It wouldn’t be spring without a thorough and necessary analysis deep cleaning of your house. Now is the time to put on your favorite playlist, break out your cleaning carts, and put on some rubber gloves to clean the areas of your home that don’t get regular maintenance. Let’s face it: spring cleaning can be a daunting task, no matter the size of your home. If you’re not sure where to start, this spring cleaning checklist can help. Instead of looking at it as a huge, daunting task, we’ve broken it down, room by room, to take the guesswork out of your own spring cleaning.
As you read our checklist, remember to allow a reasonable amount of time for each task and be sure to reward yourself after each session. That you offer yourself flowers or maybe even go so far as to buy it spring accessory that you’ve watched, little treats will help you keep going and motivate you to keep going.
Your spring cleaning will take a few days, so plan your cleaning and rewards accordingly. Imagine your home beautifully clean and read on for the ultimate spring cleaning checklist.
Featured image of our interview with Sanne Vloet.
Cleaning Tasks for Each Room
Dust
There’s no escaping dust, and starting your spring cleaning with this relatively simple task is a great way to start small and build momentum. Proceed from top to bottom. This includes the tops of your tallest shelves, ceiling fans, window frames, light fixtures, blinds and all your surfaces. The dust will undoubtedly start to spread towards the floor, but don’t worry, just have your vacuum ready once you’re done.
Empty
Thoroughly vacuum your floors and carpets to pick up dirt, crumbs, and anything else that has settled on the floor after dusting. This is also a great time to vacuum not only the floors, but the upholstery as well. Use a handheld vacuum cleaner if you have one or accessories to vacuum the sofa cushions, lounge chairs, ottomans and mattresses in your rooms. Remove the cushions from your sofa and vacuum up any dirt and debris that may have fallen on them over time, and be sure to vacuum under the furniture as well.
Swab
After vacuuming, a quick mop of your hardwood floors will keep them clean and shiny. However, it is essential to know what type of floors you have and how best to clean them. You want to take care of your tiles if you have them, and you don’t want to oversaturate laminate floors to prevent warping, for example.
Clean the baseboards
An often overlooked aspect of your home are the baseboards, which can very easily accumulate dust and grime over time. Take a damp microfiber cloth or sponge and gently wipe away the debris. You’ll be sure to notice the subtle but striking difference that clean baseboards make.
Change smoke detector batteries
Every room in your home should have a smoke detector, and now is a great time to make sure it is in good working order. Definitely include them in your dusting, and while you’re at it, replace the batteries with new ones.
Clean the windows
Give your windows a little extra elbow grease this spring. Wipe windows with window cleaner, clean screens with dish soap and water, and dust window sills. If you have curtains or draperies, throw them in the washing machine or send them to the dry cleaners. Be sure to read the care label and follow the steps accordingly.
Cleaning tasks for specific rooms
Kitchen
The kitchen is of course a room that we use daily. That you are meal preparation, cooking dinner or supervising after-school homework sessions: your kitchen would probably like a refresh. Pay attention to tasks that are often neglected, like cleaning the oven or small appliances you use daily like your coffee maker.
- Thoroughly clean the refrigerator and freezer, both inside and out
- Vacuum Refrigerator Coils
- Organize the pantry and throw out expired foods
- Thoroughly clean the oven
- Clean the stove
- Run a cleaning cycle for the dishwasher
- Wipe the microwave
- Clean kitchen cabinets
- Wash floor mats if you have them
- Declutter counters
- Clean kitchen appliances, especially those you use regularly
- Refresh dishcloths and sponges
- Clean the sink and garbage disposal
- Wipe out your trash can
Bathroom
The bathroom is a magnet for germs and bacteria if it is not cleaned regularly. Use this checklist as a guide for your thorough spring cleaning that goes beyond daily and weekly maintenance. Really get into your cabinets and clean up any stray hairs, spills or dust. Scrub every square inch of the sink and get rid of the mess. Cleaning the bathroom isn’t the most glamorous task, but can certainly be one of the most rewarding.
- Deep clean the shower, toilet and sink
- Throw away expired makeup and toiletries
- Wash the shower curtain
- Wash bath mats and towels
- Clean cabinets and knobs
- Replace Shower Liner
- Wipe the mirrors
- Scrubbing the tile grout
Living room
Most living room deep cleaning is on the universal list (dusting, vacuuming, window cleaning, etc.), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t small tasks that need to be done here too. In addition to spot cleaning and vacuuming the couch and other furniture, really get into every nook and cranny of your living room. This list breaks it all down.
- Dust behind the TV
- Dust the air vents
- Wipe the light fixtures
- Folding sofa cushions
- Wash cushions and blankets
- Cleaning stains on furniture
- Shampoo carpets if necessary
Bedroom
If you haven’t yet freshened up your bedroom for spring, now is the perfect time to break out your warm weather bedding. Strip the bed first before tackling the universal cleaning tasks listed at the beginning of the article. Give yourself enough time to closet cleaning also – I would dedicate an entire day or afternoon to this task.
- Wash all bedding, including comforters, bed skirts and pillows
- Organize closets and throw away or donate unused clothes
- Declutter under the bed
- Wash your mattress protector (be sure to read the care label)
- Flip your mattress
Home Office
A clean and tidy workspace always does wonders for my productivity. You’re undoubtedly focused on deadlines and work projects when you’re in your home office, so it makes sense that this space is ready for a deep clean. You’ll thank yourself later when you walk into a sparkling clean workspace!
- Declutter papers and filing
- Organize office supplies
- Wipe electronic devices
- Disinfect your keyboard
Garage and outdoor spaces
Spring cleaning isn’t just about the inside of your home. Warmer weather means it’s time to spruce up your outdoor living spaces. Prepare your patio for summer barbecues, add some curb appeal to your porch, and declutter your garage. Especially since your garage can be a dumping ground for various objects that you don’t really know what to do with: taking the time to empty this space will breathe new life into it.
- Water the driveway
- Clean patio floors
- Wash outdoor furniture
- Add some curb appeal
- Declutter the garage (tools, storage items, seasonal decor, etc.)
- Clean the garage door