‘Spring cleaning’ used to mean weekends spent scrubbing every nook and cranny. But fast-forward to 2025, and multitasking with back-to-back meetings, school runs, family logistics, and social commitments is the new norm. South African homes, and families are increasingly time-poor. ‘Spring cleaning’ in 2025 has become less about elbow grease and more about reclaiming time, balance, and energy.
“One of the biggest reasons South Africans are so time poor is because work now spills into what used to be personal time,” says Bianca Leonard, Marketing Manager at lifestyle technology company, Solenco. In 2022, 62% of South African remote workers reported working up to 12 extra hours per month and in 2023, 60% of employees said they struggled with work-life balance. “More time spent on deadlines (and traffic) means less time for household tasks and precious “me-or-us” moments,” says Leonard.
Now, wellness is increasingly defined by small, intentional moments.
- Holistic health is a top priority: An Ipsos survey found that 92% of South Africans agree they need to do more for their physical and mental well-being, which is well above the global averages of 84% (physical) and 81% (mental).
- Accessible, low-cost rituals are rising: According to Bateleur’s Vantage Point survey, 59% of South Africans ensure they get enough sleep, 59% engage in light physical activity, 54% spend time outdoors, and 50% pursue hobbies they enjoy.
- Wellness is becoming normal, not exceptional: A June 2025 report highlighted that Millennials and Gen Z in South Africa increasingly seek therapy (55% have done so, with 40% doing so in 2024), and wellness routines now include sleep rituals, step counting, time in nature, and open conversations about mental health.
With these priorities in mind amidst work and family, that doesn’t mean chores are being ignored. “It’s about understanding your needs and using smart technology to help fill the gap,” says Leonard.
“Just as the air fryer changed home cooking forever, we’re seeing a similar transformation in how households manage chores. Today’s savvy consumers expect appliances to be smart, energy-efficient, and seamlessly integrated into their lifestyles – and to work hard, so that they themselves don’t have to spend precious evenings and weekends cooking and cleaning,” she says.
Think robotic vacuum cleaners that map your home and clean your floors on a schedule, air purifiers that monitor air quality and adjust their settings automatically, and dehumidifiers that can track and target moisture-heavy areas. “These solutions don’t just lighten the load, they create healthier, more comfortable homes that are built for living, not just surviving,” says Leonard.
For South Africans, that matters. Damp coastal homes, Highveld dust, and allergy season all take their toll on our health and our unpaid workload. Add the constant juggle of work and family, and it’s easy to see why many households are swapping manual chores for technology that quietly works in the background.
With the right mindset and the right technology in place, spring cleaning becomes less about chores and more about choices. Not about what you should be scrubbing, but how you’ll outsource the work, and what you’ll do with the hours you get back. “Redirect saved time into a budget reset or a long-overdue catch-up with friends. Or simply spend a lazy Sunday with family, knowing your home is fresh and clean, while you, your loved ones and your home are cared for,” says Leanord.