When it comes to maintaining impeccably cozy and tidy homes, Scandinavians got it to a T.
From what we’ve learned so far, the people from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have a few secrets in keeping their living spaces spotless and relaxing: they keep it simple, they strive for balance, and they practice daily habits that do not let dirt and clutter accumulate.
The Danish term hygge (hoo-ga) is an influential factor in their lifestyle. Their objective to achieve the “feeling of cozy contentment” encourages them to keep their homes clean and simple.
Start with decluttering
The Swedish concept “lagom,” which loosely translates to “not too much, not too little—just right,” basically teaches one to practice balance in life, initially by decluttering. For Scandinavians, however, decluttering does not simply mean throwing out things, it’s about giving space for much more important things and making decluttering a habit.
Instead of scheduling a day in a month to do this, dedicate a few minutes of the day to organize things. Put everything back to their proper places. It also helps to keep three boxes, each with designated label—keep, donate, throw away—where items with no permanent place can be put temporarily.
Another good rule of thumb is to follow the “one in, one out” rule, which means everything that’s been bought must replace another thing. For paperwork, follow the “one-touch rule” by sorting it as soon as it arrives by recycling, filing, or taking action.
Keep shoes by the door
One simple way Scandinavians keep their homes clean is by checking in their shoes by the door. Not walking inside with footwear worn outside keeps the dirt out.
Have extra indoor slippers waiting by the door, not only for the members of the household, but for guests as well. Get a stylish rack so shoes and slippers are well organized.
Capture—not scatter—dust
The most frustrating thing about cleaning using a duster is that it usually scatters, instead of capture, dust around. Scandis prefer using vacuum cleaner to leave surfaces dust-free.
Swedish appliance brand Electrolux offers a variety of vacuum cleaners, including the 2-in-1 Ergorapido Cordless Stick vacuum cleaner, which has an advanced allergy filter that captures 99.9 percent of micro dust. It also comes with a detachable hand-held unit useful for cleaning shelves, plus a motorized power brush with a wide nozzle great for picking up large crumbs.
The Ergorapido comes with high-performance lithium turbo powered battery for a longer running time of up to 50 minutes and a self-standing charging stand.
Don’t forget the cushions
Things that are often forgotten but are actually breeding ground of bacteria are couch cushions and mattresses. Start by putting them outside to be soaked under the sun. The heat from the sun eliminates the dampness and odor of the cushions acquired over time. Afterwards, thoroughly clean the cushions by vacuuming them to make sure no dust or crumbs are left.
The Electrolux UltraFlex Cyclonic Bagless Vacuum Cleaner is another great option for home as it provides powerful cleaning with its Turbo Cyclonic Design, which spins air with speeds as fast as 140km/h to separate the dust, and includes a HEPA13 Washable Exhaust filter which seals 99 percent of dust and allergen. It also comes with a Bed Pro Nozzle, which combines high-performance suction gentle enough for cleaning cushions and mattresses.
Clean regularly
General cleaning can seem overwhelming especially when there’s so much to cover. But portioning the tasks or doing it regularly makes it a whole lot easier. Schedule general cleaning at least once a month. Do a quick cleaning regularly, including some places that are frequently overlooked such as closet floors, top of cabinets and doors, undersides of furniture, and even the indoor plants.
Electrolux offers Flexio Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner as an all-around partner for everyday cleaning. It has a 20-liter dust container, and is great for handling spills and even cleaning things like carpet when it undergoes its shampooing.