spring-cleaning

[ spring-klee-ning ]

/ ˈsprɪŋˈkli nɪŋ /

a complete cleaning of a place, as a home, done traditionally in the spring of the year.

the activity of giving a place a complete cleaning: We've been involved in spring-cleaning and are exhausted.

Origin of spring-cleaning

First recorded in 1855–60

spring-clean

[ spring-kleen ]

/ ˈsprɪŋˈklin /

to subject (a place) to a spring-cleaning.

First recorded in 1890–95

He would bring back the spring-cleaning requisites on his bicycle that evening.

If Winter Don't |Barry Pain
How can I leave mother in the middle of all this spring-cleaning?

The Regent |E. Arnold Bennett
This is the first intimation we have received that Spring-cleaning is over.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, April 14, 1920 |Various
The whole of the painted woodwork of the house is subjected to spring-cleaning whatever its appearance with regard to dirt may be.

Household Administration |Various

Then the towns of Colon and Panama were handed over to a campaign of spring-cleaning such as the world has never witnessed.

The Panama Canal |J. Saxon Mills

spring-clean

to clean (a house) thoroughly: traditionally at the end of the winter

an instance of spring-cleaning

spring-cleaning, noun