Spring Cleaning
A few habits, tools, and obsessions that return with the season.
I have a profound connection to the concept of spring cleaning, I relate to it deeply. Spring hits and I feel the urge to tidy up my house, release from my closet, get rid of things and create space — I even feel the urge to cleanse my body in spring.
As I’m currently deep in the process, rearranging my surroundings and rescheduling interior photoshoots as I’m seeing my home as a stranger, I thought of dedicating this entruy to highlighting spring cleaning’s most notable purchases and hacks.
Closet
Let clothes breathe: Most garments don’t need constant washing. Spot clean when needed, air them out, and they’ll last longer. If something feels slightly off, a night in the freezer can help neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
When it comes to closets, my main issue is usually space. These stackable drawers are great to make use of under-bed space. And their wheels.
Another excellent tool in that department are these trouser hangers.
Knitwear should never be hung. It might be obvious to many, but I’m surprised by the number of people who aren’t aware of this. Folding preserves shape and texture.
Pilling and lint are part of a garment’s story. Restore, don’t discard — use a reusable brush or lint remover to keep pieces sharp without waste. I recently invested in this electric one.
For your eyewear, an acrylic organizer, because you want them tidy and protected but still visible.
Also works for purses (my own personal spring cleaning purchase).
I’ve been a returning customer of these for over 20 years. Nothing better for jewellery than MUJI acrylic storage containers.
Reorganizing my archive is a huge part of yearly spring cleaning.
It always involves washing a few items. Retroclean is a great product for vintage cottons.
As a general rule I avoid fabric softener — it may feel indulgent, but it coats and weakens fibers over time. For a cleaner, more honest softness, use a splash of white vinegar.
Breathable garment bags and natural scents like lavender or cedar help protect and preserve off-season and archive pieces.
Kitchen
Reach what’s in the back! One of the things that annoys me the most are half-emptied and forgotten bags of food. These pantry steps are a game changer.
As I was mentioning, I can’t stand keeping half-used cereal or nut bags in my pantry, so I like to empty them into clear containers (I also insert a cut-out with their nutrients and expiry date).
Foam cleaner must be one of the most satisfying cleaning products. For ovens and much more.
To keep the fridge clean and vegetables breathing, these bags.
Bathroom
Especially if you’re renting, it’s a great idea to clean your toilet with a pumice stone.
Drain clog remover — renting or not, this is genius and might save you hundreds of bucks on a plumber later.
Bedroom
Remove yellow stains from mattresses with a cleaning mixture made of 2 cups hydrogen peroxide, 3 tbsp baking soda and a few drops of dish soap, applied with a damp cloth: rub the cloth on the mattress and then dry with an iron. Never apply the iron directly to the mattress — always use a buffer cloth to prevent burning the fabric, especially on memory foam.
Since I obsess over mattresses, I also highly recommend a mattress beater to remove dust and mites, such as this one.
For children’s bedrooms, but also for fun storage, different colours for different categories of items — HAY stackable crates.
