When was the last time you vacuumed your drapes, cleaned the inside of your pantry or deep cleaned your mattress? We get it. It can be tough to fit in a good deep cleaning as we move through our busy lives. That’s why spring cleaning is so essential — because it’s an opportunity to zero in on the cleaning tasks many of us tend to overlook.
“Spring cleaning is more than just the general cleaning and tidying we do week-to-week,” says Laura Price, founder and creative director of The Home Organisation. “It also doesn’t just relate to cleaning; it could be decluttering, organizing or making home improvements — anything that will make a big change in our homes and to our lives.”
Getting started with spring cleaning can be daunting, but a spring cleaning checklist can help you figure out which tasks to focus on first and whether it makes sense to hire a professional cleaner for some (or all) of your to-dos. Here’s a spring cleaning list that covers all areas of your home, along with some expert-approved spring cleaning tips to make the job easier, more efficient and less overwhelming.
“As a professional organizer, I view spring cleaning as a time of renewal and refreshment in our living spaces.”
— Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer of Professional Organizer New Orleans
The benefits of spring cleaning
“As a professional organizer, I view spring cleaning as a time of renewal and refreshment in our living spaces,” Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer of Professional Organizer New Orleans. Here are some of the benefits of spring cleaning, according to our experts.
Takes your regular cleaning tasks to the next level
Spring cleaning goes beyond routine cleaning, Parks says. It’s a time to dive deeper into organizing your home, getting rid of items you no longer want or need, and dusting, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you don’t normally get to during your regular home cleaning routines.
Increases the functionality of your space
Spring clean isn’t just about cleaning your home, “it’s about making key changes to a space and how it functions,” Price says. For example, while you might clean your kitchen surfaces weekly, during a spring cleaning you might end up removing everything from the cupboards and then cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing them — a complete reset of sorts, Price describes.
Helps you plan and prepare for the busier months ahead
Winter tends to be a quieter season, one with fewer plans and more time indoors. “For many of my clients, especially those with young children, spring cleaning is essential for the busy summer months coming up,” Parks says. “It’s a time when we can systematically go through each area of the home, ensuring everything is clean but also well-organized and functional.”
Offers protection from allergens
Spring is a time when outdoor allergies ramp up, and pollen and other irritants can drift into your home, triggering allergies. When spring allergens are combined with common indoor allergens — like dust and mold — it can be a perfect storm for a major allergy attack, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Doing a thorough dusting and attacking any mold build-up in places like bathrooms and basements is essential as allergy season hits. The ACAAI also recommends changing air filters in the spring (or every three months) and using a vacuum with a HEPA filature to clear out dust and dust mites.
Room by room spring cleaning checklist
Ready to get right down into it? Here’s the ultimate spring cleaning check-list — arranged by room and featuring expert cleaning tips — to help you get started.
Living room
- Dust furniture.
- Dust hard-to-reach shelves. Consider investing in a high-quality extended duster for tight spaces, such as high shelves or corners of ceilings, says Vanessa Terra Bossart, owner of Green Terra Cleaning.
- Vacuum and spot clean upholstery.
- Clean pillows and throw blankets.
- Dust lampshades and ceiling fans.
- Clean windows.
- Vacuum and clean floors. Consider shampooing or professionally cleaning carpet and rugs.
- Wipe down your TV. Sara San Angelo, professional house cleaner and blogger at The Cleaning Lady, recommends using a cleaner designed specifically for screens, as Windex can damage your TV.
- Vacuum and clean under furniture. Some people forget to clean underneath the furniture, so expect to find quite a bit of cobwebs and dust there, San Angelo adds.
Kitchen
- Deep clean the oven.
- Declutter and deep clean fridge and freezer. Be sure to keep food at a safe temperature while you work.
- Dust fridge coils. Unplug the refrigerator first, and consult your user manual for detailed instructions.
- Sweep and mop beneath large appliances.
- Clean cabinets and drawers. Remove the dishes and utensils, dust and disinfect surfaces.
- Clean small kitchen appliances.
- Clean out and wipe down the pantry shelves.
- Clean the outside of the fridge.
- Work on getting rid of old stains. A solution of baking soda and water is effective for stains, particularly on surfaces such as sinks and countertops, says Terra Bossart.
Bathroom
- Declutter bathroom surfaces. Discard any unused or expired cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, conditions or other products.
- Dust and clean any bathroom décor or wall art.
- Wash towels and other linens.
- Wash or replace the bath mat.
- Deep clean the toilet.
- Deep clean the sink.
- Deep clean the bath and shower.
- Scrub grout. An old toothbrush works great for getting in between tiles.
- Clean or replace shower liner.
Home office
- Clean computer, printers, phones and other equipment.
- Organize and declutter papers.
- Organize and declutter office supplies.
- Dust surfaces.
- Vacuum or sweep floors.
Bedrooms
- Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and comforters. Don’t forget duvet covers and dust ruffles!
- Clean out and declutter your closet and dresser.
- Vacuum under your bed.
- Remove unwanted items from under your bed.
- Clean windows and blinds or curtains.
- Deep clean your mattress. Start by vacuuming the surface to remove dust, then spot clean any stains, suggests Nicola Davies, co-owner and founder of Tranquil Home. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it up. The baking soda will help deodorize and absorb moisture.
Outdoor spaces
- Power wash driveway.
- Clean outdoor furniture.
- Declutter/replace furniture that is in disrepair.
- Reorganize and declutter your garage.
Tips to help with spring cleaning motivation
Sometimes getting started with spring cleaning is the hardest part. This is usually because the job feels so big that people don’t know how to begin, even when they have a chore list. Hiring a cleaner is always a great option. Additionally, Parks’ advice is to just take it step by step.
“It’s better to start small so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.”
— Olivia Parks
“My top tip for those who struggle to organize or clean their homes is to focus on one area at a time,” she says. “This could mean one room, one closet or even one drawer in your kitchen. It’s better to start small so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.” Parks also recommends focusing on the positive accomplishments you’ve made after you’ve cleaned each space, before moving on to the next space.
Finally, she suggests decluttering a few areas of your home before purchasing any new organizing products. “Products can help, but I often see people purchasing organizing products before going through the items in a space, leading to more clutter,” she advises.
The bottom line
Having a spring cleaning checklist can make spring cleaning more manageable and help you come up with a spring cleaning plan that works for you and your family. But it’s still common to feel a bit in-over-your head, even once you have your spring cleaning list in hand. After all, it’s a big job!
Remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Hiring a professional house cleaner or home organizer is always an option, and it’s more affordable than you might realize. Take it slow, get help when you need it and prepare to reap the benefits of a freshly cleaned, organized and decluttered space.