Why Spring Cleaning Is Essential on Large Private Estates

UHNW estates often include:

• Multiple reception rooms
• Guest suites and secondary accommodation
• Staff accommodation
• Outbuildings, offices and leisure facilities
• Extensive storage, linen rooms and utility areas

A spring clean allows household teams to:

• Deep clean areas inaccessible during the winter
• Preserve antiques, artworks and high-value furnishings
• Prepare guest accommodation for increased occupancy
• Reset household systems and supplies
• Identify maintenance or staffing requirements early

For estates employing a domestic couple, this period is particularly important, as responsibilities are often shared across interior and exterior operations.

Planning a Spring Clean with a Domestic Couple 

Domestic couples are uniquely placed to manage spring cleaning on private estates due to their combined skill sets and hands-on approach.

Clear Allocation of Responsibilities

A well-matched domestic couple will typically divide duties such as:

• Housekeeper: interior deep cleaning, laundry, wardrobe management, guest rooms
• Houseman / estate all-rounder: external areas, storage spaces, maintenance oversight, logistics

Clear planning ensures efficiency without duplication of effort.

Creating an Estate-Wide Cleaning Schedule

For UHNW homes, spring cleaning should be approached on a zone-by-zone basis:

• Main house interiors
• Guest cottages or secondary dwellings
• Staff accommodation
• Offices, gyms and leisure facilities
• Garages, cellars and storage rooms

An experienced domestic couple will often draft or refine this schedule themselves, reporting to the principal or estate manager.

Key Spring Cleaning Priorities for UHNW Estates

Deep Interior Cleaning

Domestic staff should focus on areas outside the daily cleaning routine, including:

• Skirting boards, cornicing and high-level surfaces
• Behind and beneath large furniture
• Inside cupboards, wardrobes and built-in storage
• Kitchen appliances, larders and pantries
• Bathroom grout, seals and ventilation systems

This level of attention preserves finishes and maintains the home’s overall condition.

Wardrobe, Linen & Storage Management

Spring is an ideal time for domestic staff to:

• Rotate seasonal wardrobes
• Organise walk-in wardrobes and dressing rooms
• Review linen inventories
• Identify items for professional cleaning, repair or replacement
• Streamline storage rooms and utility spaces

For principals who travel frequently, this ensures everything is guest-ready at all times.

Specialist & Outsourced Cleaning

Domestic couples often coordinate external contractors for:

• Carpet and rug cleaning
• Upholstery and curtain cleaning
• Polished stone and wood floor maintenance
• Exterior and high-level window cleaning

Having a trusted domestic couple oversee these services ensures discretion, access control and quality assurance.

Exterior Areas & Estate Preparation

Spring cleaning on private estates extends well beyond the interior.

Domestic couples often assist with:

• Preparing terraces, patios and outdoor furniture
• Cleaning outdoor entertaining areas
• Organising sheds, garages and equipment stores
• Coordinating with gardeners and grounds staff
• Preparing guest accommodation for seasonal visitors

This holistic approach ensures the entire estate functions smoothly as activity increases.

Supporting Your Household Team

Spring cleaning on a UHNW estate is demanding. Supporting your domestic staff is key to success:

• Allow sufficient time for deep cleaning
• Provide professional-grade equipment and products
• Bring in temporary domestic staff where required
• Ensure staff accommodation and working areas are also refreshed

A supported household team delivers consistently higher standards.

Reviewing Domestic Staffing in Spring

Spring is also an ideal time to reassess household staffing structures. Many principals find they need:

• A permanent domestic couple
• Additional housekeepers for large estates
• A house manager to oversee staff and contractors
• Seasonal or temporary domestic staff

Town & Country Domestic Staff specialises in recruiting experienced domestic couples and senior household staff for UHNW estates across the UK and internationally.

Final Thoughts

For ultra-high-net-worth private estates, spring cleaning is not a one-off task — it is a strategic reset. With the right domestic staff, particularly an experienced domestic couple, estates are prepared, protected and perfectly presented for the months ahead.

If you would like advice on recruiting a domestic couple, structuring estate staffing, or seasonal household planning, our team would be delighted to assist.