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After months spent indoors (tracking in dirt and having god knows what pile up), warm weather innately gives folks the itch to clean and start the season fresh. Spring cleaning, as it’s known, is a “seasonal refresh for your home, giving you an opportunity to clear out the dust, grime and clutter that accumulated over the winter months,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
The reset that comes through spring cleaning, Mock adds, “makes your home cleaner, healthier and more inviting, setting a positive tone for the months ahead.”
But when does spring cleaning start? And how can you prep for the seasonal overhaul? Here, Mock and other cleaning pros offer insight on all things spring cleaning.
Key takeaways
- Spring cleaning is more involved than daily or weekly house maintenance duties.
- Technically, spring cleaning is the same time each year, but it’s not too late to start!
- There are a number of ways to make spring cleaning easier, including decluttering first.
When does spring cleaning start?
The start of spring cleaning is “an annual deep cleaning of the home that usually occurs during the spring months, but timing can vary,” notes Deep Johal, a professional cleaning specialist and owner of Sunny Side Clean Team in Volusia County, Florida.
That being said, each year the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) designates a “cleaning week” that starts on the fourth Sunday in March. (This year, cleaning week started on March 23). The ACI also has a theme each year, with the 2025 theme being Cleaning for Health.
What is spring cleaning?
Unlike general home upkeep, which is mostly to maintain appearances, spring cleaning, according to Johal, helps “maintain hygiene and air quality in your home by getting rid of dust, mold spores and allergens that settle right through winter when your windows are shut.”
“For obvious reasons, you can’t deep clean every area of your home once a week, so spring cleaning helps you organize your time better.”
— Alex Varela, general manager, Dallas Maids
To do this, he continues, you need to take on a deeper-than-usual clean. “It’s about scrubbing and organizing neglected areas of the home,” Johal says, adding that, for him, that means tasks such as cleaning behind and beneath heavy furniture, dusting vents and light fixtures and washing the windows and screens that haven’t been touched in months.
Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids, adds that, with spring cleaning, you use “more energy and stronger cleaning products.”
“For obvious reasons, you can’t deep clean every area of your home once a week, so spring cleaning helps you organize your time better,” he says.
Benefits of spring cleaning
In addition to reducing allergens, mold and dust in your home, spring cleaning can extend the life-span of certain belongings or help catch maintenance issues in your home before it’s too late, Johal notes. “For instance,” he says, “you may spot a slow leak behind the sink while you are cleaning under the cabinet.”
Perhaps the biggest benefit of spring cleaning, Mock and Johal both note, is the mental and emotional boost that comes with it.
“Research shows that a clean and organized home has a positive impact on our mood and energy levels,” notes Mock.
“Spring cleaning brings about feelings of renewal and achievement,” adds Johal. “For example, decluttering closets can relieve stress and improve sleep — a disorganized environment negatively affects mental well-being.”
How to prep for spring cleaning
Because it’s a big job, preparation is key. You don’t, after all, want to spend half of your designated cleaning time figuring out what you’re going to do and need. Here’s what the experts suggest:
1. Write a checklist
“Before getting started, I suggest you write up a checklist so, room by room, you don’t get too overwhelmed or miss any crucial spots,” Johal says. To make things even easier, check out our spring cleaning checklist, which lists tasks room-by-room.
“Having a plan not only breaks the work into manageable chunks but also gives you that extra sense of accomplishment as you cross items off the list,” notes Mock.
2. Declutter
One of the most important first steps is decluttering, says Mock. “Before even pulling out the cleaning supplies, go through each room and sort your belongings into what to keep, donate or discard,” she says. “Once your space is cleared, you can focus on detailed cleaning.”
3. Gather supplies
According to Mock, making sure you’re stocked up on all the essentials is key. This can include the following:
- All-purpose cleaner.
- Glass cleaner.
- Disinfecting wipes.
- Microfiber cloths.
- Broom and dustpan.
- Vacuum. (“A HEPA vacuum is especially helpful for improving air quality,” notes Mock.)
- Mop and bucket.
- Toilet cleaner with a brush.
- Rubber gloves.
- Sponges and scrubbers.
Since you’ll be working with different materials and surfaces, Varela suggests using multipurpose cleaners, either commercial or DIY. “You will save time and energy because you won’t have to switch every five minutes to a different product,” he notes.
“Having a plan not only breaks the work into manageable chunks but also gives you that extra sense of accomplishment as you cross items off the list.”
— Marla Mock, president, Molly Maid by Neighborly
4. Create a supply kit
Another way to save time? Create a mini supply kit. “Before taking on a room, assemble a cleaning kit of necessary supplies and carry it with you to reduce trips to the supply closet,” Mock suggests.
5. Be time wise
Consider creating time slots for each room, Johal adds, in order to stay on task and motivated while not burning out.
Varela suggests designating 20-25 minutes for cleaning, and 5-10 minutes for resting. “Keep in mind,” he notes, “spring cleaning usually takes at least two hours so it’s important to keep momentum.”
Tasks included in spring cleaning
Spring cleaning can look different for everyone, but here are some of the bigger tasks that may be included:
- Cleaning appliances.
- Deep cleaning carpets.
- Organizing pantries and closets.
- Scrubbing tile grout.
- Cleaning under and behind furniture.
- Flipping mattresses.
- Rotating seasonal clothing.
Spring cleaning tips from the pros
Looking for a few insider cleaning tips? Here are some of the best hacks from Johal, Mock and Varela:
Use a pillowcase to clean ceiling fans. Use a pillowcase to trap dust inside instead of all over the room — just slip the case over the blade and pull it.
Use baking soda and vinegar on windowsills. “Sprinkle the tracks of windows and sliding doors with baking soda, spray with white vinegar, let it foam, and scrub with an old toothbrush until it looks new again,” says Varela.
Wash the shower curtain and liner with towels. These, Varela says, are useful scrubbing tools.
Use olive oil on steel. “After cleaning stainless steel appliances with a degreasing solution of dish soap and warm water, polish them with a little olive oil on a microfiber cloth,” notes Varela.
Clean top to bottom, left to right. “This method keeps dust and debris from falling on areas you’ve already cleaned and helps ensure nothing gets missed,” says Mock. “It’s also a great way to stay systematic and reduce backtracking.”
Vacuum strategically. Start in the farthest corner of the room and work your way toward the exit to prevent footprints
Don’t forget the garage. Garages tend to accumulate clutter during the colder months. “Sort items into keep, donate and discard piles, and organize with labeled bins, shelves or pegboards,” Mock says. “A well-organized garage makes everything easier to access and keeps seasonal transitions stress-free.”
Enjoy your space once it’s done. Homes are for living, so once you’re done spring cleaning, be sure to enjoy the space. “A little reward is always a good idea once you are done,” Johal says. “Maybe a little dinner to celebrate, a bath or simply just relax in your freshly cleaned space with a cup of tea. You have earned it!”
