Another possibility has been suggested that the origins of spring cleaning date back to the ancient Jewish practice of thoroughly cleansing the home in anticipation of the springtime festival of Passover (Pesach).
In remembrance of the Israelites' hasty flight from Egypt following their captivity there, during the week-long observance of the Passover holiday, there are strict prohibitions against eating or drinking anything which may have been leavened or fermented (Exodus 12:15, 19).
In North America and northern Europe, the custom found an especially practical value due to those regions' continental and wet climates.
For the same reason, modern rural households often use the month of March for cleaning projects involving the use of chemical products which generate fumes.
In Scotland, "New Year's cleaning" is traditionally done on Hogmanay (December 31), a practice now also widespread in Ireland and North America.
In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces with Diyas (oil lamps) and rangolis (colorful art circle patterns).