Spring cleaning is more than a chance to organize your life and home. Over the centuries, it has grown to include cleansing energy and ridding your home of bad vibes. Our abuelas always focused heavily on physical cleaning, but a spiritual component always made its way into the routine. In adulthood, nonphysical spring cleaning has become more important. So many of us have embraced the brujería deep inside of us, and it helps to guide our spring cleaning routine.

Spring cleaning was around long before the Latino urge to deep clean every Saturday

Spring cleaning is a lasting legacy from ancient times that we still embrace. People have participated in spring cleaning for religious and cultural reasons for centuries. The earliest example of spring cleaning for religious and cultural purposes has roots in Judaism. Leading up to Passover, the Jewish people clear out their space of chametz or leavened bread. It is prohibited during Passover and is a reminder of when the Israelites fled Egypt.

For Catholics, the tradition of spring cleaning is tied to Good Friday, well, the day before. On Maundy Thursday, the altars of the churches are cleaned in preparation for Good Friday. Similarly, Persians clean their homes ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. The ritualistic cleansing for Nowruz is called khāne-takānī, or “shaking down the house.” Those who celebrate Nowruz clean all of the blankets, tapestries, and clothes ahead of the new year to start the year off right.

These examples are rooted in the start of Spring between March and April. These ancient traditions that our families still very much follow have evolved over the years to include new and different ways of cleaning. It is important to make sure that you clear out the physical mess, but the crystal and astrology girlies also make sure to clean vibes, energy, and headspace.

Spring cleaning is taking on new meaning with every generation

Younger Latinos continuing the spring cleaning tradition aren’t relying on the same reasons as previous generations. Mental health is being prioritized, and we are also spiritual in ways different from organized religion. According to a study from the Pew Research Center, young Latinos are moving away from the Catholic church and toward no religious affiliation.

Spring cleaning has become a way of clearing out energy and vibes we don’t want in the house. While we still clean in the physical sense, we love to include sage to smudge all of the negative stuff from our lives. Problems with the ex? Brujería. Negative energy from your landlord? Brujería. There are a few things that brujería can’t solve.

Some spring cleaning priorities from older generations also fit into our new version. After all, we learned our burjería tricks from our abuelas. Who else had a glass full of water behind their bed to capture negative spirits? If you are in the middle of your spring cleaning plan, make sure you refill that glass so you can banish those spirits and refresh your cleansing water.

Spring cleaning still comes down to one thing: peace of mind

Our elders might have taken a different approach to spring cleaning than we do now, but the end result is the same. The decluttering, cleaning, dusting, purging, and reorganizing brings the peace of mind we desperately need after the winter.

For Abuela, that peace of mind came from knowing the house was free of dust, trash, and clutter. Having a clean home always felt like a source of pride when people visited. Nothing brought more joy than being able to have people over at any time and knowing that the house was always guest-ready.

For many of us, the peace of mind comes from focusing inward and helping to improve our mental health. Life can be stressful and overwhelming. Clearing your space can serve as a chance to clear your mind. Decluttering helps with decluttering your thoughts. Clearing out negative energy brings peace to existing in your space.

However you do it, spring cleaning is an ancient ritual with many benefits. As spring starts around us, it might be time to grab your mop and sage and get to work, making your space a safe haven.

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