Where and When Did Spring Cleaning Begin?
Spring cleaning is a term that refers to the process of cleaning a home and clearing it of any dirt or debris that has built up during the previous winter. It is an ancient practice that goes back many centuries. In some instances, it is believed to have begun as an agricultural practice.
One of the most common spring cleaning practices is to clean the house before the flowers begin to bloom. Spring cleaning is also a way to refresh a house after a long winter.
While it is possible to trace the origin of the word “spring cleaning” back thousands of years, there is a more likely explanation. That is, it may have been used by the British in the early 1800s as a farming phrase. By the late 1700s, the term was already used as a household phrase in parts of the United States.
Some believe that it has its origins in the ritual of clearing stubble from fields before sowing new crops. Other theories include that it is related to the Chinese New Year or the Persian New Year.
Another possible origin of the spring cleaning ritual is the practice of cleaning the house before the first day of Great Lent. Greeks and Iranians perform a thorough clean of their houses before the beginning of the Lent. They call this the Ninyabaat. Usually, the holiday begins on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month.
The Persian New Year, or Nowruz, is a springtime holiday in Iran. During the holidays, Iranians clean their houses, replace damaged items, and buy new clothes. There is a tradition called khaneh tekani, which translates to “shaking the house.”
Many people also think that the spring cleaning tradition has its roots in the ancient Buddhist purification rituals. The Buddhists used the spring as a time to wash away bad thoughts and behaviors. These beliefs may explain why the ancients cleaned their homes thoroughly before the beginning of the New Year.