Spring is in the air, so it’s time for the annual deep clean. But before you start scrubbing and stuffing things into storage, experts warn that many of us are making common mistakes that can leave our homes just as cluttered and chaotic weeks later.
Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage, has seen it all when spring cleaning doesn't go to plan.
“Spring cleaning isn’t just about decluttering — it’s about making your space work for you year-round,” he explains.
Here are the six biggest mistakes to avoid and what to do instead.
Storing items without cleaning them first
It’s easy to throw winter clothes, shoes, or decorations into storage and call it a day, but that’s a recipe for musty smells, mould, and damage.
“Before you store your clothes, decorations, or old nick-nacks away, it’s important to make sure they are properly cleaned,” Max advises. “Dust, dirt, and moisture can lead to mould, odours, and deterioration over time.”
Wash clothing and shoes, wipe down hard surfaces with a mild detergent, and make sure everything is completely dry before packing it away. A little extra effort now will keep your items in top condition for next year.
Bedroom storage essentials...
Storing clothes and shoes in the wrong place
Where you store seasonal clothing and footwear matters more than you think. “Humidity causes mould, and extreme temperatures damage fabric and leather,” Max warns.
Choose a cool, dry space with good airflow. Breathable containers like cotton garment bags or acid-free boxes help prevent yellowing and fabric breakdown, while stuffing shoes with tissue or using shoe trees will maintain their shape. “For added protection, keep storage boxes elevated and use moisture absorbers like silica gel packs,” Max suggests.
Not putting labels on storage boxes
Picture this: you’re rummaging through a pile of unmarked boxes, looking for your favourite winter jumper, and you end up making an even bigger mess. Sound familiar? “When packing away items, it’s absolutely essential to label your boxes clearly,” Max advises.
A simple label should include what’s inside and which room it belongs to — think ‘Kitchen – Dinnerware’ or ‘Clothing – Winter Coats.’ Max also recommends investing in sturdy storage boxes rather than flimsy cardboard that can collapse over time. “And always stack heavier boxes at the bottom and fragile ones on top.”
Forgetting to make an inventory list
One of the easiest ways to keep track of stored items? A simple inventory list. “Take time to list everything you’re storing and even photograph the contents of each box for easy reference,” Max suggests.
This saves time when looking for something and helps avoid buying duplicates. Plus, an inventory can be invaluable for insurance in case of loss or damage.
Ignoring the food cupboards
Spring cleaning isn’t just about decluttering wardrobes and garages — your kitchen needs attention, too. “The first step to an organised cupboard is discarding expired items and wiping down all surfaces,” Max says.
To keep things in order, he suggests grouping similar items (just like in a supermarket), using clear airtight containers to store bulk items, and sticking to a ‘First In, First Out’ system so older food gets used first. “Creating specific zones — like a snack zone or breakfast zone — makes finding things easier, and using pull-out baskets helps maintain organisation long-term.”
Holding onto things ‘just in case’
We’ve all been guilty of keeping things we don’t use out of guilt or habit. Max’s advice is to be ruthless, he says: “If it’s cluttering up your space and not doing its job, get rid of it."
Here are some common culprits in each room:
Kitchen: “Be honest: do you really need five chopping boards or ten coffee mugs? Get rid of blunt knives, dented baking trays, and Tupperware with no lids.”
Living Room: “Declutter old electronics like broken remotes, tangled charging wires, and that pile of ancient DVDs gathering dust.”
Home Office: “Unused gadgets, promotional pens, and stacks of old paperwork need to go. Shred outdated files and receipts.”
Bedroom: “If you haven’t worn it in months, donate it. Don’t hold onto clothes out of guilt or nostalgia.”
Bathroom: “Makeup and toiletries have expiry dates. Throw out half-used products and use drawer dividers to keep things tidy.”
“Ultimately, the goal of a good spring clean is for less stuff, more space, and a system that keeps your home organised for longer.”
15 plastic-free cleaning and laundry products
Refillable amber brown glass bottles
You can choose whether these stylish bottles come with a trigger spray or a pump and you can also personalise the label on them. They are a perfect replacement for plastic bottles: cleaning sprays, shampoo and conditioner, hand wash, washing-up liquid etc. They can be refilled at local refill stations. We suggest Ecover refills for cleaning products (list of stockists here) and Faith in Nature for personal hygiene (list here).
