleaning of a house or room, typically undertaken in spring.” Although spring cleaning can feel like another chore, the benefits date back thousands of years.
The tradition dates back thousands of years in the past, beginning in cultural and religious practices. In what was then Persia, people would start their year by cleaning their spaces during Nowruz: the Persian New Year. Jewish practices of cleaning during Passover have also been documented throughout history.
Spring cleaning today is a common act seen in media and people’s daily lives. Some students at the University of North Georgia feel that this event is a necessity.
Carolyn Hlen, a UNG freshman majoring in Spanish and French, annually participates in spring cleaning.
“Spring cleaning is a must for my household. Something I really prioritize for myself is having a clean and neat work and living environment,” Hlen said.
“I section off my cleaning tasks based on different rooms of the house but I mainly repeat the same steps.” Hlen believes in curating a list in order to get every minor detail done.
The general list includes detailing the bathroom, wiping down the kitchen, cleaning the living room. Hlen also sweeps and mops each room in her house.
“The entire concept of “spring” is tied with rebirth and new beginnings, so I don’t like bringing in the mess of last season into the new one, both tangible messes and the mental clutter.” – Carolyn Hlen, UNG freshman
According to a 2024 survey conducted by Wakefield Research, 70% of Americans felt a sense of accomplishment while having a clean home. Mood increased by 66%, productivity by 63% and stress and anxiety were found to decrease by 60%.
“A lot of students don’t realize how far a clean environment can go for their state of mind,” Hlen says, “even if it’s not such a blatantly noticeable change. It’s like finally fixing that annoying hum in kitchen appliances or when you turn a really loud fan off or take off a super itchy sweater and you can breathe again and finally hear yourself think.”