Why spring cleaning feels so good and gratifying

With spring’s arrival comes the appeal of a fresh start – and, for many of us, an instinctive urge to sort out our homes.

As Lynsey Crombie, This Morning’s resident home expert, who is also known for posting cleaning advice on social media (@lynsey_queenofclean), says: “Every year, as soon as the days get lighter, we feel it.

“That sudden urge to open the windows, clear the clutter and give our homes a proper reset.”

However, she believes spring cleaning is about more than gleaming surfaces, neatly arranged cupboards and a feeling of organisation.

“There’s a reason it feels so good, and it goes a lot deeper than having a tidy home.

“As someone who has spent years helping busy households clean smarter, not harder, I can tell you this… spring cleaning works best when it’s about how it makes you feel – not how your home looks.”

Drawing on her experience, Crombie shares how to meet your cleaning aims while supporting your wellbeing too.

Spring cleaning for a clear house and clear mind

“Our homes hold a lot more than just furniture and belongings, they hold energy, memories and mental load,” Crombie highlights.

“When things start to pile up, so does overwhelm. Visual clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and out of control, even if we don’t consciously realise it.”

According to Crombie, clearing an area provides room to breathe, both in your surroundings and in your mind.

“That’s why even tackling one drawer or one cupboard can feel incredibly satisfying.”

It can also provide a feeling of control and accomplishment, she says.

“I always say this to people, ‘You don’t need a magazine-standard home to feel better… you just need a home that works for you.'”

The overlooked mental health benefits

“Cleaning can be so grounding too,” Crombie notes. “There’s something soothing about repetitive, practical tasks like wiping, sorting and folding that helps quiet a busy mind.

“It brings you into the moment, which is why so many people (myself included) describe cleaning as therapeutic.”

As she explains: “Spring cleaning also gives us permission to let go. Letting go of items we no longer need can be emotional, but it’s also freeing.

“You’re making space for new routines, new habits and a new season.”

Crombie also highlights the positive feeling that comes with entering a clean, refreshed room. “That calm, settled feeling isn’t accidental; it’s your nervous system responding to order and clarity.”

Movement, not a workout

For something many of us will recognise, Crombie suggests that “you might not realise it, but spring cleaning is a full-body workout”.

“Stretching to reach high shelves, bending, lifting, walking up and down the stairs, it all mounts up… for many people, it’s movement without the pressure of ‘exercise’, which makes it far more accessible.”

Crombie stresses that physical movement naturally improves circulation, releases endorphins and helps to banish sluggishness.

“You don’t need a gym session when a good clean can do the job just as well.”

Why perfection is the enemy of progress

Crombie says one of the main spring-cleaning mistakes is attempting to tackle everything in one go. “That’s when overwhelm creeps in, motivation disappears and nothing gets finished.”

The television presenter and author of cleaning books, including The 15-Minute Clean (Amazon, £12.99), says spring cleaning need not involve one huge transformation. Instead, she feels it is far more effective to divide it into smaller, achievable resets.

“Fifteen minutes here – just like my 15 Minute Clean approach – one cupboard there, and progress adds up quickly without leaving you exhausted.

“Your home didn’t get messy overnight, so it doesn’t need to be perfect overnight either,” she says confidently.

Keep it realistic

“Spring cleaning isn’t about scrubbing every corner of your home until you’re exhausted,” Crombie highlights. “It’s about creating a space that supports you, your family and your wellbeing.”

Her advice is to begin with something small. “Open a window. Clear one surface. Finish one job.

“That feeling of ‘I’ve done something today’ is more powerful than chasing perfection.

“Because when your home feels calmer, life feels calmer too, and that’s what spring cleaning is really about.”

Five reasons spring cleaning feels so good and gratifying…

• It reduces mental clutter: “A tidy space helps calm a busy mind and reduces feelings of stress and overwhelm,” says Crombie.
• It gives a sense of control: “Small wins build confidence and make daily life feel more manageable.”
• It boosts your mood: “Fresh, clean spaces trigger feel-good chemicals in the brain,” she says encouragingly.
• It gets you moving: “Cleaning naturally increases movement and energy levels.”
• It creates a fresh start: “Letting go of old clutter makes space for new habits and routines,” Crombie adds.