Spotless World: 10 Cleaning Inspirations from Across the Globe

We share a quirky and delightful fascination with cleaning, organizing, and tidying up that seems nearly universal.

Every culture boasts its own unique cleaning rituals and customs—often accompanied by annual holidays dedicated to spring cleaning. Trends like The Home Edit and the KonMari method frequently emerge, while technological advancements are swiftly transforming cleaning into an integral aspect of daily life.

Whether you're a huge fan of TikTok cleaning videos (isn't CleanTok so satisfying?) or simply curious about tidying, here are our top inspirations from around the world.

Osoji — Japan

Japan is rich in inspiring New Year traditions, and we kick off the year with osoji, the comprehensive and symbolic 'big clean.' It's time for rubber gloves, recycling bags, and brooms to tackle everything old, broken, or cluttered.

The principles of osoji resonate in celebrity organizer Marie Kondo’s KonMari method — gathering items in a single space, evaluating them mindfully, and assigning them intentional places.

Kehrwoche — Germany

Originating in the 1400s, the contemporary German tradition of Kehrwoche — or 'sweeping week' — involves rotating cleaning responsibilities for communal areas among residents of apartment complexes and shared buildings. While it was mandated until the late 1980s, it may still appear in rental agreements today. Though not particularly enjoyable, it is essential for maintaining the cleanliness of shared spaces.

Playing a vital role in fostering good neighborly relations, your contribution to keeping communal areas clean reflects good manners and citizenship. Neglecting this duty could lead to disapproving looks from more particular neighbors above.

Nowruz — Iran

Typically celebrated in late March, the Persian New Year is a significant event in Iran and among communities worldwide, largely due to the delectable dishes associated with the holiday. Bundles of wheatgrass, representing new beginnings, are just one of many symbols placed on the Haft-seen, a ceremonial table set up in homes.

Additionally, there’s a meaningful cleaning ritual: a few weeks prior to the festivities, individuals take the time to tidy their homes, addressing repairs or cleaning areas that often get overlooked in regular upkeep.

Hogmanay — Scotland

In Scotland, the New Year brings a cleaning tradition where homes are meticulously cleaned. This practice is believed to have originated from the need to clear out old fireplaces during the cold winter months in these northern regions.

Saining, which means “blessing,” involves burning fragrant branches to eliminate odors, pests, and, in theory, evil spirits. This practice of smoking out unwanted elements is found in various cultures. Smudging and saging are alternative terms for burning pleasant-smelling herbs and woods that deter pests.

Once the cleaning is complete, it’s customary to visit your neighbors first as the New Year begins. Folklore suggests that a tall, dark, and handsome man is considered the luckiest visitor, which seems to hold some truth!

Spring cleaning — USA, UK, and Commonwealth nations

The practice of flinging open windows and thoroughly cleaning the home in spring is so prevalent that the term “spring cleaning” has become a metaphor. Nowadays, you might even apply it to organizing your computer files, unlike your home, which accumulates dust and mustiness over long, cold winters.

Spring cleaning typically waits for that first warm day, when it’s time to open windows, hang carpets and curtains outside for a good beating to clear out dust, while also scrubbing the entire house from top to bottom.

Lunar New Year — China and much of Southeast Asia

Celebrated as the most significant event of the year in its native cultures, Lunar New Year involves a grand celebration. Preparations include giving homes a thorough cleaning.

In this context, the cleaning serves both practical and symbolic purposes, focusing on eliminating anything outdated and unnecessary — whether that be concepts or physical items.

Döstädning — Sweden

Have you heard of Swedish Death Cleaning? Don’t fret; it’s not about overworking yourself with a broom. It’s a pragmatic approach to assessing your belongings — and your lifestyle — to avoid leaving a cluttered legacy for your loved ones after you pass away.

Döstädning, which translates to death-cleaning, embodies a form of practical minimalism, often coinciding with significant life events such as middle age transitions, downsizing, or other major changes. In our fast-paced world, isn’t that a soothing idea?

Songkran — Thailand

The solar new year is celebrated across various countries in South and Southeast Asia, but Thailand’s Songkran is arguably the most renowned globally.

Once Thailand’s official new year, this festival—taking place during one of the hottest months—originates from the tradition of cleansing homes with water. Nowadays, it has transformed into a lively celebration where participants are guaranteed to be drenched by water cannons, buckets, or any vessel that can hold water.

La quema del diablo — Guatemala

Translated as “the burning of the devil,” this Guatemalan fire festival on December 7th is rooted in the belief that the devil lurks in the dusty, neglected corners of homes or among piles of trash. To combat this, people ritually clear out their garbage, setting it ablaze in the streets.

Today, since much of the trash includes items that don’t burn cleanly, the devil often takes the form of a small piñata-like effigy instead.

From Roborock

It’s evident that cleaning techniques and traditions are constantly changing; modern technology makes refreshing your entire home easier than ever.

Planning a trip to one of these countries or anywhere else? Imagine returning to a home as spotless as it was right after Osoji! With Roborock’s new S8 series of robot vacuums, you can easily “Forget About Cleaning, Really.”

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, S8+, and S8 come equipped with an enhanced docking system, intelligent obstacle detection, and user-friendly app control. Plus, the DuoRoller Riser Brush and VibraRise 2.0 Mopping system provide double the cleaning efficiency.

While many robot vacuums available today lack true intelligence and automation, the Roborock S8 series could very well become your new cleaning staple.