Why Spring Cleaning is Different for Families in Wet Climates

Ah, spring. That magical time of year when the snow starts to melt, the days get longer, and if you have kids…they come home muddier and wetter than ever. For families who live in climates with lingering snow, rain, and plenty of puddles, spring cleaning isn’t just a seasonal chore – it’s a survival strategy.

If you’ve ever opened a closet only to be hit by the musty smell of damp boots or tripped over a pile of soggy gloves or shoes in your mudroom, WE HAVE BEEN THERE. Spring cleaning with small kids (and their gear) can feel like a losing battle. But with a little strategy and the right tools, you can reclaim your space and your sanity.

Here at Hedgehog Dryer HQ, I speak from personal experience. In Hemsedal, Norway, we get snow and/or rain…a lot. We have 5 kids and seem to own an unreasonable amount of gear – from ice skates or roller skates, hiking boots to ski boots – even in sizes that bigger kids have outgrown but do not fit the smaller ones yet. On top of that, I work from home but am unable to think clearly without a relatively clean, organized space.

Here are some practical, parent-tested spring cleaning tips to help you tackle the seasonal clutter, streamline your routines, and actually enjoy springtime outdoors with your kiddos. Some are quick fixes, some require a little more time, but hopefully you will find a tip or two that help you relax and breathe in that wonderfully fresh springtime air.

6 Smart Spring Cleaning Tips for Families

  1. Start with the Gear: Keep, Donate, Toss

Kids outgrow everything in the blink of an eye. Start your spring refresh by pulling out all winter and spring gear—boots, jackets, gloves, snow pants, rain suits—and sort it into three piles: keep, donate, and toss.

• Keep what still fits and is in good condition.
• Donate gently-used items that are too small or hand down to friends or family with kids.
• Toss anything torn beyond repair or permanently soaked in mystery mud.

Involve your kids in the process if they’re old enough. It’s a great way to teach responsibility and decision-making…our oldest kids now love doing this themselves with their clothes and their gear.

We do this gear overhaul about twice a year – once in spring and again in autumn.

  2. Upgrade Your Drying Game with Hedgehog Dryer

Let’s talk drying. Because in wet climates, drying is organizing.

Hedgehog Dryers aren’t your average dryers. They’re high-powered, space-saving solutions that are a game-changer for families with kids and gear galore. These dryers are designed to handle boots, shoes, gloves, gear, and more, all at once. Drying gear for kids FAST is a big win, and these boot and glove dryers are speedy!

For me as a parent, what really sets them apart is that they don’t just dry…they organize.

• Install them in your mudroom or entryway, and boom – your drying station becomes a sleek, vertical gear hub.
• Say bye ( “Ha det!” in Norwegian) to piles of damp boots and mismatched gloves on the floor.
• Everything has a place, and everything dries faster – so your crew is ready for the next adventure.

  3. Create “Out the Door” Zones

I have an organizing hack for our 2 youngest kiddos, who are both in daycare and spend a lot of time outdoors. As they walk in the house after daycare, I put all their dry clothing layers and gear – outdoor suits, fleece or wool layers, jackets, rain boots, etc. – in a big, colorful bag by the door. (Wet items go on the dryer, then in the bag once they’re dry.) When I head out in the morning, I just grab it on my way to the car with my kids and my coffee. 

This creates a go-to grab-and-go zone and reduces morning chaos.

  4. Rotate Toys and Outdoor Gear

Spring is a great time to declutter indoor toys, too. If you have never done it, it may be worth a try with a few big plastic bins you can swap out from storage every few months.

For outdoor gear, make sure bikes, balls, and sidewalk chalk are clean and easy to access.

  5. Get the Whole Family Involved

Even toddlers can help with age-appropriate chores like:

• Sorting laundry
• Wiping boots
• Matching socks and gloves
• Delivering dirty dishes

I have a couple projects I call “shoes-a-palooza” and “sock-a-palooza” trying to match up everything we have and make sure it fits. Make it fun – play music, set a timer, or offer a reward or snacks for teamwork. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be all drudgery (and the results feel SO GOOD).

  6. Think Long-Term Systems

What makes spring cleaning really stick? Systems that make staying clean easier. Hedgehog Dryer helps create one of those systems – transforming entryways and mudrooms into efficient, clutter-free command centers for your family’s gear.

You’ll spend less time drying, searching, and sorting – and more time doing what you love: hiking, skiing, biking, puddle-jumping, or just being outside.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos, Enjoy the Season

Spring with kids (and spring cleaning with kids) can be messy, chaotic, and incredibly fun. Don’t let the wet gear and muddy floors steal your joy. With a bit of strategy – and smart tools like Hedgehog Dryer – you can embrace the season with open arms (and dry boots).

Happy spring cleaning—and even happier adventuring!

…

What is on your family spring cleaning checklist? What are your mudroom organization essentials? Have you tried Hedgehog Dryer boot and glove dryers? We would love to hear from you!

Ready to reclaim your mudroom? Check out the Hedgehog Dryer Premium Series and transform your gear chaos into calm.