Breathe Easy: How Spring Cleaning Can Reduce Baby Allergies (and Help Mum Relax Too)

Hello, Spring (and Hello, Sneezes)

Spring has arrived — hooray for longer days, blossoms on the trees, and finally being able to ditch a few layers of merino. But along with all that loveliness comes pollen floating through the air, dust deciding to show itself in every corner, and tiny noses sniffling away. Babies are especially sensitive, and let’s be honest, they spend half their lives face-first in carpets, blankets or cuddled up with that soft toy that hasn’t seen the washing machine since Christmas. No wonder they end up sniffly.

Why Baby Benefits from a Fresh Space

A little spring clean can make a huge difference. Babies’ airways are small and extra-sensitive, so things like dust mites, pet fluff and pollen can really irritate them. When you strip the cot, wash the swaddles, run the vacuum and actually wipe down those blinds you’ve been ignoring for two years — you’re not just tidying for the sake of it, you’re creating a cleaner, easier-to-breathe space for your little one. Even giving teddy a spin through the washing machine (pillowcase trick, thank me later) means cleaner cuddles and fewer sniffles. Small jobs, big impact.

How It Helps Mum Too

Here’s the thing: spring cleaning isn’t only about allergies — it’s also about sanity. Clutter has a sneaky way of making you feel more stressed, especially when you’re already running on minimal sleep and maximum caffeine. Walking into a room and seeing toys everywhere, laundry piles you could climb, and dust bunnies rolling across the floor can make your brain feel just as messy as the space around you.

But when you clear even a little patch of chaos, it feels so much lighter. Fresh sheets on the bed? Instant mood boost. Opening the windows and letting in some fresh air? Feels like a reset button. Even the act of moving around while cleaning can help lift your mood (yes, chasing toys with the vacuum totally counts as exercise). It’s not about achieving showroom perfection — it’s about creating little pockets of calm in the middle of motherhood madness.

Keeping It Real (Because We’re Mums, Not Marie Kondo)

Let’s be honest, a full top-to-bottom, colour-coded, Pinterest-worthy spring clean is not happening with a baby in the house. And that’s fine. The trick is to keep it manageable. Pick one room, or even one corner, and give yourself a pat on the back when it’s done. Do it in 10-minute bursts while the baby naps (or while they’re happily throwing blocks at the dog). Rope in your partner or a visiting grandparent if you can. Every little bit counts.

A Breath of Fresh Air

At the end of the day, spring cleaning isn’t about sparkling floors or perfectly folded washing. It’s about creating a space where your baby can breathe easier and where you can feel a little calmer. By clearing out the dust and clutter, you’re not just helping with allergies — you’re giving yourself a mental reset too.

So pop on some music, crack open the windows, and tackle what you can. Whether it’s washing the cot sheets, finally dealing with that mountain of toys, or just vacuuming up yesterday’s rice cracker explosion, every small step makes a difference. And if all else fails? Light a candle, sit back with a cuppa, and remind yourself: even clean-ish is still a win.