6 Surprising Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning—for Both Your Body and Mind

Reduces Allergen Exposure

When it comes to managing allergies at home, regular cleaning is key—particularly during the spring. For starters, spring is marked by an uptick of pollen, which can sneak its way into the house via clothes, shoes, and open windows. This can worsen allergy symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes, all of which can be alleviated with a deep spring cleaning sesh.

Plus, spring comes on the heels of winter, a season that prompts many of us to close up windows due to cold weather. This can contribute to the buildup of allergens (think dust mites, pet dander, mold, mildew, fireplace residue, and cockroach dander), but spring cleaning can help lower their levels. As Dr. William Woo, MD, family medicine physician notes, cleaning and decluttering can significantly minimize exposure to allergens, which would otherwise trigger respiratory issues and allergies.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

In addition to reducing allergens, spring cleaning can decrease dust and pollutants, thereby improving indoor air quality, says Dr. Kirk Sperber, MD, allergist and immunologist. For best results, “open windows before, during, and after cleaning, and use fans to circulate air to remove fumes [from cleaning products],” Dr. Sperber says. It’s also worth using an air purifier with a HEPA air filter, which helps remove indoor and outdoor allergens in the air, he notes. 

While spring cleaning, “you should also check for mold, rodents, and insects that can negatively impact indoor air quality,” Dr. Sperber adds. This is crucial to do during any cleaning session, of course, but it’s worth performing a more detailed inspection for the new season ahead.

Increases Physical Activity

In general, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for optimal health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Luckily, cleaning (during any time of the year!) can count toward those daily physical activity goals, Dr. Woo says. Examples of cleaning tasks that require moderate-level activity include vacuuming, scrubbing floors and walls, dusting and wiping down surfaces, and cleaning windows, he adds. How’s that for multi-tasking?

“To keep up the level of activity, consider playing music with a good beat to help you stay motivated and keep up the pace,” Dr. Woo suggests. “Additionally, involving family members in the cleaning process can turn it into a team effort, making it more enjoyable and rewarding.”

Eases Mental and Emotional Stress

While the idea of tackling spring cleaning can be stressful, getting it done can pave the way for relaxation. This is especially true of decluttering, a key part of any cleaning sesh. Here’s why: “Clutter keeps your nervous system on edge—visually, mentally, and physically,” says Cheryl Groskopf, marriage and family therapist. “It’s not just ‘a mess,’ it’s a bunch of micro-reminders of everything you haven’t done yet.” This kind of sensory and cognitive overload can make it hard to settle, but decluttering and cleaning reduce the incoming stress signals your brain needs to filter out, Groskopf says. This regulates your body and mind, helping you start the new season with ease.

Promotes Better Sleep

In case you need another reason to spring clean, it can even encourage better sleep. As mentioned, spring cleaning lowers levels of allergens—which, in turn, reduces symptoms that may mess with your slumber, like congestion and coughing. “Plus, physical movement during cleaning helps regulate cortisol and gets rid of [any] anxious energy that might’ve kept you up,” Groskopf says.

The stress-relieving effects of spring cleaning can lend a hand, too. As Keisha Saunders-Waldron, LCMHC, licensed professional counselor, notes, the state of our space directly impacts how the brain processes relaxation. “When our environments are chaotic, our minds often stay alert, even when we’re trying to rest,” she says. In contrast, a clean and organized space signals safety and calm to the nervous system, helping lower cortisol levels and promoting more restful sleep.

Boosts Optimism

You can always count on a spring cleaning spree to lift your mood. “Spring cleaning is symbolic of new beginnings,” Saunders-Waldron says. “The act of letting go—whether it’s [by] donating unused items or simply clearing out a drawer—can translate to an emotional release,” she adds. It serves as a reminder that you have the ability to shift your surroundings (and ultimately, your mindset), which can foster a renewed sense of optimism, hope, and motivation, Saunders-Waldron says. 

Groskopf echoes this notion, sharing that your environment shapes your internal state. “When your space feels clearer, your mind isn’t working as hard to filter out distractions or chaos,” she says. “You’re not fixing your life by scrubbing a counter, but you are creating conditions that make it easier to access calmness, focus, and motivation.”