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Feb 28

What Happened to the Annual Spring Clean?

Victoria Atherstone 28th Feb 2017 One Comment

Recent research has revealed that less than half of Brits still bother with an annual spring clean.

The task, once dutifully carried out by proud home owners across the country, is being killed off by the benefits and pressures of modern-day life.

 

Spring Cleaning Survey Results

Annual Spring Clean Survey resultsIn a new survey, over 50 per cent say they have swept the spring clean into the dustbin of history.

  • Of those, 14 per cent of people said they had abandoned the traditional yearly task simply because they didn’t have the time. Largely, they blamed work and office pressures for this, but also family commitments on a weekend.
  • A further 30 per cent said they didn’t need to carry out a deep clean as their houses were kept ‘clean and tidy’ all year round. A minority (six per cent) said they didn’t need to carry out a deep clean as their houses were now regularly tidied by cleaners.
  • Roughly 11 per cent admitted they simply “couldn’t be bothered” with a spring clean, and that a tidy, de-cluttered home was not a priority for them.
  • Over 80 per cent of the 985 respondents, however, said they still carried out at least one deep clean a year, with nearly one in five conducting four or more, but that they were no longer done specifically during the Spring.

 

Clear Your Clutter & clean

Clear Your Clutter - exercise - lose weightThe study was conducted on behalf of our national Clear Your Clutter Day taking place on Saturday 11th March 2017, when we’ll be encouraging homeowners to rid their homes of excess stuff.

Despite the decline of the traditional spring clean, the research shows that those who have given-up on the tradition might be missing out. Of the 49 per cent who did still carry out a spring clean, the vast majority (81 per cent) claimed they derived great pleasure from the exercise. Those questioned claimed the task left them feel rejuvenated, clearer-headed and more positive in their general outlook.

But the survey also showed that the practice has evolved with regards its primary goal, with the majority (60 per cent) viewing it more as a de-cluttering exercise than a strict deep-clean.

WHAT GETS Donated to Charity?

Of the possessions most likely to be thrown-away or given to charity shops, clothes, books, bric-a-brac, CDs and DVDs, and children’s toys and were top of the list.

 

Selling unwanted items online

Some 72 per cent revealed that they also sell unwanted items online.

 

Tidying up

Almost half, 48 per cent, also used the opportunity to sort their papers and get on top of admin, such as reviewing their gas and electricity provider and destroying old bank statements.

 

Jasmine’s thoughts

Moneymaking expert and Clear Your Clutter Day founder Jasmine Birtles said the spring clean still has an important role to play in today’s society.

jasmine birtles founder of clear your clutter day“A person’s home is their safe haven and sanctuary in this busy world and it should be treated with love and respect. Though it’s good to know the majority of people still conduct at least one deep clean a year, it’s a shame that more don’t reconnect with the spring clean. There is a clear psychological boost to the tradition, helping shake off the winter and look forward to the year ahead. The fact that those people who do still do this claim it to be an invigorating task, one that fills them with energy and positivity, proves that this is a feat worth doing. Also, if people do use the time to de-clutter, then there couldn’t be a better time to do so than the spring, when our finances have fully recovered from Christmas and the January blues and people can look to make good money from their unwanted goods.”

She added: “A spring clean doesn’t have to be a chore. The whole family can get involved. It can be fun, you can have competitions as to who can get rid of or sell the most stuff. It’s the perfect way to fall back in love with your home.”

 

Find out here how you can get involved with Clear Your Clutter Day 2018 

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Joanne
5 years ago

Springtime can bring on more positivity, so you might feel more inclined to tackle the big clean at this time of year.


Clear Your Clutter Campaign seen in

Clear Your Clutter Campaign seen in
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