Städdag Is the Swedish Cleaning Ritual That Could Change How You Clean Forever

Looking to refresh your cleaning routine? Embrace the Swedish concept of städdag. That is, a dedicated cleaning day to declutter, tidy up, wash, and sanitize whatever needs refresh. Städdag, which aptly translates to "cleaning day" in Swedish, is a ritual based around the goal of making your home a more comfortable retreat for you and a welcoming space for others.

Not totally unlike the social media trend of a "Sunday reset," this is done through weekly refreshes, ideally performed at the same time each week. Städdag can introduce structure and intentionality into your cleaning practice.

How to Get Started

Not to be confused with Swedish death cleaning (a practice all about decluttering and keeping only the most essential and precious items), städdag helps by adding mindful structure and simplicity to your routine.

To start a städdag habit, all you need is to designate a day on your calendar, set a time limit, and get to cleaning. A städdag of just 30 minutes in the most used spaces of your home can make a big difference when practiced regularly. 

Following Swedish tradition, städdag typically takes place on Saturdays, but you can choose whatever day works best for you. The important thing is that you keep it consistent. This structure can make chores feel less daunting and help keep your home in order.

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Don't Forget: Remain Mindful

Städdag is not just about the task of cleaning, but enjoying the mindfulness aspect of the process. So don't forget to remain present.

Notice yourself perpetually dusting the same unused areas of your home? How can you make that space more useful or enjoyable? Are you washing the same clothes every week? Donate the pieces you never wear. Constantly putting away the same clutter? What organizational systems can you create to stop it from stacking up in the first place?

Make It a Communal Activity

Städdag was never meant to be a solo activity. Traditionally, städdag is a communal event where residents of a community care for their shared space together. This isn't seen as a burden, but as an opportunity to take pride in the community and spend time with one another.

Similarly, if you live with others, spending time together cleaning can help get communal spaces in order in a fun way. This can also help divvy up tasks based on strengths or preferences—so you’re not stuck vacuuming every week or folding fitted sheets every week.

Consider teaming up with a neighbor to swap spaces or work together on tasks. Organizing a friend’s closet is so much more intriguing than sorting through your own wardrobe. You can also plan to catch up with a faraway friend via phone or video chat during overlapping städdag times, so you can chat while you scrub.  

Städdag can also be implemented in public and community spaces, like a trash pickup in parks or the beach. You can also suggest a time at the end of each week at the office to clean up workspaces and shared areas.

Städdag Tips to Make the Most of the Practice

Here's how to best borrow some of that städdag energy into your own routine. Keep these points in mind as you put the practice to use.

• Mark it on the calendar like an actual event—because it is.
• Instead of obsessing over your closet, focus on common spaces that everyone who enters your home uses: the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and entryway. These are the places that set the tone for your home.
• Keep your städdag manageable. No need to deep-clean the oven and reorganize the garage on the same day. Städdag is about steady maintenance, not burnout.
• End your städdag with a reward for the work completed. If you're on your own, treat yourself to a cozy dinner or a fresh bouquet. If it was a community effort, consider bringing fika (in Swedish tradition, coffee or tea and a sweet treat) to share. It's a great time to catch up with loved ones or neighbors and maybe even enjoy the fruits of your communal labor.