More than a chore: How spring cleaning can spark joy in your care home

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Hanging out the washing

The sun is shining and the wind is blowing, there's nothing quite like this weather to make you want to embrace the tradition of spring cleaning.

For care home activity coordinators it's the perfect opportunity to engage residents in meaningful occupations.

Spring cleaning goes beyond dusting and decluttering. A well-maintained and organised environment can lift moods and create a sense of renewal - and removing clutter reduces trip hazards and ensures a safer environment for residents and staff.

Spring cleaning is a fabulous activity, involving residents in familiar tasks from their past helps foster a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Deep cleaning is definitely a job for housekeeping, but, there are plenty of light and engaging tasks that residents can take part in, depending on their abilities and preferences.

Encourage residents to go through their personal spaces, sorting their belongings, donating or repurposing items they no longer need.

In shared spaces, organise a team to wipe down tables, sort magazines, and add fresh flowers to brighten up spaces. Play lively tunes while residents help with light tidying tasks, making the process more fun.

Plan an activity session to sort and tidy up craft materials, puzzles, and games to make them more accessible for future use. Again, this helps residents to feel responsible for the items and future planning, giving them a sense of purpose.

For those who love to get outdoors, plan an activity session which gives residents time to clear out dead leaves, plant new flowers, or set up a herb garden. If you have a shed, include this space for sorting old plant pots, cleaning tools, etc.

Hanging tea-towels on the line is a lovely way to keep an eye on the weather. Consider other items too. What items would your care home residents expect to see hanging on the line? Baby clothes, table cloths - think of this project as a conversation booster, what items will spark conversation among residents and staff in your care home?

Reminiscence links may also include cleaning materials and products, for instance you could discuss cleaning products used in the past, do residents recall when cleaning day left the house smelling of bleach? For those who recall the smell of brass cleaner, consider creating a small collection of brass items for cleaning together. This was one of the activities that brought Bright Copper Kettles to mind when I was naming the website. Polishing the silver is another alternative. Scents and textures can evoke powerful memories.

Try asking residents to name as many things they can;

• that might be found in the utility cupboard

• that need ironing

• that can be washed on a hot wash

• unusual items used for cleaning in the past

• tips for cleaning that were passed down to them

Did residents have set days for different chores? What did they allocate to each day? These discussions can help you to discover what is meaningful for each resident at this time of year.

It may be appropriate to discuss moving furniture, a small change in furniture layout can create a renewed feel and give better access to viewing outdoor areas.

How will you bring the spirit of spring cleaning into your care home? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments!

Share photos of your spring cleaning efforts in action on your social media accounts - tag me (@care_home_activities_matter) on Instagram so that I can support your posts too.