Spring has arrived, and with it comes the annual urge (okay, societal pressure) to fling open the windows, clear out the clutter and finally tackle that long-overdue home reoganisation.
But while many of us approach spring cleaning with no plan other than to finally get it done, a traditional Japanese method is offering a far more structured – and satisfying – approach.
Enter Ōsōji, which translates to ‘big cleaning’. Rooted in Japanese culture, the ritual is all about resetting your space and your mindset by cleaning ‘thoroughly and intentionally’, rather than in rushed bursts whenever you can muster up the energy.
According to Bill Parkinson, a bed expert at Sleepy Piglet, applying the principles of Ōsōji can completely transform how your home feels for the season ahead.
‘It’s not just about tidying,’ he explains. ‘It’s about creating a sense of closure, clarity and a genuine fresh start for the season ahead.’
And he’s not the only one who thinks so. There are thousands of TikTok clips of users trying the ‘Japanese decluttering method’, with one writing their home ‘always looks like it’s straight off Pinterest’ thanks to the tips.
Want the same? Keep reading, as Parkinson explains the four simple steps to try now.
1. Cleaning clockwise
Instead of jumping from one task to another, Ōsōji encourages cleaning in a set order. The idea is to start at the entrance of the room and work clockwise, returning to where you began.
‘It symbolically “closes the circle”,’ says Parkinson. ‘This is going to ensure you’re not missing any spots or getting overwhelmed, as you simply go through the room element by element. By the time you’ve come full circle, the job feels complete –which is surprisingly motivating.’
2. Clean top to bottom
It may sound obvious, but it’s a step many people skip. The Ōsōji method emphasises cleaning from top to bottom – meaning shelves, light fittings and higher surfaces first, before moving onto furniture and floors.
‘In a bedroom, that might mean dusting wardrobes and lamps before you even think about vacuuming,’ says Parkinson. ‘It prevents dust from settling back onto areas you’ve already cleaned, often the reason why rooms start to feel messy again so quickly.’
3. Reset the room’s energy
A key part of Ōsōji is letting go of anything that brings down the space, whether that’s visually or emotionally. ‘When a bedroom stops feeling fresh, it can subtly affect your mood,’ Parkinson explains. ‘It’s where you start and end your day, so it should feel calm and looked after.’
Simple swaps can make a big difference. Fresh bedding, spot-cleaning a mattress or upholstery and removing any old stains can quickly provide that ‘reset’ feeling.
One of Parkinson’s favourite quick fixes? ‘For an immediate sense of accomplishment, it’s worth flipping or rotating your mattress if it’s been a while since it was last done. It’s a practical step, but it also signals a fresh start for spring,’ he adds.
4. Avoid cutter blindness
Finally, Ōsōji is traditionally done collectively – and for an important reason. When you’re used to a space, it’s easy to stop noticing the mess.
‘We all develop “clutter blindness” when using a room day in day out, and stop seeing the mess we’re creating,’ says Parkinson. ‘That pile of washing on a chair or a tangle of charging cables might feel invisible to you, but not to someone else.’
Bringing in a second pair of eyes – whether it’s a partner, friend or family member – can help you spot what you’ve been overlooking. ‘It’s one of the easiest ways to make a real difference,’ he says. ‘And it’s particularly effective during a spring reset.”
