It's time to spring-clean your home the Scandi way

As the days begin to get longer and temperatures start to rise it's time to shake off the clutter and cobwebs and give your homes a spring reset the Scandi way

Whether you love any excuse for a big clear out or the very thought of tidying up leaves you overwhelmed, spring cleaning is not just about refreshing your home but about creating a sense of new season energy for all who live there. We asked our Simply Noted editor Nicola Capper for her Scandi spring-cleaning top tips, so you not only see effective results, but enjoy doing it too!

1. Get yourself organised


Whether products are stored in a cupboard under the sink, or you have a dedicated utility room, start by getting organised. Replace those rubber gloves, refill those empties, treat yourself to some cloths, and put yourself together a Scandi style cleaning kit that will make moving from room to room much easier.

Hale tea towels, Ferm Living

2. Start on the doorstep


It is the first metre of a hallway that collects almost 90 per cent of the dirt that enters our homes, so give your doorstep a pop of personality as well as Scandi practicality by choosing a mat that is hard-wearing, super absorbent and can be regularly vacuumed or easily thrown in the wash.

Scallop door mat, brostecopenhagen.com

3. Declutter those surfaces


When it comes to decluttering surfaces, approach cleaning and home organisation with lagom in mind. A Swedish word that means ‘just the right amount,’ by displaying ‘not too much and not too little’ you will only ever need to dust items you truly love. 

Cleaning products, from a selection, Humdakin

4. Keep it natural

Aside from aesthetics, Scandinavians have long been advocates of all things natural, and cleaning products are no exception to this rule. So always opt for organic and non-toxic sprays and soaps, such as pine extract which purifies and disinfects surfaces without harming the planet.

Act of Caring cleaning products, from a selection, Finnish Design Shop

5. Liven up your laundry


Laundry is a never-ending task in most homes but by storing washing in a decorative basket your bedroom, bathroom or children’s room will look and feel tidier in an instant. Choose from a traditional Scandi style braided rattan or make a more modern statement with something colourful.

HAY Laundry basket, hollowaysofludlow.com

6. Make washing-up memorable

Doing the dishes will never be dull if you invest in a design icon. Created by Ole Jensen for Normann Copenhagen back in 2002 and still a best-seller today, their award-winning rubber Washing Up Bowl and Brush is considered to be one of the most influential modern Danish designs of the last century and is even exhibited in the Design Museum Denmark in Copenhagen.

Normman Copenhagen washing-up bowl and brush, Utility Design

7. Get everyone involved


While for most of us cleaning is something we do alone, our Swedish counterparts enjoy städdag. An approach focussed on community spirit, and usually taking place on a Saturday, whole families and neighbourhoods come together to clean their communal spaces and share the responsibility of weekly tasks that will benefit everyone.

Duspan & brush set, Iris Hantverk

8. Small details big difference


The kitchen is the most cleaned room in our homes, and its often the smallest details that make the biggest difference, so be sure to always have a good selection of 100 per cent organic cotton cloths, tea towels and plant-based tampico bristled brushes at hand for lending a new season shine to surfaces, switches and silverware.

Scandi Bloom dishcloth, Janegus

9. New season new bedding


Nothing beats the feeling of fresh bedding, and while covers and pillowcases should always be washed fortnightly if not weekly, say goodbye to those long winter nights with some shiny new sheets. Donate or repurpose anything that no longer excites you and start the new season with a spring inspired pattern or fabric you love. 

Misty Green bed linen, Soak & Sleep

10. Finish with a personal touch

A clean home always smells fresh so when you’ve finished be sure to take some time to enjoy it. Embrace that hyggelig feeling of a job well done and light candles containing citrus, lavender, or eucalyptus, or treat yourself to a vase of spring flowers. It doesn’t have to be an expensive; just something that brings you joy.