Uncovering the dirt on annual spring cleaning
Our homes may no longer be covered in soot created from wood fires or coal stoves that necessitated spring cleaning after long cold winters in years gone by, but the practice of cleaning a home's nooks and crannies remains an annual rite of passage for many.
In fact, 59 per cent of Canadians engage in spring cleaning every year, according to a recent Ipsos survey commissioned by Libman, a business that manufactures household cleaning tools.
“Spring cleaning is traditionally a time when Canadians tackle the larger tasks around the house that we don't typically get to on a regular basis — it's that quintessential fresh start so many of us are yearning for right now,” says Greg Allen, Libman's Canadian director of sales. “Interestingly enough, in this survey we found that spring cleaning conjures up the full gamut of emotions — both positive (69 per cent) and negative (50 per cent), for those who engage in it.”
Nor surprisingly, spring cleaning has taken on new meaning for many households since the onset of the pandemic. One of four admit they're cleaning more vigorously compared to pre-pandemic times. Being home more often and concerns related to the COVID -19 virus entering the home top the list of reasons for spring cleaning more vigorously.
CLEAN HOME, CLEAR MIND
Virtually all Canadians who engage in spring cleaning feel a strong sense of accomplishment after the annual endeavour has been completed. Nearly two in five admit spring cleaning makes them feel comfortable, three in 10 feel confident, one in four feel inspired and one in five are eager to begin.
Conversely, one quarter admit that spring cleaning overwhelms them, 20 per cent are stressed by the mere thought of it and 17 per cent are anxious. Ninety-two per cent of those surveyed feel more relaxed when they have a clean home. Ninety per cent believe having a clean home is important for mental health with their physical health right behind at 89 per cent.
But not all spring-cleaning chores are created equal. The least favourite task is washing windows inside and out, followed by thoroughly cleaning the bathroom and then scrubbing large kitchen appliances inside and out.