Ecoegg for laundry - lasts up to 210 washes
Ecoeggs are a long-lasting alternative to laundry capsules and detergents. It’s a recycled plastic egg, filled with mineral pellets, which you put in your washing machine as you would a normal capsule. The refillable mineral pellets are proven to be good for allergy-prone and sensitive skin and are also much better for the waterways.
Tip! The Ecoegg is great for everyday washing but you might want to consider a stronger stain remover on dirtier clothes or the natural bleach mentioned in the next few slides. You can also add extra scent to your laundry with essentials oils.
Coconut fibre dish brushes
We love these sturdy dish brushes that not only do the job well but look much nicer in our kitchens, too. Their description reads: "Each cleaning brush is handmade and bristles are made from highly durable and long lasting coconut fibre."
Organic cleaning None Sponge
Swap those yellow and green sponges which shed plastic into our sinks with these attractive, washable pads. Although they are much thinner than a traditional sponge and definitely feel different to use, they are great for washing up plates, bowls and glasses. They can be washed in the machine and are then fully recyclable when they do reach they end of their days.
Guppyfriend laundry bag
This laundry bag collects the microfibres that escape from your clothes in the washing machine. You simply put your load in the bag and then put the entire bag in the machine. Once the load is done, the microfibres will be left in the bottom of the bag. These can't be recycled in most cases but this method stops them from entering the waterways and inevitably heading for the ocean.
Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
This is an excellent cleaner which can be used to refill reusable bottles like the glass ones mentioned earlier. This product can be found at most Ecover refill stations but, if you would prefer buy a bottle, rest assured that it is made from recycled plastic and plant based materials and is fully recyclable.
Bamboo clothes pegs
This is an obvious swap away from the plastic clothes pegs that have crept into our households.
Reusable paper towels
Swap plastic-wrapped, single-use paper kitchen roll for these much more attractive, natural and washable cloths.
Beeswax wraps
Swap cling film for beeswax wraps. They are perfect for fruit, veg, bread and bowls of leftovers. You simply warm the wax up with your hands and they mould around anything.
Natural bleach
This natural bleach in a paper bag, from Mangle & Wringer, is a great alternative to big plastic bottles of harsh chemical bleach. On their website, the description reads: "Our Natural Bleach, also known as oxygen bleach, is a safe and non-toxic, biodegradable alternative to harsh chlorine bleach. When dissolved in water it releases oxygen which acts as a powerful stain remover and deodoriser. It breaks down harmlessly to oxygen, water and sodium carbonate. This miracle product brightens both whites and coloured fabrics and prevents them from yellowing. It’s great at removing organic stains like tea and coffee, fruit juice, food sauces, grass stains, pet stains, blood and red wine. Natural Bleach is also a great alternative to chlorine bleach in the bathroom. Dissolve in warm water to safely clean and disinfect the loo and clean drains. Also use to easily and safely clean and bleach sinks, baths, cups, mugs, tea and coffee pots."
Bathroom and kitchen cleanser balm
Mangle & Wringer also do a range of cleaning balms in aluminium tins that can be reused or recycled. We love the lavender scented bathroom balm – you simply rub it in with a clean cloth, rinse and wash off.
Ecover dishwasher tablets
These tablets are friendly to the waterways and the cardboard packaging is fully-recyclable. Ecover have this to say about the plastic-wrapped tablets on their website: "Dishwasher tablets don’t react well to the moisture in the air. In fact, it causes them to crumble. We want you to open your box to find tablets, not powder, so we wrap each tablet. The packages of our dishwasher tablets are made of polypropylene and each pack weighs only 0.3 grams.We have not found a dissolvable film that meets our standards for biodegradability. We are actively investigating an alternative to this type of packaging – we’re looking at plant based options that meet our standards. We’re not there yet but when we find an alternative we will switch."
e-cloth
These reusable, washable clothes clean multiple surfaces with just water. The starter pack includes an e-cloth for bathroom, kitchen, windows, multi-surface and glass polishing
Stainless steel straws
An obvious swap for their plastic, single-use cousins.
String bags
Don't spend 5p on another plastic bag – these string ones are perfect for your shopping and stylish too.
